Need help unlocking All Steel cabinet

[BuickFarmer]

found a pretty good deal ($50) on a mint condition All Steel Equipment double door cabinet but there's just one problem, it is locked and they do not have the key for it. What are my alternatives? I guess I could buy it, take it to a locksmith and let them unlock it but gotta feeling then it wouldn't be such a great deal. I would have no problem loosing the locking capability so can I just drill into the lock in the handle and it will open or ????
Told them I would be back tomorrow if I could get some answers as to how to get into it.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Wow, to get those for 50 bucks I would be willing to break a few steel bits drilling out the lock cylinders. Good Luck.

 

[Retrosmith]

If it's a regular key, I'd try a bump key before I drill it. Look it up on YouTube if you're unfamiliar.

 

[fteufert]

is there a number on the lock cylinder? Maybe you can order a key.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Having a locksmith do it probably isn't all that expensive. I had all 6 of the freebie cabinets in my garage keyed alike when I got them and it invlolved having some of them unlocked. I think the whole thing cost around $25.00 and that includes having 3 other cabinets rekeyed. If you don't want to do that and you don't want to drill it out, maybe you can push the hinge pins out. I see the hinges are external.


Tommy

 

[PugetDude]

Buy it, then worry about getting it open.
Might be full of gold bullion.

 

[GRUMPYR]

Flex the case to one side till the door pins disengage. Then re-lock once you have access to the inside.

 

[txvwnut]

A lot of cabinets locks use just a few key codes, if there is a number on the lock just go to a locksmith and they should be able to cut a key from the number code. Also if you have freinds that have campers or tool boxes on their trucks ask to borrow their keys to the locks. The one code that sticks in my mind is CH751, I don't know how many locks we have at work that use that code.

 

[Richard Cranium]

And that style of lock is one of the easiest locks to pick, Watch the youtube video on how to pick a lock, You can do it. Rich

 

[ishiboo]

Yeah, you can pick that yourself with some paperclips.

 

[kjdhawkhill]

A lot of cabinets locks use just a few key codes, if there is a number on the lock just go to a locksmith and they should be able to cut a key from the number code. Also if you have freinds that have campers or tool boxes on their trucks ask to borrow their keys to the locks. The one code that sticks in my mind is CH751, I don't know how many locks we have at work that use that code.

Where do you work and which cabinets have the best stuff?

 

[The Cobbler]

It's a good deal.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The one code that sticks in my mind is CH751, I don't know how many locks we have at work that use that code.

I have had a CH751 key on my "work" keys since my first service truck when I was an apprentice almost 30 years ago. I can't count the number of things it opens up both at home and work. My shed, one of my storage units in the garage, cabinets, panels and desks at work...

Tommy

 

[machine_punk]

Drill it out. I had to do that on a toolbox I bought, for cheap, which was locked. Just make sure you wear safety glasses. The lock will turn to shrapnel when the drill bit catches. Ask me how I know.

Kev

 

[BuickFarmer]

OK thanks for ALL the great responses. I think PudgetDude is right

Buy it, then worry about getting it open.
Might be full of gold bullion.

First order of business is to buy it. I'll read up on picking locks before I go and if I can't get it open I'll drop by a local locksmith and get it opened and a key made for it, hoping that won't be more than 20-25 bucks. So y'all think even at $75 it would be a good buy? This thing is huge, bigger than it looks in the picture. It is at a Habitat for Humanity and came from the University of Georgia. I bought a couple of older really solid and in excellent shape file cabinets for $15 each and am happy with them.
Thanks again guys!!!!

 

[tab2]

If you want to use the same lock, take it to someone.

Last time I told a locksmith I needed something open and didn't care what happened to the lock he drilled the lock through the pins, a good tap with a hammer on a screwdriver, a twist and voila! It was open in under a minute. Now I don't call them as often...

 

[ar2stp48]

Office or school location? Chances are they have other cabinets with same lock; ask someone on site to try other keys they have. It is a simple wafer style lock; easy and cheap to replace. Not difficult to pick but can be damaged in process which makes drilling necessary. You can take the number on face of lock to local locksmith for a key; or look for a key by that number on ebay. Lock is not difficult to drill if you decide to go that way

Cabinet is a good deal; buy it and then solve the lock problem

 

[Train]

Ishiboo is right. That style is easily picked with a paper clip or the file on a pair of fingernail clippers. I had a similar experience with a metal cabinet at a second hand store. It was locked and they lost the key. They wanted ten bucks because of that and I said sold. Asked the guy for a paper clip, and had it open before I even paid for it.

 

[drmarkr]

That's a You **** deal. ....get your azz over there and buy that thing!

You'll get it open. .....

 

[BuickFarmer]

GOT IT!!! Original price - $74.99 plus tax, negotiated price due to no key - $53.50 incl tax. Two keys made from the number on cylinder at locksmith on way home - $10.70 incl tax. Total price - $64.20
I'm guess I can lib wit dat
PugettDude, no gold bullion. ;-(

I did study up on picking the lock but figured I would really like to be able to lock it in the future so opted to get the keys made.

Thanks everybody for your input!!

 

[Pate]

What's the key code on the face of the lock? I'll look up the code and see if I can cut it for you.

 

[captain14]

Great deal. Anything inside?

 

[jgorm]

You could pick it easily, especially if you have ever picked a lock. They are usually 3 pin tumblers that take a noob like me maybe 20 seconds. You could drill it out in a minute. It's not hardened steel.

 

[SeanDieselBirger]

For anyone interested, here is an awesome tutorial on lock picking. I was able to pick open pad locks after just and hour or two of practice.

 

[Cobra5150]

GOT IT!!! Original price - $74.99 plus tax, negotiated price due to no key - $53.50 incl tax.

Glad you did. When I heard it was that close if you didn't buy I was headed there tomorrow.

 

[BFBOB]

I'm no locksmith, but I can pick that kind of lock in five minutes (each, that is - not like in the movies!) Look up how a pin tumbler lock works and have at it. Grind the short end of a 1/8" or so Allen wrench flat for the tension bar, and a big paper clip is all you need for the pick.

 

[BuickFarmer]

What's the key code on the face of the lock? I'll look up the code and see if I can cut it for you.

Thanks for the offer, but got a key made at the local locksmith.

Great deal. Anything inside?

YEP!!! Shelves!!!

Glad you did. When I heard it was that close if you didn't buy I was headed there tomorrow.

I wasn't able to get there until around 10:30 and after hearing everybodies comments on here as to how good a deal it was, I was really sweating that it would be gone. Also picked up a little cart for $10, also came from UGA

Again thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts.

 

[bazzateer]

What's the key code on the face of the lock? I'll look up the code and see if I can cut it for you.

He already has two keys!

You could pick it easily, especially if you have ever picked a lock. They are usually 3 pin tumblers that take a noob like me maybe 20 seconds. You could drill it out in a minute. It's not hardened steel.

He has keys!

I'm no locksmith, but I can pick that kind of lock in five minutes (each, that is - not like in the movies!) Look up how a pin tumbler lock works and have at it. Grind the short end of a 1/8" or so Allen wrench flat for the tension bar, and a big paper clip is all you need for the pick.

No need, he has keys!

 

[lewis26]

He already has two keys!


He has keys!


No need, he has keys!

Wait, he has keys already?