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Paging Jeff Moss I need a locksmith/safecracker

alinc100

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May 26, 2013
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Dearborn,MI
Picked up a Art Steelmaster cabinet over the weekend and do not have the combination to the locking storage area.
Have you got any advice?
I've already looked with a borescope camera and there is no treasure on the inside.
And I need a key for the file cabinet lock,I've got a camlock to fill the door hole with.
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jakemac

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May 21, 2013
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New England
Just out of curiosity, did you look under the shelves and each drawer to see if the combo was written/taped underneath ?

Remove the bottom drawer, perhaps it's on the floor underneath. That's where I used to store an extra gun and important papers at my old house. (I have a new spot in the new house) ;)
 
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WWIIjeep

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Arizona
I've already looked with a borescope camera and there is no treasure on the inside.

Does that mean you've already got a hole somewhere in the safe section?

If so, you're halfway to the easiest way to get that lock open if you can reach the latch with a long screwdriver to push it open.

Otherwise, drill a hole in the back of the cabinet, centered on the latch edge of the door, at the height of the safe dial. Then with a suitably long flat-blade screwdriver, push or pry against the latch to slide it open (you'll be able to see it at the inside edge of the door). Then you can take the back off of the door to read the two disks in the very simple combination lock they used on those cabinets.

The dial operation is right to first number; left one turn just past first number to second number; right until dial stops, then turn slightly more to unlatch.

You'll be able to feel or hear the second number very easily, but probably not the first number. The third number doesn't matter because the dial will automatically stop there and then a little further movement in the same direction unlatches the lock.


And I need a key for the file cabinet lock

The lock is a 4-pin Chicago file cabinet lock using a Chicago CG17 blank (or Curtis CG17, ILCO 1041Y, Star 5CG4, Taylor 41Y)

If the top file drawer is unlocked, just pull off the retaining clip right behind the panel, remove the screw holding the linkage together, and take the lock to a locksmith, who can make you a key for $10/15 or so, depending what locksmith prices are in your area.
 

jeffmoss26

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May 25, 2011
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Cleveland, Ohio
Unfortunately I know nothing about safes. A good locksmith who specializes in safes should be able to get in.
If the file cabinet lock has a code stamped on the front, it should be fairly easy to get a key.
 
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alinc100

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May 26, 2013
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Dearborn,MI
Update:
I was able to tinker around and drilled a hole in the back of the cabinet ,lock high and pried open the door. I will simply plug it with a conduit plug or possibly run a light/wire in the top.

Anyhow I disassembled the door ,got the mechanism out and was able to take it apart and decipher how it worked and spun the dial ,lined up the tumblers and I now have a working ,locking storage area!!!

Thanks for the advice and inspirations!
 
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jakemac

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May 21, 2013
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New England
The $4200 I made today selling some toolboxes and tools on CL.
Bought some steel shelves on Monday for $100,hauled $50 in scrap,
sold cabinets for $400 today....

So ............ you say that a screwdriver from the back gets the door open ? What's the address ? :lol_hitti
 

nicksnothereman

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Oct 19, 2013
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Location
In the Mojave
Picked up a Art Steelmaster cabinet over the weekend and do not have the combination to the locking storage area.
Have you got any advice?
I've already looked with a borescope camera and there is no treasure on the inside.
And I need a key for the file cabinet lock,I've got a camlock to fill the door hole with.

On the older models you could potentially use a stethoscope to hear the clicks using the procedure for opening the lock. I think that's the case, I've seen it in enough movies.

Keyed locks are much easier to open, I assume the file cabinet has a regular lock. You'd just need a lock pick set or potentially you could use a bobby pin or heavy weight paperclip altering the tip and something to turn the cylinder itself. Lot's of choices.
 
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