lock picking?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
lock picking?
We salvaged my wife's jewelry cabinet after our house fire. Unfortunately, we don't have the key. I would like to open the cabinet without damaging the case. I have no problem with damaging the lock except I am limited for tools. All my tools were lost in the fire.
I'm sure the cylinder extends straight down and the door latches with a simple tab. Any way to get this open non destructively?
I'm sure the cylinder extends straight down and the door latches with a simple tab. Any way to get this open non destructively?
#3
If you drill out the center you should be able to turn the lock.
To pick a lock you need to insert a small tool to put a little pressure on the cylinder. Then you take another tool to move the pins to line up with the slot.
Otherwise. if you can find a key that fits you could make a bump key and bump the lock.
To pick a lock you need to insert a small tool to put a little pressure on the cylinder. Then you take another tool to move the pins to line up with the slot.
Otherwise. if you can find a key that fits you could make a bump key and bump the lock.
#5
Member
Don't destroy it....it's a simple wafer cam lock. Any locksmith can pick it in seconds. And nowadays, with the price of labor vs. parts, it's probably cheaper to replace it than to make a new key.
If you have a collection of small desk/cabinet keys, you might try them out, wiggle and turn sort of thing.....usually 1/2 dozen to a dozen trial keys, one will open the lock....they're pretty flimsy.
If you have a collection of small desk/cabinet keys, you might try them out, wiggle and turn sort of thing.....usually 1/2 dozen to a dozen trial keys, one will open the lock....they're pretty flimsy.
#6
Member
Certainly worth a few minutes trying to pick it. I use a medium screw driver in the area away from the pins to apply that pressure Tolyn mentioned and then keep wiping the pins with a small probe. Once pushed down each pin may catch coming up due to the pressure applied.
Drilling is also easy and since you don't have a key the lock will need to ultimately be replaced.
Bud
Drilling is also easy and since you don't have a key the lock will need to ultimately be replaced.
Bud
#7
Member
I second rstripe's recommendations, followed by last resort of drilling it out.
you only need it open once to then remove it and replace it with a lock you have the key for.
Drilling it out can damage the chest. I have seen where you start getting in the soft metal, then catch or bind on a tumber and force the entire lock to spin, damaging the cabinet.
you only need it open once to then remove it and replace it with a lock you have the key for.
Drilling it out can damage the chest. I have seen where you start getting in the soft metal, then catch or bind on a tumber and force the entire lock to spin, damaging the cabinet.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Well I spent nearly half an hour trying to pick the lock with a couple of paper clips. No joy! Frustrated, I went for my new drill to drill the lock. In the 5 minutes while I was gone my wife picked the lock with a bent tine on a fork and a paper clip.
The key was inside.
The key was inside.
Bud9051
voted this post useful.
#9
Member
Well I spent nearly half an hour trying to pick the lock with a couple of paper clips. No joy! Frustrated, I went for my new drill to drill the lock. In the 5 minutes while I was gone my wife picked the lock with a bent tine on a fork and a paper clip.
The key was inside.
The key was inside.
Question, How did the chest get locked if the keys where inside?
Or did your wife have a spare key, let you sweat it out then pull it out when you weren't looking?
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Mystery solved. I talked to the guys that secured the house immediately after the fire. They locked the jewelry box using their keys. It is SOP for them to secure valuables until the owner can claim them. My daughter removed the jewelry box from the house (with our permission) while we were on vacation without letting them know so there was a disconnect between us and the fire mitigation guys.
#12
Member
Thread Starter
"40,000 people die in auto accidents per year in the US. We should ban cars."
More people die every year from personal weapons (feet, hands fists etc.) attacks than from long guns such as rifles and shotguns. We should ban fists, feet and hands. 2017 numbers 667 from long guns, 692 from personal weapons. My source - FBI UCR (crime stats. )
More people die every year from personal weapons (feet, hands fists etc.) attacks than from long guns such as rifles and shotguns. We should ban fists, feet and hands. 2017 numbers 667 from long guns, 692 from personal weapons. My source - FBI UCR (crime stats. )