Cabinet Question

[coachcarstens]

I bought a cabinet at an auction last night.  However, I did not recieve a key for the lock in the back of the cabinet.  Is there a good way to get the back "door" of the cabinet open wihtout destroying it.  I don't know how to pick locks, maybe I need to learn?  Thanks for any help you can give me.

Chris

[ekans]

Other than breaking the particle board around the lock and then repairing or replacing it (brute force and ignorance way) you might want to see if you can get your jig saw blade at the locking paddle from the outside. There might be a lip of wood preventing you from doing this, but even it you cut this lip it will not be visible from the outside.

Another solution would be to drill the lock itself. It can be tricky as the bit will slip around while it tries to grab something and even after it gets going can do wierd and wonderful things. Make sure you're using a strong bit if you try this.

If you are totally dismantling the cab you can consider going in through the front. I had an Altered Beast cab that let me reach in the coin door and unhinge the control panel. This let the glass come out and the monitor slid out the front. Long way around the process but works without damage (or power tools.) 

[Grauwulf]

Just drill the locks out. Buy a couple of cheap drill bits and have at it. If you drill right through the center it will take out the arm on the back when you break trough.

[coachcarstens]

thanks for the advice.  I'll have to get some bits and see what I can do.

Chris

[ray_slup]

try this this
http://www.therealbobroberts.com/
"Here's a few ways to get into a machine without keys or a chain saw... another often repeated question. Some vids are easy & by simply removing the marquee & flo, standing on a chair with a flashlight you can then see the screw that holds the cam to the back door lock... remove it & in turn do likewise to the coin door lock from the now open back door. Note: Have a catcher in the back of the game for the falling door. If you find that the screw or nut is just too tight for you to loosen, sometimes the 2 screws that hold the double "D" plate can be removed & the whole lock spun to effect the opening.
If your vid has the 2 recessed plastic handles in the top back you can sometimes remove them & by reaching in through the holes with a short screwdriver & feeling your way around, find the back door cam screw & remove it for opening.
Sometimes just carefully looking over the back reveals some portion of the back that is simply screwed on & can be removed for access to the game.

If you have only the coin door key.. or it is open... and you need to gain entry into the back or the cashbox, you can remove your CP & monitor glass to access other areas... sometimes going as far as removing the monitor itself, if it is a front mounted one. The entire over/under assembly can usually be removed by backing the retainer clip screws out & pushing in on the retainer clips."
http://www.therealbobroberts.com/

[neuromancer]

Picking simple locks is pretty easy. If you pick it, you can take it to a locksmith to have it re-keyed

Even easier is to stick a big screw driver in it and twist really hard, breaking the pins.

Bob

[ekans]

Boy, we're a dodgy bunch aren't we? 

[Grauwulf]

Yup, and I can open most locked car doors too. 

If you can pick the lock, I wouldn't bother having a locksmith re-key it. A locksmith will charge more to do that than the lock is worth. Just buy new ones.

[SirPeale]

A locksmith will charge more to do that than the lock is worth. Just buy new ones.

I just happen to know a guy who has some locks available.   

[rdagger]

You should be able to pick the lock with 2 unfolded paper clips.

[Witchboard]

try this this
http://www.therealbobroberts.com/
"Here's a few ways to get into a machine without keys or a chain saw... another often repeated question. Some vids are easy & by simply removing the marquee & flo, standing on a chair with a flashlight you can then see the screw that holds the cam to the back door lock... remove it & in turn do likewise to the coin door lock from the now open back door. Note: Have a catcher in the back of the game for the falling door. If you find that the screw or nut is just too tight for you to loosen, sometimes the 2 screws that hold the double "D" plate can be removed & the whole lock spun to effect the opening.
If your vid has the 2 recessed plastic handles in the top back you can sometimes remove them & by reaching in through the holes with a short screwdriver & feeling your way around, find the back door cam screw & remove it for opening.
Sometimes just carefully looking over the back reveals some portion of the back that is simply screwed on & can be removed for access to the game.

If you have only the coin door key.. or it is open... and you need to gain entry into the back or the cashbox, you can remove your CP & monitor glass to access other areas... sometimes going as far as removing the monitor itself, if it is a front mounted one. The entire over/under assembly can usually be removed by backing the retainer clip screws out & pushing in on the retainer clips."
http://www.therealbobroberts.com/

Don't forget to have somebody to catch you too when you brush across the anode cap on the monitor. 

[stevejt]

The two easiest ways to break the lock are vicegrips or the screwdriver.

If the lock is not recessed large vicegrips with GOOD teeth can usually be locked on, (MUST use the side of the jaws).  The lock can be turned, though this will damage the wood just enough that the lock can be turned.  The lock can then be turned back to lock again, though a key will never be needed. 

If the lock is recessed, (due to vicegrips, making the "spin ring" useless) the large screw driver is very effective.  However. many people can't turn it. "pliers" are worthless.  Use a large adjustable wrench closed on the flat edge of the screwdriver, next to the lock.  If there is not enough room on the flat tip of the screwdriver for the adjustable wrench, the the screwdriver is not big enough anyway. 

At last resort, try putting  a BOLT onto the key hole.  It must have threads for wood, so it has a point, obviously not a bolt made for a nut.  And it must be a bolt, not a screw, so you can use a wratchet or a wrench.  It will not work using a screwdriver.

All these are much simpler then they sound.  And they all take less then a minute if you are doing them correctly.

Good luck.

Steve

[neuromancer]

Yup, and I can open most locked car doors too.

[neuromancer]

If the lock is recessed, (due to vicegrips, making the "spin ring" useless) the large screw driver is very effective.

[SirPeale]

If you can pick the lock, I wouldn't bother having a locksmith re-key it. A locksmith will charge more to do that than the lock is worth. Just buy new ones.

I got some locks re-keyed for $2.

Brand new ones are $3.00. 

[RayB]

May I suggest the ultra-obvious which we forgot:

Open the coin door and check inside!! Very often operators keep the back door key hanging on a hook inside the game (accessible by reaching through coin door). Or for that matter, they could be laying at the bottom.

If not the case, easy way to drill a barrel lock is with a Dremel and tungsten carbide cutting bit.

[Grauwulf]

That's a good point Ray, but you have to get into the coin door, and if you don't have the key you're back to drilling the lock out. If you try and twist the lock out you will damage your coin door.

[RayB]

That's a good point Ray, but you have to get into the coin door, and if you don't have the key you're back to drilling the lock out. If you try and twist the lock out you will damage your coin door.

The original poster made no mention of the coin door, only the back door, therefore i assumed he was only missing that back door key and had the coin door key.

[neuromancer]

If you can pick the lock, I wouldn't bother having a locksmith re-key it. A locksmith will charge more to do that than the lock is worth. Just buy new ones.

I got some locks re-keyed for $2.

Brand new ones are $3.00.