Donkey Kong Lock

[ppilot]

Hi All.  I was lucky enough to finally score a (converted) Donkey Kong Jr. Machine.  It's missing the key on the back door.  Does anyone have an idea on how to get it open (besides taking drastic measures and cutting the door off?)  I thought the locks were probably standardized, but the keys for my DK, DK3 don't fit it.

Thanks much.  Mike.

[versapak]

Drill it.

Of course the locks aren't "standardized". What would be the point of a lock, if anyone could open it?

[Kevin Mullins]

Is there one hanging inside on the coin door when you open it? (open the coin door that is) Or possible in the coin box itself.

If not.... you have the option of a locksmith... or drilling it out.

[versapak]

Is there one hanging inside on the coin door when you open it? (open the coin door that is) Or possible in the coin box itself.

If not.... you have the option of a locksmith... or drilling it out.

Locksmith will cost ya the $$$, and then you'd still need to replace the lock anyway.

You get a chance to destroy something with a power tool, then it is your manly duty to do so.

[Mario]

I opened a lock by inserting a large screwdriver into the key slot, then locking a pair of vicegrips on the screwdriver, and turning it with lots of force. It simply broke the lock pins and the lock turned freely.

Mario

[CheffoJeffo]

You get a chance to destroy something with a power tool, then it is your manly duty to do so.

 

Cheers.

[Ken Layton]

Actually all Nintendo cabinets were standardized on a "K6510" round (ACE) style key number.

[NightGod]

When you're doin the Donk, it's like there's noone else in the world but you.

[versapak]

Actually all Nintendo cabinets were standardized on a "K6510" round (ACE) style key number.

Same style lock, but not same keying of.

The chances of having a key from one cab unlocking the other, unless specifically keyed to be the same I would figure would be pretty slim.

Anyway...

When I first read the initial post, it seemed as if he expected that the keys would just work in any Nintendo cab (expecting they'd be keyed the same), but upon re-reading, I guess it is more of a "Since they share the same lock type, I figured I'd at least try my luck with the keys I have" sort of thing.

[MaximRecoil]

Actually all Nintendo cabinets were standardized on a "K6510" round (ACE) style key number.

Same style lock, but not same keying of.

The chances of having a key from one cab unlocking the other, unless specifically keyed to be the same I would figure would be pretty slim.

Anyway...

When I first read the initial post, it seemed as if he expected that the keys would just work in any Nintendo cab (expecting they'd be keyed the same), but upon re-reading, I guess it is more of a "Since they share the same lock type, I figured I'd at least try my luck with the keys I have" sort of thing.

TIP: If you have an original Nintendo Key, it will get you into ANY Nintendo game.

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/index.asp?OPT=3&DATA=316&CBT=4

The first game I ever bought was a Mario Bros., and after I bought it
I was pretty much on my own as far as fixing it up and finding
parts, etc..  Anyhow, the only lock open was the coin panel on the
front.  Because the game was an original Nintendo cabinet, I was able
to buy a "Nintendo" key which was supposed to fit all the Nintendo cabinets.
Luckily, they key did fit the back, so I was able to get in the cabinet.

link

I only have one Nintendo cabinet so I can't confirm this, but I'm sure someone here can. I have heard this from more than one person. Also, the key code is just that, the key code. It is not a lock style. Two keys with the key code of K6510 = keyed alike. For example, go to wicothesource.com and you will see the option for keyed alike locks with a specific keycode. You could buy a few now, and 5 years down the road buy a key for that same brand of lock and specify that key code and it will open your lock. That is the whole point of key codes.

[Ken Layton]

Believe me---from my 30 years experience in coin-op repair, ALL Nintendo cabinets came from the factory with a knockoff of an ACE lock (it was some Japanese brand stamped on the keys). The backdoor locks were all keyed alike to key number K6510. I know this for a fact. Of course it's always possible that someone over the years may have replaced that lock with something else.

As with any coin machine though, the coinbox/cashbox lock is always keyed different/individually.

[MAME nut]

Hey Ken,

I'd be willing to bet an original Pac Man machine that most people BELIEVE YOU over versapak!!!        

[versapak]

Believe me---from my 30 years experience in coin-op repair, ALL Nintendo cabinets came from the factory with a knockoff of an ACE lock (it was some Japanese brand stamped on the keys). The backdoor locks were all keyed alike to key number K6510. I know this for a fact. Of course it's always possible that someone over the years may have replaced that lock with something else.

As with any coin machine though, the coinbox/cashbox lock is always keyed different/individually.

Hey Ken,

I'd be willing to bet an original Pac Man machine that most people BELIEVE YOU over versapak!!!        

I wasn't trying to argue that I was somehow right over him.

If they were all keyed the same, then wow... Interesting indeed.

I stand by statement that it makes no sense to have a lock, if anyone else with the same brand cabinet can then open it, but hey...

I certainly haven't owned a massive number of machines, and only have one Nintendo cabinet, with no experience with any others.

If that is the way it was, then that is the way it was.

Though just for the record... I know of a DK and a DK3 key that did not work.


The MAIN point of my initial reply, and my official stance, is that I could care less what key would open it, and vote that he POWER TOOL THAT SUCKER. That's all I was tryin to say from the very beginning. 

[Ken Layton]

Several game manufacturers used keyed alike cabinet locks for the backdoors:

Midway: Fort # 1350 (double bit), Fort #1355 (double bit), Illinois # MW-350 (double bit, made special for Midway)

Stern: Fort # L-355 (single bit)

Nintendo: Japanese manufacturer (name escapes me) # K6510 (round)

Atari: all cabinets were keyed different on all locks, but they generally used the very bottom of the barrel crappiest Hudson locks ever made (single bit)

Williams: all cabinets were keyed different on all locks, but they all generally came from Fort Lock and were double bit

Neo Geo: National Cabinet Lock # C-413a (single bit, used on the mini marquee holder)

Arachnid: all English Mark Dart games use National Cabinet Lock key # C-415a (single bit, used on all doors except the coin door)

The reason manufacturers use keyed alike numbers on the back door locks is that these games were originally intended to be sold to game route operators not the general public. Some operators replaced these low security locks with their own expensive high security ones too.

[versapak]

Yeah, I guess the big worry in an arcade isn't that somebody is going to pull your machine away from the wall and steel its insides.

I appreciate the info.

I can see why an operator would want to have such a setup, as it would certainly make access for repairs easier (as in less keys to carry around/sort through).

[Q*Bert_OP]

And some games, like a dedicated total carnage use torx screwson the back only.

[ppilot]

Well I hate to say it, but I didn't do my manly duty.  I was able to take the bezel off (challenging from the outside) and remove the lock from the inside.  Now I need to figure out how to remove the pins from the barrel.  Thanks for the suggestions/help.

[versapak]

Well I hate to say it, but I didn't do my manly duty.  I was able to take the bezel off (challenging from the outside) and remove the lock from the inside.  Now I need to figure out how to remove the pins from the barrel.  Thanks for the suggestions/help.

That's it. You're fired!

Please hand in your man license at the door on your way out.




















[EDIT]

Oh yeah... Glad to see you got it taken care of.

[SithMaster]

i used a bic pen to open mines lock.  but i didnt have a power drill at the time so............               ran out of dots ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,there we go