Shaw-Walker file cabinet lock problem (Page 2): Yes, these locks are easy to pick but he says he has the keys and they don't (now) open the drawers. So he's pretty well stuck for the...

Bmarsh Loc: Bellaire, MI

martin muller wrote:

Do try picking the lock yourself. I am not a lock smith but have picked a couple of locks when disaster struck. I think you will surprise yourself and win. If not, a good locksmith can probably get in fairly easily. Most importantly, best wishes to you and your wife. I can relate to your situation.

Yes, these locks are easy to pick but he says he has the keys and they don't (now) open the drawers. So he's pretty well stuck for the moment.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Manglesphoto wrote:

Since the cabinet is not used for security and the lock is not the problem,I would go to the back of the cabinet and cut a hole to gain access to the locking mech. the completely remove the offending parts!!

That may indeed be the plan. Thanks
Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Longshadow wrote:

Some people don't read the whole thread.
They read the question and answer it.

Kinda like our shop teacher in high school once gave us a test with 100 questions on it.
Instructions stated "Read all questions before answering."
He gave us 10 minutes.....

The last question stated "Now that you have read all the questions,
go back and answer only questions 4 and 7.".........

Been guilty of doing that - I was a shop teacher.
Ron

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Manglesphoto wrote:

He has the key! they are in the lock!
The problem is with the locking mechanism.

Thanks! I thought the offending cabinet was the one on the left with the lock pushed in. It looks like he cut a hole in the side of the cabinet to get to the lock. If that is what was done, I would just take a sawzall and cut the lock from the arm that it connects to.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Manglesphoto wrote:

The hole cutting will be the only option since you can't get it open
Been there done that more than once. but these locked at the back, Check for patents
https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0628685A3
If you can locate the locking bar maybe you can just drill a hole that will allow you to move the bar

That’s the exact website I found. Did some screenshots but still afraid I’ll have to cut more holes. Thanks.
Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Falcon wrote:

It looks like the locking bar is at a slight angle... (show quote)

This sounds like plan A. The bar does incline downward toward the rear. I’ll disconnect it from the lock and see if I can get the back end of the bar to move upward or whatever and perhaps the mechanism will disengage. If not, there’s always the holesaw. Like an earlier poster said, since I don’t lock it another hole isn’t a real problem.

Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Manglesphoto wrote:

Since the cabinet is not used for security and the lock is not the problem,I would go to the back of the cabinet and cut a hole to gain access to the locking mech. the completely remove the offending parts!!

This is now Plan B. Thanks
Ron

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Bridges wrote:

Thanks! I thought the offending cabinet was the one on the left with the lock pushed in. It looks like he cut a hole in the side of the cabinet to get to the lock. If that is what was done, I would just take a sawzall and cut the lock from the arm that it connects to.

Yeah, nope - you still missed some critical info. I disconnected the locking bar linkage right off thinking it would render the lock incapable of being accidentally locked. And THAT’S what caused this whole problem as something dropped into “locked” status when I disconnected the bar. I drilled the hole afterwards so I could reinsert the cotter pin that tied the bar to the lock, but it unfortunately didn’t change the “locked” status.
Thanks
Ron