Filing cabinet locked......... no keys

Blackpool_Saver

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place but I could not think of where to put it !!

Some time ago my full filing cabinet got the key broken off in the lock during a removal (yes yes I know)

We have removed the second half of the key from the lock, but are unable to open it and have no other key. Any suggestions please ....we have tried picking it but to no avail

Will I have to get a lock person out?

chubb3g114

Hi
Take the broken half to a locksmiths shop, they should be able to cut a new key, also if there is a number on the lock take that.

chubb3g114

fwor

If you still have both halves, it should be possible to glue the two halves together with epoxy adhesive, which should make it strong enough for a key shop to copy.

S0litaire

First take both parts of the ket yo the local key-smith /shoe repair shop
They should be able to cut you a new key...

If not the following is a last ditch resort

The locks are not usually that strong.
*I've tried this on a very old file cabinet years ago*

You can easily break the lock with a fladhead screwdriver and a good hammer. (You may damage the screwdriver, knuckles, thumb and anything within range!! so be carefull!) ^_~

You may want to lay it flay on the floor (makes it easier to give it a good whack!)
Just place the screwdriver in the key hole and give it a good whack!
It should punch it through.

Then all you need to do is get a finger in to lift the locking bar that runs down the side of the cabinet (this is the bit that locks the drawers in place.)

Careful the edges will be sharp you may cut yourself!

InsideInsurance

It will depend on the quality of the filing cabinet and how much you want to keep it?

Some cheap ones you can dismantle even when locked and thus get in. If you arent too worried about looks and the above other posters idea doesnt work then you can use a drill to remove the cylinder or a crowbar.

Yet to lose a key to a filing cabinet that is hard to get into

macman

Calling out a locksmith is insane-you can buy a cheap ex-office filing cabinet for less than that, so just break the lock if necessary.

smalltownman

Hi Blackpool Saver. This happened a lot where I worked. either lost keys or keys broken. Usually we could get the drawers to open by turning the complete cabinet upside down and giving it a good shake. This released the lock mechanism.(It didn't do the contents much good though!). Whether this was unique to certain makes, but it did work on most types we had.

beautiful_ravens

I got a new key for a second hand filing cabinet I bought by getting the serial number off the lock itself, and I got a new key from a place online by selecting the lock serial number on a list.
Then I lost the key on a walk, along with all my other keys.
Then i took the serial number to the key cutters in town, they looked on their computer and cut me a new one. Both ways were easy.

Blackpool_Saver

Thanks for all the replies, some very interesting ones too !
Unfortunately I don't have the broken half or the first half, I do want to preserve the cabinet as it is white and was ordered to match my office furniture.
I am thinking of trying the number to get a key, I am amazed that it can be that easy .....

Blackpool_Saver

Well well, I put in a Google search of the number on the lock and the make of the cabinet and up came a replacement key page, Thanks beautiful_ravens