Home Forums Chat Forum Breaking into a filing cabinet

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  • Breaking into a filing cabinet
  • lunge
    Full Member

    We have an elderly filing cabinet at the sports club I attend that we need to get into. Sadly, the key has been lost.

    The lock looks rather flimsy and my instinct is to force it. Any idea how hard it will be to do so?

    Like, do I need to bring tools or will body weight do it?

    1
    johndoh
    Free Member

    I’d take tooks. You might not need them but it saves a journey if you find you do.

    If you aren’t bothered about damage I am sure it will be a very quick job.

    2
    thecaptain
    Free Member

    I had this same problem in FiL’s house after he died.

    I was about to take the brute-force option but a quick-thinking relative suggested that I write to the manufacturer with the code number printed on the keyhole, and a few days later I had a key (for the princely sum of £2.49 or something like that).

    ThePinkster
    Full Member

    Is there a key number on the lock? They are sometimes stamped on them.

    If there is you may be able to get a replacement key for it – I’ve done this couple of times for locks on cabinets and desks at work when staff have left and not returned the keys. My local locksmith has always been very helpful with this sort of thing.

    joshvegas
    Free Member

    They normally lock down one side of the drawers. You can take knife of something and just slide it up until you feel something in the way then yank it up?

    Phil_H
    Full Member

    If you have the number from the lock barrel these people can usually sort you out with a replacement key.

    https://nukey.co.uk/product-category/keys/

    2
    RustyNissanPrairie
    Full Member

    Petrol powered Stihl disc cutter is the obvious answer. Or dynamite.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    tip it on its back and you normally have access to the locking mechanism from underneath.  Or drill the lock and hammer in a screwdriver.  Easier than busting up the cabinet.

    2
    hot_fiat
    Full Member

    Try picking it. You can make the tools really easily and it’s a fun thing to try and do in a group while you wait for the actual key to turn up from nukey. At school we got really adept at picking the array of padlocks people would secure their lockers with. It’s a bit worrying how crap most locks are.

    1
    Cougar2
    Free Member

    Where are you? A typical filing cabinet lock can be picked in seconds. I’ll come and prove myself wrong if you’re local.

    Drac
    Full Member

    Note the key number on the barrel and order a new key from eBay from £1. This method may have been pointed out resulting in all controlled drug lockers needing replaced by an employer.

    sharkbait
    Free Member

    tip it on its back and you normally have access to the locking mechanism from underneath.

    If it’s old definitely try this.

    13
    kayak23
    Full Member

    Have you tried calling Orange?

    monkeycmonkeydo
    Free Member

    Had similar problem myself.Just found the lock number and name and got a 99p key if ebay.

    dyna-ti
    Full Member

    You could drill into it, screw in a slide hammer and pop out the entire lock, or try your hand at picking it with one of those little lock picking kits you can buy.

    It just depends if this will be under the cover of darkness and you dont want the police to hear you.

    lunge
    Full Member

    Note the key number on the barrel and order a new key from eBay from £1.

    This is the option I’ve gone with at the moment, albeit it cost £2.60 inc. postage. If that doesn’t work then more force will be used.

    1
    Drac
    Full Member

    I guess bargain ones aren’t available any more, sill £2.60 to keep the it functional and avoid trying various methods is a bargain.

    igm
    Full Member

    Petrol powered Stihl disc cutter is the obvious answer. Or dynamite.

    Wot? No Italian Job reference.

    You lot are slipping

    Cougar2
    Free Member

    Plus you get to see what mysteries are held within. I’m going with “disappointment.”

    lunge
    Full Member

    Plus you get to see what mysteries are held within. I’m going with “disappointment.”

    Oh, we know exactly what is held within, that’s part of the reason we need to get in to it. Some old club trophies, some kit and some club records.

    1
    dyna-ti
    Full Member

    Wot? No Italian Job reference.

    Would that now be ” You were only supposed to blow the bloody Drawers off !! “

    1
    gwaelod
    Free Member

    Standard procedure is to enlist the assistance of Spot the Station Cat.

    If you can’t find him ask Rosemary the Telephone Operator or Sarge.

    Cougar2
    Free Member

    Penry, the mild-mannered janitor?

    maccruiskeen
    Full Member

    ” You were only supposed to blow the bloody Drawers off !! “

    Benny Hill’s best line in that film

    convert
    Full Member

    Came for a discussion about a once popular British mountain bike, left to become a lock breaker.

    pedlad
    Full Member

    Try an original old mini key…..genuinely once opened the door on my moms mini when I was young using a filling cabinet key in error….

    1
    gwaelod
    Free Member

    Penry, the mild-mannered janitor?

    Could be…

    Penry the mild-mannered Janitor

    Hong Kong Phooey - No1 Super Guy

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