Drilling a lock - Need advice

Silverunicorn

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Well, it was bound to haooen sooner or later. In 21 years of collecting, I need to drill a lock.

The Game - Black Knight 2000
The lock - Backbox lock

I am not sure how the backbox mechanism works as I never really ever had to look at it. I can look at a similar era game to get an idea I guess.

Lock is on the side. Do I slam a large screwdriver in there and turn, or try to drill?

Advice? Technique?

Thanks in advance :)

CHris
 
5lb sledge and a screw driver works well. seriously,i hate drilling locks but had to do it last weekend.I just get a good bit and put my shoulder into it,once you pop that lock the mechanism should be able to be operated with some needle nose pliers.
 
I driller my locks and found out a good bit makes a huge difference. Stay away from the cheep black ones, I tried it took forever. I switched to my gold titanum ones and went through the second lock like butter.
 
Thanks for the information.

It is one of the double sided locks, if that makes a difference.

I had the keys, this is the part that sucks. I can't find them ANYWHERE since I got the machine home :(


Chris
 
Lock is on the side. Do I slam a large screwdriver in there and turn, or try to drill?

Advice? Technique?

Thanks in advance :)

CHris


I usually use a 1/4 carbide bit (wear safety glasses!!) and drill in the middle :) It takes a while sometimes ;)


Wait, you had the keys? Dont drill! I bet you find them. Be patient!
 
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Well, it was bound to haooen sooner or later. In 21 years of collecting, I need to drill a lock.

The Game - Black Knight 2000
The lock - Backbox lock

I am not sure how the backbox mechanism works as I never really ever had to look at it. I can look at a similar era game to get an idea I guess.

Lock is on the side. Do I slam a large screwdriver in there and turn, or try to drill?

Advice? Technique?

Thanks in advance :)

CHris




Drilled out dozens of locks. I use this bit and a powerful 1/2" corded drill at low speed. I lean on it with full force. Takes about 15 seconds. Never leaves so much as a scratch on the door.






IMG_0972.jpg
 
I know some do ok with the screwdriver and hammer method, but that's more likely to do damage to the cabinet, albeit minor. With a good sharp bit, drilling takes no time. Just remember how a lock is made..there's a screw holding the cam on the back of the lock. If you drill through the middle of the lock, you're drilling that screw out, letting the cam fall off the back. Easy peazy Japaneesy
 
Well, it was bound to haooen sooner or later. In 21 years of collecting, I need to drill a lock.

The Game - Black Knight 2000
The lock - Backbox lock

I am not sure how the backbox mechanism works as I never really ever had to look at it. I can look at a similar era game to get an idea I guess.

Lock is on the side. Do I slam a large screwdriver in there and turn, or try to drill?

Advice? Technique?

Thanks in advance :)

CHris

Go buy a lock picking set. They really come in handy. I have a lock picking set for single cut keys and a set for dual cut keys. They work well once you figure out the best pick for each application. The single cut keys you can use two medium size Bobby pins if you don't want to buy two sets.


Hope this helps
 
You know what sucks? Drilling out a lock you have no keys for only to find an extra set hanging inside the coin door after you drilled it....:mad:
 
Thanks for all the help. I guess I will be trying it this weekend if time permits.

I just know that once I drill, the keys will turn up.

I am waiting as long as possible to do this because I did have the keys when I picked the game up. <sigh> The backbox has the latch on the back, but we're having people over in a couple weeks, and just for piece of mind I want to get the bolts in the backbox. While the latch is *okay* I don't really trust it and don't need any unnecessary problems :)

Chris
 
Come on, you HAD the keys?

Meditate for a few minutes and retrace your steps after last touching the keys. Think about logical places you would have put them. Then go find them.

I'd be careful about drilling. The lock bar mechanism that's controlled by the head lock could get damaged. I'd rather use the screwdriver/dead blow mallet first. You can always drill as a 2nd attempt.
 
I have used a flat head screwdriver, a hammer, and some channel locks. Take the screwdriver, tap in in a bit with a hammer, then take your channel locks - or vise grips and use it to turn the lock. I've been able to turn it enough to open the door. So far it's worked every time.
 
Did you check inside the coin doors of your other machines? There might be a key in there that will work? I would try using some channel locks to turn the barrel, or just drill it.
 
Come on, you HAD the keys?

Meditate for a few minutes and retrace your steps after last touching the keys. Think about logical places you would have put them. Then go find them.

I'd be careful about drilling. The lock bar mechanism that's controlled by the head lock could get damaged. I'd rather use the screwdriver/dead blow mallet first. You can always drill as a 2nd attempt.

Oh, believe you me, I have done that the past week, every day. The guy I got the machine from looked in his basement, garage and driveway as well, to no avail :(

I have used a flat head screwdriver, a hammer, and some channel locks. Take the screwdriver, tap in in a bit with a hammer, then take your channel locks - or vise grips and use it to turn the lock. I've been able to turn it enough to open the door. So far it's worked every time.


Thanks for the info.


Did you check inside the coin doors of your other machines? There might be a key in there that will work? I would try using some channel locks to turn the barrel, or just drill it.

I have tried all the other keys I have, but no luck :( The fact that it is double sided makes that prospect a bit tougher I think.


Chris
 
I have tried all the other keys I have, but no luck :( The fact that it is double sided makes that prospect a bit tougher I think.


Chris

Most of the locks I've drilled are double sided. If it's a single bitted lock I use a lock pick and just pick the lock.
 
Did you happen to check the pants you were wearing when you got the machine? Maybe the keys are still in the pocket?

I'd mention another way that always seems to work (similar to meditating). But then this post would be moved to the politics/religion forum
 
If the lock is mounted in wood, a hammer is a BAD idea as is leaning on a bit with "full force". The wood will give long before the metal will and you will either knock a hole too big to mount the new lock or the lock will spin and you won't be able to ever reliably lock the game again. Buy a COUPLE of good bits. Start small (1/4 or so) and move up in bit size (3/8 or 1/2). It will drill far easier and put less stress on the mounting area around the lock as well as prevent you from having to cool the bits when drilling hardened locks.
 
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