Tubular lock problem

[magilla500]

I have a safe with two locks which I believe are called 'tubular locks'. The key is small and has a circle with a notch on the outside and inside, kind of like a power button. When I closed it today (without locking it) I found that it wouldn't open, then I looked at the lock and noticed that the notch on the lock was not aligned with the outer part of the lock and the key will not fit in. The middle part of the lock also seems to be more inset than the bottom functioning lock.

Does anyone have any ideas that might help me fix this?

here is a few pictures of the lock

[magilla500]

Picture codes didn't work in first post
http://picturepush.com/public/8915736
http://picturepush.com/public/8915743
http://picturepush.com/public/8915748

[Evan]

@magilla500:

There are only two ways that sort of thing can happen:

1. The little nib on the bottom of the key has broken off and allowed you to remove the key before the intended key pull position...

2. Someone who doesn't know how tubular locks has attempted to/played at picking the lock and got it rotated two pins out of the key pull position...

Since you say you can not insert the key, it sounds like possibility #1 does not fit your situation...

~~ Evan

[cledry]

Actually I have run into a third way on occasion. The nib is worn to a bevel on the side closest to the bow and if forcefully pulled can come out in the wrong position but putting it back in proves difficult. The solution is obvious.

[MacGyver101]

I agree with Evan and cledry: it sounds like one of your keys is worn a bit, which allowed you to pull it out in a not-quite-locked position. If you have a spare (or get a copy made), you can file down the nib on the key a bit until it fits in: that will let you rotate the lock back into a properly locked position.

[Darkness1569]

Isn’t that lock spun the wrong way, a direction that the key wouldn’t turn it? If you do have the keys. Then I would do this

If you have a spare (or get a copy made), you can file down the nib on the key a bit until it fits in: that will let you rotate the lock back into a properly locked position.

.

[atticRR]

maybe take a picture of the nib on your key so we can let you know if its worn enough to do this...

[MBI]

It's common with this kind of cabinet for people to get a bit complacent and only use one of the two locks so they can access the contents more easily. That could explain the uneven wear on one lock but not the other.

While a worn key is a possibility, with the broken lock being turned the wrong way I'd guess that someone has been monkeying with the broken lock and trying alternate methods of opening it. That could also explain some of the excessive wear and scratches around the keyway of the broken lock.

[magilla500]

Thank you for all of your responses and help. I think I figured out the problem, The top locks Back turning bolt device is free to move into positions the bottom one can't go into and move around without the key in it. I didn't realize this at first when I purchased the safe used last week. Unfortunately, the safe only came with one key.

The way I finally got into it was by inserting the key in crooked and putting more pressure on it to turn than I felt comfortable doing. Luckily enough it didn't seem to damage the key and worked to get me inside the safe. For now I made a quickfix to prevent any more lockouts while I fix it. I just duct taped the bolt into a position where it couldn't lock since the bottom lock is working.

I really appreciate all of your input, Thank you again.