Cedar Chest Lock Bypass?

[ylockit]

I need help bypassing the latch on an antique cedar chest. This piece of furniture was my grandmothers and is about 60 years old. It's a Lane "Virginia Made". The lock is not "locked", but the latch won't disengage. I know this may not really be the forum and I appologize, but cannot find a lock/latch diagram on the net that helps. I have not yet tried to remove the tumbler and manipulate the latch, but will probably try tonight unless someone has suggestions. The hinge is piano style and is on the inside. Thanks

[Chrispy]

Picture?

[Chucklz]

Post pictures before you attempt to dissassemble anything. Better to wait than to destroy an antique.

[n2oah]

If you have it unlocked, you can just use the old credit card technique to bypass the latch.

[ylockit]

First off, I have to start by thanking you all for such an immediate response to a request for help. Wow, 3 posts within 10 minutes.

Cannot post a picture tonight, perhaps Monday night. A picture would only show a 5/8 (16mm) or so button with a lock tumbler/keyway in it that says LANE.

Tried carding it but to no avail. Also tried a windshield wiper stiffener, slid under the lip of the lid, no luck.

Picked the lock to ensure it was really unlocked. It was, and now is again. It seems the latch is just not disengaging all the way. While pushing down on the lid, the button can be pushed in and it will stay in. If I now push down on the lid after the button is in, the button will pop out, but the lid never unlatches.

I'm just not sure what the latch part looks like with the lid up, or I could probably find a way to pop it open.

[n2oah]

Hey, I just remembered that I have an old Lane chest. It has a button-shaped lock on it, too, but it may not be the exact same model. I'll try to bypass the latch tommorrow.

[MudSlinger]

Number one way to bypass (various wood) chest?
survey says?

remove the hinges on the othe side then un screw the lock from the inside!

DING! HOORAY AND THE ROBINSON FAMILY IS THE WINNER!!!

[jjmerg]

PLEASE READ!! Lane had produced locks that malfunctioned, ALOT!! Trapping children inside, no joke. When word got out, they started producing locks that can be opened when locked from the inside. no help to you though! you know you need to push the cylinder where the key goes into to open this, right?

hope that helps! Also, contact Lane directly for a free replacement lock.

http://www.lanefurniture.com/customer_c ... equest.asp

[ylockit]

Finally got it, but thanks for the recommendations. The Robinson Family was NEARLY the winners, but in my first post I noted that the original hinge had been replaced years ago by a piano style hinge, on hte inside. But again, thanks.

Due to the "recall" I had ordered a new latch/lock assembly from lane and as soon as it arrived, I was able to get an idea how to bypass, as I could finally see what the mechanism looked like.

[skold]

I'm curious.

The lane i have is a warded lock and if a lever tensioner was inserted and turned the lock would open.

Is this the same with yours?

[MudSlinger]

Two days ago somebody brought an old ceder chest into the shop. It reminded me of this post because it didnt SEEM locked. the button pushed in but the latch wasnt pulling back. Turned out the lock worked perfect after all all we need was to impression a key for it. I say go to a locksmith (unless you are one) get a blank and give it a go, try impressioning it and then get some sense and just grind everything down except for the last 2 or 3 centimeters.... because its just a stupis warded lock... with one moving part.

vote quimby.