Cylinder markings

[apu]

Is there a list somewhere cross-referencing cylinder markings to lock make/keyway/etc.?

For example, a filing cabinet with a "N-23" marked on the lock and no other markings on the cabinet itself ... short of just trying keys to find one that fits, how do I find info about it? Or do I just pick it open and then go buy a new lock with a known keying? In that case, how do I find out what locks will fit?

(We just got a bunch of used file cabinets that I need to unlock and then rekey. I know FR/XF are Steelcase, HON is obviously Hon, SL or ML is Haworth.)

[Squelchtone]

Is there a list somewhere cross-referencing cylinder markings to lock make/keyway/etc.?

(We just got a bunch of used file cabinets that I need to unlock and then rekey. I know FR/XF are Steelcase, HON is obviously Hon, SL or ML is Haworth.)

Hello apu,

Without pictures of the locks it makes it hard to identify what you are working with, but you can poke around the following URL to see if anything looks like yours.

http://www.lockandsupply.com/catalog/file_cabinet_locks_62924_products.htm



Can you ask whom ever you bought the cabinets from if they have any of the keys? and I guess the bigger question is.. you actually bought cabinets that were all locked?

I have seen some cabinets with little canvas bags tied to the drawer handles. If you have these canvas bags, you might find a key. If you do decide to try your hand at picking one of the cabinets, you may find a key inside or one of those canvas bags with keys tied inside to the hanging file frame. If you should be so lucky, then you only have to pick 1 lock and open the rest with the key (if keyed alike) Depending on what you plan on keeping in these file cabinets, you can choose a simple lever disk wafer lock as a replacement or go with something like Medeco brand.

Best of luck,

Squelchtone

[maxxed]

The specific info is available in code books or on disk, each is going to cost ya. The N-23 code is either 1 of 2 different National code series or a Yale. You mat want to look at the ilco keyblank catalog on line and see if you can id the key in the Natiuonal or Yale sections

[apu]

Can you ask whom ever you bought the cabinets from if they have any of the keys? and I guess the bigger question is.. you actually bought cabinets that were all locked?

Well, not exactly... All I said is we got used cabinets!

We bought three Steelcase lateral file cabinets -- the seller had keys for two of the three but the last one is something I know I can easily get a key for so that's no problem. (Not bad for $180 delivered)

We also got a used four drawer cabinet that someone was throwing away... that's the N-23 cylinder ... free for our taking off of someone's loading dock.

And, I'm not really sure where we got three two drawer cabinets from but we got them too. One has a cylinder marked "29" but we have no key for it. Two have cylinders for which a different HON key works but looking up the numbers on honaccessories.com doesn't yield an actual HON key ("294" and "298").

[apu]

The specific info is available in code books or on disk, each is going to cost ya. The N-23 code is either 1 of 2 different National code series or a Yale. You mat want to look at the ilco keyblank catalog on line and see if you can id the key in the Natiuonal or Yale sections

Thanks! I was trying that originally but there were too many keyways to look at for me to find a match. Your narrowing it down will definitely help.