Need to make a key to lock a box

[wolf_from_wv]

My mom bought the following metal box at a thrift store for $3.99.







I didn't come with a key. The guy at Lowes said he's seen boxes like that, but didn't have any idea where to buy the key. The office supply store downtown said they used to sell boxes like that, but didn't know where to get a key.

Is it worth trying to track down a key for it, or a pattern to cut a key? I looked at the lock, and can't tell if it would even lock if we did track down a key, or if it is broken...

[lunchb0x]

doesnt look broken, take it too a locksmith, should only take 1/4 hour for them to make a key to it, their is not that much to it

[SEVEN]

Easy way change the lock.

[lunchb0x]

it looks like the lock is pressed on, so changing it would take too long and cost alot more than taking it to a locksmith to get a key cut

[zeke79]

This is a very simple lever lock and since you have a photo with it open I will not lock the thread. The key is a very simple shape such as this

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Man my ascii art stinks.

[wolf_from_wv]

It has two rivets on each part that hold the lock on. I didn't think the key shape looked very complicated.

The locksmith wanted more than a new box costs to make the key.

[zeke79]

Key will likely be very similar to this one

[Shrub]

Boxes like those are very cheap anyway and lack any sort of real securtiy,

Tell your mum to take it back and buy a better one brand new from a store, the one you have right now even if you got the key is still not good enough to lock anything up in,

Other than that as Zeke said its a simple lock, its possable a warded lock without even any levers in it,

[grim]

... since you have a photo with it open I will not lock the thread.

but maybe it belongs in the "advanced topics" section.

[JackNco]

personally i wouldn't bother with a key. theres one the same on my poker set. i just twisted it open with a hair pin. hang on ill see if i can find a key for it on ebay

[JackNco]

i cant but if i were u ide have a look in in a hardware store for a box thats the same. ask if they have any spare keys. from broken box's people bring stuff back all the time and i always used 2 help people out with things like that.

But to be honest that lock wouldn't stop ANYONE so u may as well leave it open. and NOT keep anything worth more than the box in it.

John

[wolf_from_wv]

Update:

I bought some cheap hacksaw blades the other day, and got out the grinder last night to make a key. I made a key similar to the ones shown, and................ it halfway works... The key turns and pushes the lock, but it only goes down 1/8" or so. If you take the tab on the key, and push down on the lock, it will go all the way down and lock the box. Then you take the blade and stick it in the slot and lift up to unlock. Perhaps this is why it was 3.99 at the thrift store, without any keys...

[Schuyler]

Update:

I bought some cheap hacksaw blades the other day, and got out the grinder last night to make a key. I made a key similar to the ones shown, and................ it halfway works... The key turns and pushes the lock, but it only goes down 1/8" or so. If you take the tab on the key, and push down on the lock, it will go all the way down and lock the box. Then you take the blade and stick it in the slot and lift up to unlock. Perhaps this is why it was 3.99 at the thrift store, without any keys...

good job with the hacksaw blades though, glad you came up with a solution, however well it may work

[Gordon Airporte]

good job with the hacksaw blades though, glad you came up with a solution, however well it may work

And you have material to make picks out of now! How could you not be hooked?

[Isakill]

Yes I agree, very clever indeed.
I'm not good with Lever locks at all maybe I should practice up, BTW beam me a pm if you wouldn't mind.