Cedar Chest lock

[mildwild]

I have a 50's cedar chest in the basement that is locked and would like to open it .

I have watched you tube videos and read what I could.

Last year my wife and I tried to open it and she eventually opened it.
but let it close where it locked again.

For the last couple of weeks I have tried myself using various combinations of paperclips, wire, very thin screwdrivers,allan keys and any I thing I though might work.

The lock is about 1/2 in diameter.

Could any one help ?

It it possible that I damaged it poking all this stuff into by now ?



Thanks

[JackNco]

you could easily have damaged it. Best bet is call a locksmith.

[mildwild]

Calling a locksmith would cost more than I could sell the chest for.

I would like to open it for the challenge of it.

Brute force is the next option if I can't do it myself.

I doubt that I could sell it for $ 50 as it all scratched.

[JackNco]

well in that case I have no idea what kind of lock is on the chest but no dount the information to getit open is on here

[mildwild]

Thanks

I will keep trying.

[Afisch]

When you eventualy opened it what tool was that with? may help people identify what your dealing with.

[mildwild]

Actually it was probably paper clips or wire that was a bit stronger.

It was a year ago and I can't say exactly.

Maybe my wife will remember as she was the one who did it.

I walked out of the room just before she got it.

[Jaakko]

Warded lock perhaps? If it is, just get a key blank that fits to the lock, smoke it black, insert, try to turn it, turn back and remove and file away the marks. Repat until open.

[Kaotik]

Chances are, your wife may be able to do it again, unless it was just dumb luck.

On the other hand, she would be cheaper than calling a locksmith. And who knows, she just might like giving it another go to see if she can open it.

[Afisch]

Warded lock was what i was thinking, as a lever lock is less likely to have been opened simply by moving things around in there, search for how to make a warded lockpick and that should give you something to try. Impressioning it if you can get a keyblank.

[mildwild]

Thanks

This all new to me.

I will look around.

[mildwild]

Well it is open now.

Last week all my attempts to open the lock must have made some progress as I got the small button sized lock to turn and push in.

Sprayed some lubricant in the lock pushed, and raised the lid .
Not exactly locking picking but now I am curious about the subject and will be reading this forum a lot.

I think it was a warded lock by from what I can tell.

Thanks for the advise.

[raimundo]

you can cap the strike hole with some aluminum from a can to keep it from relocking. this is easily done and easily undone when you want.
many of these simple cabinet locks have simple keys and the key may be available from a locksmith or even from an antique store. you will have to have a good idea of what its like before shopping for it.
Im with afish, its unlikely to be a lever lock, just a simple warded lock, possibly with a hollow stem key.