Filing Cabinet

[ericmann]

We have a filing cabinet at work that, on closer inspection, looks like a wafer lock. I'm not exactly sure, but when I peeked in they keyhole, it looked more like wafers than pins.

I only have experience with regular pin doorknob locks and was hoping for a few pointers for this one. I don't actually have a kit with me (so any tool tips would have to revolve around paperclips), but I'd like to get it open before I leave for the weekend. Actually, one of my coworkers offered to buy lunch if I get it open before then.

The cabinet is empty and we have a LOT of paperwork piling up on top of it. Unfortunately, we lost the key some time ago and will have to pay a locksmith to open it for us. Any and all help would be more than appreciated!

[Safety0ff]

Most filing cabinets are extremely easy to open, especially the wafer ones. For paper clips I'd recommend you bend one like this _____/ and another like this:
P
|
|___

Use the second one to tension the lock and the first one to push up on the wafers. If it's not a very good lock then you'll most likely be able to open by randomly pushing up on the wafers.

[josh0094]

is distructive entry an option? do you ever want it to lock again?

[SnowyBoy]

Wafer locks are childs play.

I lost the key to my Citroen van & needed to get home for the spare....So i used a flat head screw driver as a wrench & used a thin bit of metal I bent into a bogota shape pick to get it started & take the steering lock off.

Took literally 5 seconds.....

I jiggled the top line away from the sheer, then went for the bottom set

A filing cabinet should open with a small penknife blade that will leave 1/2mm either side of it to the wafers....just jiggle up and down gently whilst applying a bit of rotation.....no need for a wrench then.

[SnowyBoy]

Here it is (please excuse my gamy hands....)

Wafers in their idle state:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3849/cimg4892xn0.jpg

Here they are pulled away from the sheer line (If you pull them too far from their sheer line they will protrude through the bottom of the lock and bind with the lower sheer.....the trick is to get them in the middle):

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/35/cimg4894xa4.jpg

This is a home made pick (this pick has opened soooo many locks, yet it looks so rubbish!)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4458/cimg4896zh7.jpg

Hope that clears it up for you

[Grifter]

I'm with Snowy. A filing cabinet lock should take you no time at all if you have the right tools, but only a few minutes longer even with the wrong ones. Hell, you might want to try yelling at it, I wouldn't be surprised if it opened.

[ericmann]

Thanks for all the help guys! I'm going to try again Monday morning and I'll let you know how it goes. I think I'm just out of practice is all ... last time I picked anything was almost a year ago.

[Craiger]

Just use a Snowy with a double prong tension tool. It should take 5 seconds.

[Abus]

On cheap file cabinets, you can often push on the locking cam itself with a screwdriver or thin knife for tension, leaving the entire keyway open for picking. Might save a little effort if you have to fabricate tools on the spot.

[parapilot]

is distructive entry an option? do you ever want it to lock again?

Anyone drilling a filling cab needs shooting. my mum could open one blind folded. get anything that will fit in the lock and jiggle it about till it opens. that simple!!!

or look to see if there is a number stamped on the front and take that to a locky who will make you a key.

[bumber]

is distructive entry an option? do you ever want it to lock again?

Anyone drilling a filling cab needs shooting.

Who said ANYTHING about drilling
There are plenty of ways to break stuff