What drill bit for a tubular retaining plug?

[calvin]

Just got a cobalt bit and it wouldnt even bite on the plug that holds the tubular lock together???

[straightpick]

Best way to remove the retaining pin is to take a small drill bit, say 1/8" and drill down alongside the retainer pin, about 3/16" deep. Then take a sharp awl, insert it partway into the hole you drilled and pry the retainer out. If you're careful, you can then reuse thr retainer. Some retaining pins are threaded on the inside for a 4-40 screw-you just thread it in and tighten and it pulls the retainer out. Yours, however, has a hardened pin.

[calvin]

so drill the casing?

[ElizabethGreene]

Yes, drill through the casing at an angle toward the pin. When you get to the pin, you should be able to lever it out with something.

If this is a lock you are going to sell or reuse, after you rekey it you can hide the hole you drilled with some lead shot or solder packed in and tapped with a hammer.

-ellie

[calvin]

This lock came off my storage unit like 3 years ago, haven't used it since so I figured I'd put it to good use. I did drill it and went right down to the pins. Couldn't pick it before but once I opened the hole to the #1 pin (counterclockwise) I was able to pick it no problem, so it must have been sticking??

I drilled two hols parallel one either side but can't get the dang plug out. It's OK because I was just drilling to see if there were mushroom plugs or serrated or something else keeping me from picking it.

[jordyh]

Could be just me, the site could have changed during my long vacation to the real world...
But isn't D.E. frowned upon around these parts?

[jordyh]

Nevermind.
Pretend I'm drunk and never read past the "drilling" part.