warded cabinet locks

[Dak]

So i understand trying to find the wards but other then that I understand I need to find a bolt and a lever (maybe), what do these things feel like? When im "poking" around in my few warded cabinet locks nothing gives so I don't know if Im feeling the right things or not. Nothing slides or lifts.


help please

[Raymond]

DAK,

Is your cabinet open or locked? Do you have the key? If you have the key or it is open, open the cabinet and take the lock out so you can see what you are asking about. Is the key flat steel, solid and round with a flag, round with a hole in the flag end? Where was it made? How old is it? Is there a brand name?

I kindly suggest that you do NO more poking until you understand what you are feeling for. Locks can be rendered inoperably by ignorant poking. Look at several of the stickies regarding lever and warded locks. Please do your homework and come back later to ask more specific questions.

Wards are usually solid and unmoving. Levers are usually spring loaded and can be moved. The bolt will move when pushed properly if the lever is raised correctly.

There are many different kinds of cabinet locks. Until we see exactly what you are asking about we cannot give precise advise. This forum has a lot of people with considerable experience and most love to share their knowledge. LOL

Raymond

[Dak]

Is your cabinet open or locked?

either I have the key

Do you have the key?

If you have the key or it is open, open the cabinet and take the lock out so you can see what you are asking about.

unfortunately this is not possible. This lock was lent to me by a friend of mine and is actually in a piece of furniture. He doesn't want me to take it out because he is afraid the door of the cabinet might be damaged. It wouldn't be damaged by my taking it out, but I'm not going to anyway.

Is the key flat steel, solid and round with a flag, round with a hole in the flag end?

It has a hole in the flag end and yes there is a coresponding post in the lock. The flag has one little valley for a small ward.

Where was it made? How old is it? Is there a brand name?

I wish I knew

[Raymond]

Thanks for supplying some additional info. This may be enough info to give you most of an answer.

I am guessing that the ward cut is in the inner side of the flag. A great many of these locks have this ward cut only for looks and the lock doesn't actually have any wards.

From most of these I have seen, and given the fact that there is only one ward cut, I will presume that there is only one lever and one bolt movement. The full width of the key raises the lever and pushes the bolt at the same time. You will have to move the pick to the side or up above the post in the keyway to contact either. The lever will be springy and the bolt will be loose but will not move until the lever is lifted. Almost anytool that can contact both at the same time can be used to open it. The post is the most difficult part of the warding in this type to work around.

LOL
Raymond

[Dak]

here is a crude drawing of the lock for ya if it would help

[Dak]

update: i picked that evil of a lock. Just so you know the bolt is just enormous and I had to mangle a coat hanger to get the pick strong enough

[Raymond]

Congratulations!!

Sucess is its own reward. And, aint it sweet!

[Dak]

indeed it is. thank you for your help.