making a key from a lock

by **sevenply** » 29 Sep 2004 18:36

I know with tubular locks you can use the tubular pick and determine how to make a key. Is there any way to do this with a regular lock such as a mailbox lock?

My friend had his keys stolen last week. He had a locksmith come and drill his lock out and put a new one in for $400 bucks. He lives in an apartment building, this is NYC... His mailbox key was also on the keyring. He is convinced the mailman can open his mailbox (I'm not because the mailman's key goes in the center at the top, all the mailboxes tip forward and he top loads the mail, I dont see why his key would work in individual mailboxes). Say he is right and the mailman can get his mailbox open, is there any way for him to determine what the specs are for a key to be made? In such a way he could go to a hardware store and have them make him a key? Any other cheap solutions for him?

by **MrB** » 29 Sep 2004 18:59

The mailman usually has a key that can access all the mailboxes at once. With such a key, why would he possibly be interested in making or duplicating a key for just one mailbox?

by **sevenply** » 29 Sep 2004 19:04

The only reason the mailman plays into this is because right now his mailbox is closed and he has no way to get in. If the mailman can open his mailbox and leave it unlocked now he can get at his lock. With access to his lock is there anything he can do? Such as figuring out the settings to get a key made...

by **MrB** » 29 Sep 2004 19:18

If someone has access to the keyhole, they can pick a lock or make a key for it (given time and sufficient skill...). There is no need for the lock to be opened first.

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 29 Sep 2004 21:24

Does he own the mailbox or does it belong to the landlord?

Anyway...

If he wants to remove the lock, then he would need access to it, so if you pick it open or have the mailman let you access it if possible, then you can get the lock out if you want, I guess. Take the lock into a locksmith and have him trade it in for a different one or change the bitting/wafers etc.. You don't want to just make a key, or the thief will still have a key to your mailbox! :shock:

$400 seems pretty steep to me! What's he got? ..a Medeco? I hear they use a lot of Medeco in NYC so that wouldn't surprise me I guess.

That was for his front door right?

You could always get a blank and try impressioning a key, but if your friend is in a hurry, call a locksmith. I really think the landlord should handle mailboxes, and he might even have extra locks and keys to switch it out for your friend.. Worth a try!?

Anyway, good luck to your friend!

by **sevenply** » 29 Sep 2004 21:58

For $400 dollars they put in a mul-t lock to replace the one that was drilled out. I saw the key, looks like a dimple lock. They use a mul-t lock on the front door of the building as well. The mailbox belongs to the landloard just like the door and lock that got drilled. The super says he has no copies so my friend is repsonsible for getting them replaced.

It is sounding like his best options are either have a locksmith come and replace the lock or remove the lock himself and take it to a locksmith and have it replaced or rekeyed.

by **locksmistress** » 30 Sep 2004 8:38

Be careful with the post office...

If the mailboxes are located inside the exterior door of the apt, it seems that the exterior door lock should prevent 'the thief' having access to his mailbox - unless they got the exterior key as well?.

There are a lot of regulations about mailboxes - but if your friend (or someone) can be there when they open up the mailbox, the lock is usually only put on with a nut or clip. If the postal carrier will allow it, your friend should pull the cylinder himself and take it into a shop. Way cheaper than having a 'smith come out - sometimes the locks have codes stamped on them or they are rekeyable - but most often they only cost about $15.00 to replace entirely.

He should definately get the advice of his mail carrier on how to procede because if he does it wrong, the mail carrier is the one who reports it. I can't remember, but I think that any sort of messing around with the mail can still be charged as a felony - it sounds stupid - but don't tick off your mail carrier.

by **Romstar** » 30 Sep 2004 9:03

Ah yes, the United States Postal Service.

The go anywhere, do anything federal agency. About the only people who might be scarrier are FEMA and DHS.

The FBI? The CIA? Hah, go look at some of the acts and regulations that govern the post office, FEMA and DHS if you really want to get paranoid and scared.

In Canada the only vehicle that is officially unable to be fined for speeding is a mail truck. They are on "the Queen's own business".

Lockmistress is right. Don't screw with the post office.

Romstar

by **mbell** » 30 Sep 2004 10:00

Romstar wrote:
In Canada the only vehicle that is officially unable to be fined for speeding is a mail truck. They are on "the Queen's own business".

Wow! A few months ago an ambulance driver (transporting some human organ) was actually fined and had penanly points put on his license for speeding! Naturally he tried to fight it through the courts to change the decision. I can't remember what the final outcome was but isn't it just ridiculous!

I'm going a little of the original topic now. I really must stop doing that.

by **MrB** » 30 Sep 2004 13:18

Yes, I read about that ambulance incident! Apparently it got so much publicity the government said they were going to change the law to make special mention of the emergency services. I think what usually happens now is the police apply common sense and decline to prosecute in such cases. But I've seen police cars speed through speed cameras and get flashed. That's annoying, since the police are then responsible for deciding whether or not to prosecute themselves. Tough decision...

Also, when I read up on the law in the UK, I believe there is a defence against speeding if you can show you were acting in the "greater good" and you therefore had legitimate reasons for doing so. I would have engaged a solicitor in that case and tried very hard to make such a defence. I am not sure what went wrong in this particular case.

by **Chucklz** » 30 Sep 2004 15:07

The USPS also has their own keyway. Its the often fabled "reverse 8 " keyway. I know we have all heard our share of "stories" from well meaning lock people, but from the way I understand it, possession of blanks is against postal regulations, ie felony. If the post office owns the lock in question, then theres a fair bet you have to see them about replacement.

by **sevenply** » 30 Sep 2004 19:32

I'm aware pretty much any criminal offense against anyone or anything resembling the USPS is a felony. From what I understand these mailboxes are installed by the landlord. There are two rows of 10 mailboxes (approximately). In the top center of each row is a single lock that locks into the upper frame. When installed that top lock is empty and later the Post Office installs the lock. The locks for each individual mailbox are there all along. That is why I don't see why the mailman would be able to open an individual mailbox. They unlock that top lock, then the top of the mailboxes pull forward allowing the mailman to load the mail through the top of the box. If the mailman can't help him then he has no choice but to call a locksmith. One would hope both of these individuals would be able to stay out of legal trouble in this situtation.

by **raimundo** » 16 Oct 2004 13:19

A few years ago, someone bought a bank of post office boxes at a post office auction, and all had the reverse yale 999 keyway, he asked me to do the job of fitting keys, these locks were unique cylinders so they could not just be replaced, I don't remember exactly where I got the blanks, probably one of the local jobbers, but I had no trouble getting reverse yale blanks, and I keyed about 200 of these locks. It seems that the controls are not strict or exercised in this area.

by **wzd** » 27 Oct 2004 22:53

The description of the post master having the key to the top is right on. The individual box keys (and the mailbox) are the responsibility of the owner (in the US at least). The landlord is an idiot if he did not keep copies! (I'm a landlord...)

The locks for the individual boxes are easy to open, pick, or remove with the cooperation of the postman. One source of the locks is home depot supply. Take a look at http://hdsupply.com/prmw95/mwus/jsp/pro ... ?oid=40652 for one sample lock. It should be about a $30 to $50 job for a locksmith to come out and do it....and it is a $4 part!

good luck

by **openSesame** » 26 Mar 2005 0:05

this is the exact lock used in my apt complex mailboxes. i will definitely have to go to back to home depot and pick up one of these to practice on. i tried fiddling with mine, but i didn't get very far - but i have just started learning about this. i got a 3-piece probe set that i am filing down a bit. i think they will work well. from what i have read these particular locks are easy to pick - so i hope i will be able to open one quickly very soon.

i am talking about the individual locks on each mailbox - not the one at the top in the center that allows all the boxes to tip forward for the postman. although, i would like to know more about picking that lock as well. it seems like it would be more difficult- the lock looks similar, just a bit bigger. if a slot screwdriver is inserted, the lock can be turned cw 90 degrees with little effort- but this does not release the lock. these are bonner mailboxes. any ideas?

btw, this is my first post. looks like there is a wealth of great info here- glad to be here.

making a key from a lock

making a key from a lock

chucklz mail box post

One source for the locks

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