Wafer Lock on Mini-Fridge

[mechanical_nightmare]

Hello,

I spent the last weekend repairing and installing locks at my dad's office. He also has this mini-fridge at his warehouse/office. It came without the key, and has always been unlocked. The lock is on the lower right corner:





As of recent, the drinks in the fridge are being depleted at an alarmingly fast rate, and he thinks some employees might occasionally be getting thirsty and fancying a Red Bull. So he asked me if I could make the lock functional again. I don't have the means to get blanks anymore (my locksmith got told off by his 'master' for selling me some) so I will probably have to pick and replace the lock.



Appears to be a 3-wafer lock, which should be easy, except I can't figure out how to take it off the frame of the fridge. Here is how it is mounted:



This is from beneath the frame. Towards the side closer to the insulation (the inner side) you can see the cam, which portrudes through a slot cut into the frame, and thereby prevents access into the fridge. From there, if you look forward towards the 'face' of the lock, there is a retaining tab of some sort. I assume I would have to remove the retaining tab with pliers, then pick the lock, but what to do after that I will have to figure out.

I tried to find a key that operates the lock, as I know most wafer lock keys are interchangeable but so far the blank sizes are all too big. I could try milling an appropriate blank and then impressioning the lock, but the only tools I have at my disposal are a Proxxon and hand files.

Installing a padlock onto the fridge is out of the question.

What would be the best approach? If anyone has any tips I would be grateful.

[Squelchtone]

After you remove/pry out the retaining bit, the cam lock should become very loose and unless the cam is too wide, you should be able to pivot the cam lock out of the door, then measure the depth of the lock and Visit KCC Locks on ebay for an Abloy style replacement, or find something closer to your location, since I know USA to Turkey shipping is not exactly cheap. Be prepared to possibly use a grinder to make minor adjustments to the new cam, or hope you can reuse the original one if the threaded post on the back of the lock is the same size and shape. When you remove the lock take note of the shape of the hole, is it a (__) or |__) or (__| and note the limit stops on the back of the lock, and the little reversible plate which will show you if the lock is turned 12 to 3 or 12 to 9 and in which position the key can be inserted and removed. This will all come in handy when ordering the new lock.

Put note on door "You are on hidden CCTV camera!" Until younget the lock replaced

Squelchtone

[cledry]

Contact manufacture for a replacement lock. Remove my pulling the clip and pivoting out. Failing that pay a locksmith to do it.

[pridelock]

I agree with removal of the lock, a good majority of the time, Yale Y11 or Yale Y13 blanks are used. With the pictures you provided, I might also try a Chicago or Illinois blank.
Good luck

[mechanical_nightmare]

Thanks for the replies and tips. It turns out we have a few more of these fridges that are to be shipped out to gas stations, I will try their keys beforehand and if I find one that fits I'll get it duplicated. If not, I will have to replace it.

Squelchtone, we are actually thinking of setting up a hidden CCTV camera, rather than just the sign, because apparently a model F1 car with Red Bull branding also mysteriously disappeared. (It's not valuable, but looks cool!) I was actually advocating the installation of a hidden camera independent of the CCTV system in the office a couple of years ago, but they figured it was unnecessary. Next step would be to set up some bait, and see if anyone takes it.

[mechanical_nightmare]

An update on this:

The fridge was manufactured in Austria so unfortunately I can't get a new lock from the manufacturer.

The good thing is I removed the lock from the frame. I didn't need to pick the lock to do it. Then I disassembled it. The wafers have code stamped onto them; 11 - 22 - 33 - 11 - 33. My locksmith pal told me to bring it to the shop so he can make a key.