Help picking old lock (on a safe door)

[Squelchtone]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here, as I have tried another internet community and only got unhelpful responses... so upon looking up how to open this thing myself came across here.

I have this old safe found on property pictured here: http://imgur.com/Onn6GCw

I was told a locksmith came out to open it before and failed (my guess is he was inept) but either way I want to open this thing cause curiosity is eating me alive

How can I go about picking this lock? Preferably without having to drop money on it, using household items and such. Any info on what to do/use or where to look would be greatly appreciated!

The house is from the early 1900's not sure how old this thing is but would be happy to post the contents of it to show everyone if I can get inside.

Thanks!

JRack

[Tyler J. Thomas]

It's a tubular, presumably cam, lock. They turn either 90 or 180 degrees to open, clockwise or counterclockwise depending on what cam washer was used and how it was installed (both influenced by actual boltworks of the safe I'm sure).

If you can provide a close up of the lock perhaps I can give you more information but there has been a WEALTH of information discussed on this forum regarding picking them, both with professional and DIY/improvisation tools.

[jrack82]

I am doing some searching but if there are any threads you can point me in the direction of that would be great as I am very new to this so you lost me mostly after tubular as that is the lock I understand

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Don't know of any off hand but you might also try searching under "Ace lock" or "Vending machine lock". They're almost synonymous unfortunately. Might reveal a few more threads than just "tubular lock".

[jrack82]

Trying to find a good DIY guide to this but no luck thus far....

[GWiens2001]

do a search here for tubular tension wrench.

Gordon

[phrygianradar]

Good luck getting in to that safe! I would love to have something like that to work on... Anyway, if and when you do get in, please share your experience. Many times we only get the first part of the story, which is a bummer. I have picked a few tubulars and some are easier than others, but one thing you may be battling on this is the effects of time. Collapsed springs would move you in to a whole other conversation. Do the pins spring back up when you push them down? Is it crusty? Give as many details and pics as you can and keep us posted!

[elementary]

As others have said it is a tubular. The way I would go at this would be to count the pins if you can, or post a close up pic.

You can buy a cheap tubular pick from deal extreme for as little as $20. You will need to match the pin count and size to the tool. You can find videos on youtube of how to use it. It's really simple.

I am a newb so this might not be the best advice, just trying to help out.

Good Luck!

[mseifert]

It is more difficult but they can be Single Pin Picked also ..

[mbstoca1+]

That looks to be a star floor safe with ace lock.It should be able to rotate before you are able to pick the lock hope that helps.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

That looks to be a star floor safe with ace lock.It should be able to rotate before you are able to pick the lock hope that helps.

It is not a STAR floor safe.

[billdeserthills]

I can see a data plate on the safe in your picture, what does it say? It should have a manufacturer, a model# and a serial# at the least