okay, so today my mom found this old secratary cabinet. how she loves to go 'dumpster diving' lol. and its pretty old. but theres one panel the won't open and theres a keywhole. we went to home depot but the didn't have the kind of key we need (the skeloton key wouldn't work). see theres a little stick like thing that you can see poping out if you look really closely. and i tried using a hair pin cuz thats how weird i am but it didn't work. i need to use soemthing thats in the shape of a circle almost so that it can grab on to the thing popping out. if you don't understand what i mean...
it kinda looks like and l <--- if you were to look at in sideways. and thats whats popping out. i really want to know whats in that drawer thats just the way i am and want to know what i could use around the house to open it. have any ideas? i'll take any help i can get!!
2007-08-30 15:14:35 · 23 answers · asked by alexa♥ 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
You might be able to use a needlenose pliers, if you have the skinny kind.
A locksmith may be able to help you, most keep old keys, and the key that opens this is not particularly high tech. I can see in my mind's eye, the key that probably fits, I had an old folding-top desk with a lock that sounds similar. Alas I no longer have teh desk or teh key.
Good luck!
2007-08-30 15:24:40 · answer #1 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm having a difficult time picturing it. Do you only need to pull it or twist and pull? If it's small enough, how about the end of a pen where the ink goes thru? Like the tubular area? Or a straw (drinking or stirring - put some glue in it to grab it)?
Try this first:
If it's round - there's probably a part that sticks out of the cylinder so that it can be caught so that it can be spun. See if you can use small thin tweezer or pick to push the part around so the cylinder turns.
2007-08-30 22:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by BBHunter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I know what you are talking about. It's like a small rod so you would need a round hollow key?? Well, if I got that correct; can you get hold of it with 'needle nose' pliers and turn it or do anything? Or, slide a credit card , screw driver or putty knife between the drawer and the cabinet to get the latch to flip (trun) or twist the screw driver to pry the two apart enough to open.
**** luck. Don't break anything...
2007-08-30 22:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by howdigethere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a close up photo with a digital and take it to the locksmith. This worked for me on an old locked dresser. There are old, open, round keys that look like a cylinder and have a tiny "pin" on them that open the lock. Maybe your local locksmith can identify what type key you need. There are also lots of antique dealers that have old keys in stock. One may let you take them to try.
Good luck.
2007-08-30 22:25:11 · answer #4 · answered by realbohemian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be amazed at what you can do with an old coathanger - if you get one of the types that a lot of dry cleaners use for slacks and pull off the paper thing you have a rounded piece of metal that is pretty sturdy. The other thing that might be usefull is a miniture screwdriver kit. Sometimes you need a couple of tools and hands to do the job.
2007-08-30 22:30:00 · answer #5 · answered by whome 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK well for starters my mom does the same thing, but with worse objects like broken bed frames. So try a long nut cracker, or those things that help you crack open shells to shellfish. Or maybe little screw driver. Or better yet if you happen to have any dental picks laying around try that. If you would like to buy them you they are available at the 99 cent store. It that does not work flit with the guy that works at the make a key store.
GOOD LUCK!~
2007-08-30 22:26:04 · answer #6 · answered by Mel M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get you a pair of long nosed needle nose pliers, then you should be able to get the piece out. After that, with a little luck and a hair pin or small screwdriver, you should be able to get it open. However, if you do not get all of the piece that's stuck, you've got problems. If you do not care about re-locking it, drill the lock out with a drill bit design for metal. You should be able to cut the latching mechanism into with the bit.
2007-08-30 22:29:03 · answer #7 · answered by old hippie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take something paper thin, like an index card and run it around the outside edge of the door panel to find out where the "catch" is to the lock. Once you find out where it's latched you may be able to "jimmy" it without doing too much damage.
2007-08-30 22:27:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lora E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
worst case use the blade of a hack saw to cut whatever holds it shut. It might take a while but it will work if you can stand the time. It sounds like it was free so complete your curiosity and do that or whack it apart! ;) unless you want to pay for a locksmith ;)
2007-08-30 22:20:23 · answer #9 · answered by Christopher N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a locksmith or a safe company. Might even ask at an antique store.
2007-08-30 22:19:57 · answer #10 · answered by MJ R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋