Help breaking into my own safe

[BrazosJake]

Yes, it's embarrassing...the last key to my cheap Homak gun safe has been lost.

It's almost 25 years old, no identifying numbers on the outside.

It has the tubular style locks (like a Coke machine). I've researched options:

There is a pick that can be purchased for about $80
A locksmith quoted me $60 to drill out the locks (dunno why he doesn't have the pick)
Or, I can drill them out myself and buy new locks/keys for around $50.

I emailed Homak, no reply from them.

Anyone know how hard the steel in those tubular locks are? Will an ordinary HSS bit drill through?

Thanks!

[affyx]

Dynamite is cheap!

[leehljp]

The paperwork for dynamite probably costs more than a new safe now-a-days.

I would be for drilling it out myself and installing a new lock.

[cabinetman]

Picking a lock is trickier than you think. You could try that and maybe get lucky. If you overcome all odds and get the lock to open, remove it. If you want to reuse the lock to keep the safe original, take it to a locksmith and a good one can make a key to fit.
.

[Mr__Bill]

+1 on another locksmith. I would call around until I found one with the pick or the skills necessary to open it. You may find that a pawn shop can do it too.

Bill

[cgallery]

A couple of years ago, there were news reports of people picking tubular locks w/ the plastic body of writing pens. It really hit the biking community. Some people claimed to be able to pick certain manufacturers locks with ease.

Here is a link to how it is apparently done:
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifesty.../2004/09/64987

Google "picking kryptonite locks" for more information.

[Kristofor]

[edit]

D'oh, distracted by work for half an hour... ^^ What he said.

[catta12]

Drill and Replace. Cheap and Easy.

[RAFlorida]

Here's YouTube

showing how to do it. It may or may not help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as-CP...eature=related

[woodturner]

Yes, it's embarrassing...the last key to my cheap Homak gun safe has been lost.

Search "lock bumping" on the internet. Be prepared to be afraid - most locks can be opened in seconds by an unskilled person by bumping.

[BrazosJake]

Search "lock bumping" on the internet. Be prepared to be afraid - most locks can be opened in seconds by an unskilled person by bumping.

I don't think bumping will work on a tubular lock.

[woodturner]

I don't think bumping will work on a tubular lock.

Oops, missed the tubular lock part. Not as easy to bump tubulars as conventional locks, probably easier to pick them.