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Improvise tool for lever lock? (i.imgur.com)
submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I have an antique desk which has three locks and a single key.

My key continues to work for one of the locks, but when inserted into the other two lock key ways, the key will not turn in either direction (will basically wiggle a millimeter or so in either direction, but does not start to actually turn).

I am a very amateurish lock picker—I can rake a basic lock or use a snap gun, but this lever/mortise lock is very different from anything I have tried to pick before.

I should mention that I used the working lock to confirm that the key fully inserts into the other two locks before attempting to turn the key.

I’ve tried looking up tools for picking this lock and watched some YouTube videos.

I am curious if anyone with experience picking this sort of lock might offer some advice on tools to get or improvise.

I’m including a photo of the key to help identify what might be needed.

Any advice is appreciated.

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[-] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

@Hux The key in the image appears to be for a warded lock. You can buy blank keys similar to that. For instance:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blank+hollow+key

You may be able to remove some warding (could be necessary on either side of the key) and get a key to work.

Look up Skeleton Key Warding to learn more about this.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I measured the key and found a few good candidates on Amazon—we’ll see how it goes once I have them. Thanks!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

@Hux In looking at the keys via AZ you'll notice the "notch" in the key changes positions by small amounts and sometimes to the opposite side. This is to work with different warding. It prevents the key from working in all the locks it might fit into🙂​

[-] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

ooh.. gonna comment here to see if anybody has a good answer.

So the bottom finger of the key is probably doing the work of moving the bolt in the lock. I wonder how far my guess of "two tumblers" is from being correct?

Junk stores or hobby jewelry making shops might have the same style of keys for, probably not too much money. If the metal is fairly strong, you could try to find a key with the same size barrel and lever. File the lever part so that the opening is larger towards the barrel than your one working key and maybe get away with filing down the top part of the barrel to give yourself some space to get a pick in over the top. This modified key will be your torque wrench and a bent wire over the top to try to wiggle the tumblers.

If you can get the desk on its back or maybe flipped upside down that might help fight the springs (if there are any).

I went and looked at the internet for videos and found one here that made me think I was on the right track

Invidious link to a youtube video from Lock Noob: (093) Beginners Guide to Curtained Lever Locks and Lever Lock Picking

The lock in the video is way more complicated than a simple desk drawer but I'd imagine that the basics should be the same.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Thanks for the detailed reply, also that video is probably the best I’ve seen. Thanks!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

@D61 @Hux
Jason has made several good videos for "furniture locks". This might be a good starter here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPIHiIYSjW8

this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
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