Lock on tool box jammed

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 2, 2005 | 10:55 PM

Bargod

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,798

Likes: 0

From: Wichita KS.

Lock on tool box jammed

We moved from Lawrence to Wichita Kansas, and when I tried to openmy bottom box tonight, the key will not open the box. I was in quite a hurry when I loaded them up into my truck and had to lay the bottom box on its back to make it under the tonneau. Now only the left side of the box will unlock. Any sugestions on how to get it open? Please keep in mind that I would like to use the box at a later date, so the jaws of life probably won't work. BTW, its a Craftsman box.

Aug 3, 2005 | 03:36 AM

psychlopath

Elder User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 836

Likes: 2

From: Shreveport, LA

Drill the lock. If it's the same as my standing tool box, also a Craftsman, the locks are cheap and easy to replace.

Aug 3, 2005 | 06:23 AM

EBTDM

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 466

Likes: 0

If it is the lock itself I agree, 'Drill it'.
You may also give it a second look and make sure that it is not the mechanism that goes through to locking the other drawers. These may be jammed from items moving around during the move, considering the way it was laid down. If this is the case consider turning the box upside down and giving it a few shakes, to move the jamming items away from the locking bars and what not.

Aug 3, 2005 | 08:53 AM

Bargod

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,798

Likes: 0

From: Wichita KS.

I tried the whole shaking bit, but no luck. Thanks for the fast replies. I guess I'll look for a drill and go to work.

Aug 16, 2005 | 10:35 PM

Bargod

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,798

Likes: 0

From: Wichita KS.

Turns out that I didn't need to drill after all. The problem wasn't the lock, but the sliders in the back got jammed. I pried the sheetmetal on the back out far enough to get a screwdriver in and used it to lever up the latch. Something must have been jammed in there because now everything works fine.

Aug 16, 2005 | 11:08 PM

Torque1st

Posting Legend

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 30,255

Likes: 37

You just forgot to kick it right...

Aug 17, 2005 | 01:07 AM

Bargod

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,798

Likes: 0

From: Wichita KS.

I might have not kicked it right, but you can believe I kicked it. I talked bad too it, I threatened it, and I was about ready to drill into it when I got the idea to try and reach the latching mechanism.