depending on what kind of lock, if its just a barrel lock that is stuck through a hole in the metal can you grind it flush and punch it out? open and replace lock?

 

try tipping the box away from the lock. perhaps something is causing it to stick. gently pick it up on each end about an inch and drop it. sometimes the bars inside get stuck.

 

sometimes the bars inside get stuck.

Yes.

 

plasma cutter?

 

I'll get to those extremes, if we need to. We just want to empty it out. No one in our lab wants the box, so there's a good chance I can take it home, so trying not to destroy it.

I"ll try dropping it a few times.

 

This will do the trick.:teehee: Or you could try the pick it up a little and drop it. Last time I moved a big roll away a tool was stuck and we just gave it a little drop to shake it loose.

 

what brand of box? most of the bigger names (Snap On, Mac, etc) use a drop bar at the back of the box, so turning the box upside down, or close to it, will unlock it...if you can get one drawer opened, then you can pull that drawer out all the way, reach to the back, and lift the drop bar by hand...
you can also pull one drawer open as you slam the other shut, as long as you open the locked drawer at the same time the open drawer lifts the lcok bar...

 

throw rocks at it real hard

 

open box

Hey if you want you can always drill out the lock which sucks, but you wont damage the box and the lock sets is only a few bucks. Good luck:thumb:

 

Hey if you want you can always drill out the lock which sucks, but you wont damage the box and the lock sets is only a few bucks. Good luck:thumb:

X2 I've done this a few times.

 

if it helps try driving the wheels on one end up on a 1x4 slat. then when you push it off the lock bar will bounce enough to pull the draws with out hurting it.

 

This might be a job for bogginboy.

 

Was going to suggest A.J. Hall?

 

it all depends on the box. a lot of matco boxes can be opened with a flat 1/8 about 2-4 inches wide piece of metal long enough to reach the back of the box and pushing the right ways.

other boxes there is sometimes releases you have to do even with lock cly. unlocked.

don't cut it up there is always a way. pics and brand of box might help.

we have at least 100-200 boxes in our shop and there is always people leaving their keys at home and we have to find ways into them.

a tool dealer also can help you out if you can talk to them.

 

Thermite

 

cant you just open the top of it to unlock the drawers?:teehee:

 

If it has a flat top pull the pad or board off the work bench area. In the back there will be a rivited plate. Drill the plates and lift the locking mechanisims

 

opcorn: