BudLeiser Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 So someone is trying to sell me a Gumball Wizard with no key. Hasn't stated a price yet. I called some locksmiths to make a key and if its the cylinder key they won't touch it. My thought is to drill it out (anyone ever drill through a cylinder lock?) and replace with a new lock. It also seems this might generally be the cheapest route instead of having locksmiths make keys. Just to drill out locks and replace with new ones. Experiences and advice?
nam Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Bud, Locksmiths are pretty expensive. Drill out the locks and put new ones on. Start with a fairly small bit dead center of the tubular lock (middle of the little center post). Drill down through with the small bit and then switch to a larger bit and drill it again. You will pretty much have to use some common sense here as to how far down to drill. Hopefully you can judge from looking at the lock and feeling when it breaks loose. The reg. key locks take like no time but sometimes the tubular locks can be tough. nam
Medford Jeff Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I drilled a wizard recently. The locks are brass, so they drill fairly easy. Like Nam said, drill with a smaller bit down the center first, then move up in size to approx. the outside diameter of the key. Once you are through the guts of the lock, it will spin right off. Jeff
JPVendCo. Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 how freaking disorganized are people anyway? I just bought a machine and they didnt have the key either. I just dont see how people lose this things. they got a decent chunk of change tied up in these things, you would think they would know where the key to it would be.
alyssamma Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I am always suspect of machines w/o keys. It makes me think people have stolen them... Kevin
antoniocinisi Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I am always suspect of machines w/o keys. It makes me think people have stolen them... Kevin i AGREE ECSPECIALLY SINCE MOST people HAVE all thier machines keyed alike.
nam Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 It is very frustrating to have these sellers without keys. Kevin is right that there is the chance the machines could be stolen. I'd ask for a receipt and if they didn't want to give me one I'd be pretty concerned. If they'll give me a receipt then I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and buy the machines. So often I talk with sellers that have had their machines in storage areas, basements and the garage sometimes for years. Not suprising that they no longer have the keys. We often lose track of our own car keys, at least I do, and that's something we use all the time. Anyway, I grit my teeth and give most the benefit of the doubt and start drilling out the locks. nam
antoniocinisi Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 mental note,if storeing machines in the basement for years put a key in the lock.
BudLeiser Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 Yes a lot are stolen I'm sure. Some they have lost, and sometimes they have somehow acquired the machine without keys. Lost puppy, storage auction, estate auction, etc.
antoniocinisi Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Lost puppy, storage auction, estate auction, etc.lost puppy?
BudLeiser Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 Lost puppy, storage auction, estate auction, etc.lost puppy?ie no tags. No phone number on the machine, and no one knows who owns it.(In another post Jax mentioned the terrible "art" of slammin a location, just dropping off a single head gumball and hoping no one complains about the cute little puppy that has a charity sticker on it.)
BudLeiser Posted May 22, 2009 Author Posted May 22, 2009 So get this, I unwittingly pulled a "nam" on this one. I was looking at a few spirals, and forgot this wasn't a wizard. I just remembered it looked nice from the pic and made an offer of $80. He countered $120. I explained that if it had keys, that's the offer I would have made, and eventually settled on $90. I had to drive a bit, but I went to pick it up, tested the coin mech. Looked it over and drove it home. Drilling the lock was EASY. While moving it about I thought I heard about $4 worth of coins. Boy was I wrong... $44+ worth of coins!
nam Posted May 22, 2009 Posted May 22, 2009 Very cool!!! Sure made a cheap spiral didn't it? So what brand was it? Was the key a round tubular locks or standard key? Glad it was an easy drill but some won't be - especially in the tubular locks. Great deal though - congrats! nam
JPVendCo. Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 you dont have to drill tubular locks out..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Zw4JI4cxs
MrEen Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 Great! Thanks for the tip! I'd give you a POTD vote for that one if we still had that feature. Scott
JPVendCo. Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 click that blue heart a couple of times under my name for me....that way when they decide what that does, I will have some already!
nam Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 JP, All locks can be picked including tubular locks. Not all can be picked easily. I have rofessional lock picks including specially made tubular lock picks for both 6 pin and 7 pin tubular locks. I've watched these videos on youtube and believe me they don't normally open as easy as shown in the video. The flat key locks can be fairly fast and easy to pick most of the time. The tubular locks sometimes and othes we have never been able to pick and had to drill out. Just depends on the lock and of course the skill of the person trying to pick the lock. My wife is much better than I am. Maybe if someone just decided to become a professional and practiced like is was their career they could really develope their skills. I have talked to professional locksmiths that have told me the same thing. They too often can't open the tubular locks without taking too much time and faster to drill them out. Anyway, don't sell your drill yet! nam
MrEen Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 And the blue heart was clicked before you requested. Scott
BudLeiser Posted June 4, 2009 Author Posted June 4, 2009 This only seems helpful on top-locks when I don't want metal flakes falling into the canister. I have tried to pick locks before, not so good at it. :/
midman128 Posted June 4, 2009 Posted June 4, 2009 JP, Nothing like a 50% discount ont he purchase. Nice job.
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