You cant just take out the screws holdingg the plate?

Also the regular locks are not that hard to pick..the double sided key types are the hard type. As Rondogg suggests if it's on the back box you can use the security type bits and remove the whole plate.

For assistance and education for pinball enthusiasts, as there is some incorrect advice here.

The lock is not the issue, but the way it is mounted and used. If a person has not owned an F-14, they may not be aware of the following information:

This is special case System 11 game.

This is not a WPC game that has a standard lockplate with torx security screws at the front of the backbox.

Neither is it a standard a System 11 game, similar to Early Ballys with the lock on the right side of the backbox with the swing bar.

It has the backbox lock on TOP of the backbox that sits near the middle beacon.

It is recommended that this lock be PICKED, and use a "dummy key", so the owner can then rotate the swing channel lockbar inside the backbox that secures the translite.

If you don't, and it is drilled, the owner may have a hell of a time turning the channel bar inside the backbox unless the lock is completely cored, and a long flat screwdriver is inserted to twist the bar back towards the rear of the backbox. It certainly not impossible however, the other way is just an easier method, unless lock is a tubular cam type, which requires much more drilling and a stronger bit.

The reason the lock was mounted in this fashion was due to the way the beacon assembly is mounted on the top of backbox, with pulleys and motor assembly.