Branson, MO
Purchasing a DE 1994 pin from a guy but he doesn't have the key for the BackBox so we can put it down? Any easy ideas what to do??
(Topic ID: 42208)
You can drill the lock out, i have had to do that several times. Only takes about a minute to do it.
Just pick the lock. The CV I just got showed up with out keys. Had both open in about 30seconds.
Either way works.
Picking the lock takes a little time and practice, but is a lot cleaner (no metal filings floating around) and you have a lock that you can eventually find the key for.
But if you don't have time to practice, a small 1/8th in to 1/4 in bit right down the center will hook the screw on the back of the lock and spin it right out. Problem is on some machines like Gottliebs with a locking bar behind the screw, your screwed because breaking the lock does not move the bar.
I can't remember what a DE backbox lock looks like but on newer Stern's you can simply use a security bit to take out the screws and remove the lock without having to pick it or drill it.
Quoted from MikeS:I can't remember what a DE backbox lock looks like but on newer Stern's you can simply use a security bit to take out the screws and remove the lock without having to pick it or drill it.
Yeah, That's what i was thinking...
If you don't have the right bit to remove the security screws, you can use a small pair of vice grips to remove them. I have done this several times. It only takes a few minutes and there is no mess. I have made a huge mess trying to drill a backbox lock before, and still had trouble getting it out.
Quoted from GListOverflow:Get ready for battery corrosion
Do you think it will take him that long to get into it or it's all ready corroded? 
On my Corvette I drilled down the nub in the center of the security bolt head so I could get a regular wrench in it.
I use a pen clip and paperclip, gone in 60 seconds. Every pinhunter should learn how to pick a lock. Search utube for tutorials.
Quoted from z28dan:you can use a security torx bit to remove the lock plate and gain access,
but most data east use a 3/8 Allen to lock the head upright.
not usually bolted inside, then remove the lock plate once you get it home.
Bingo
Quoted from jrrdw:Do you think it will take him that long to get into it or it's all ready corroded?
More that if the previous owner doesn't even have the key then who knows how long it has been since the batteries were changed
Quoted from sanctumwear:I use a pen clip and paperclip, gone in 60 seconds. Every pinhunter should learn how to pick a lock. Search utube for tutorials.
Everyone should learn how to pick a lock. You never know when it will come in handy. Pin locks are actually pretty easy to pick for the most part. Probably why most games on locations have those stupid cross lock bars that prevent you from getting more quarters when you run out. They are a lot harder to open but i guess that is why they invented bolt cutters lol
I bought one of these at Home Depot for the same reason as it includes the security bits but have found it to be very useful for many jobs.
Good deal at $20.
Quoted from Beez:Purchasing a DE 1994 pin from a guy but he doesn't have the key for the BackBox so we can put it down? Any easy ideas what to do??
Ummm, he is talking about "putting the back box down." Perhaps the "key" he is looking for is the hex key wrench required to release the back box, allowing it to fold down.
Oh yeah...this. http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=590
1 year later
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