(Topic ID: 137576)

Tips for drilling out a lock

By Hi-Fi

8 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 21 posts
  • 19 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 8 years ago by Leeb18509
  • Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

You

Linked Games

No games have been linked to this topic.

    Topic Gallery

    View topic image gallery

    security-torx-bits.jpg
    #1 8 years ago

    I have to drill out the lock in the backbox of a Stern Stars. Any tips would be appreciated. What size bit, etc..

    Thanks

    #2 8 years ago

    I use a 1/4'' inch bit and go straight thru the middle....

    #3 8 years ago

    Hi Hi-Fi,

    You may want to search for 'lost key' on the Pinside forum and you will get plenty of hits. Here is one example:

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/lost-keybackglass#post-2292389

    Gord

    #4 8 years ago

    easy peasy, just drill away. That's all I did and it spun or broke the piece in a matter of a minute or two. I've done it twice and had no issues either time.

    #5 8 years ago

    There are a lot of ways to drill a lock, but I prefer this method of drilling the pins out. The guy in the video has a little trouble getting it to turn, but 95% of the time when I drill out the pins, the lock turns on the first try. I even taught a bunch of high school kids how to do it when I went and visited their shop class to pick up a pin.

    https://vimeo.com/32757572

    Some people will say to drill the entire tumbler out, including the screw and tongue on the back of the lock, but you don't need to be that destructive.

    #6 8 years ago

    Wear eye protection too

    #7 8 years ago
    Quoted from Wolfmarsh:

    There are a lot of ways to drill a lock, but I prefer this method of drilling the pins out. The guy in the video has a little trouble getting it to turn, but 95% of the time when I drill out the pins, the lock turns on the first try. I even taught a bunch of high school kids how to do it when I went and visited their shop class to pick up a pin.
    » Vimeo video
    Some people will say to drill the entire tumbler out, including the screw and tongue on the back of the lock, but you don't need to be that destructive.

    I thought that was a SNL skit when the video started rolling. Pretty good info though.

    #8 8 years ago

    Also put a towel down to catch any drill cuttings. If they ever found their way onto the playfield it would be an abrasive situation.

    #9 8 years ago

    I like using a bit small enough to just fit in the slot first. Often it will back that screw out that holds the lever-piece on and the lock will still work if you find the key later. Then if I have to, graduate up bit sizes.

    #10 8 years ago

    Have a second person hold a shop vac while you drill to catch all the shavings

    #11 8 years ago

    Have you thoughly checked inside the cabinet?

    I have drilled locks only to find the key a day or so later
    A nail in the corner?
    Loose at the back of the game?

    #12 8 years ago

    On the backbox i usually just unscrew the 4 screws and the lock falls right out.

    #13 8 years ago
    Quoted from Charliew65:

    On the backbox i usually just unscrew the 4 screws and the lock falls right out.

    Too bad the OP's game isn't like that.

    LTG : )™

    #14 8 years ago

    Silly question but have you tried picking it? These locks weren't very secure to begin with, it usually takes me less than 20-30 seconds to get in to one. I don't use real lock picks, just my micro screwdrivers or a bent up old dental pick.

    #15 8 years ago

    My friend was somehow able to jimmy it open. He could not repeat it but getting it once was all we needed. Thanks for all the advice though. I'm sure at some point I will have to drill one out.

    #16 8 years ago

    I've done it once. Stuck the drill bit in the lock..drilled..lock fell out the back..end of story.

    #17 8 years ago

    I use a small concrete bit, goes through like butter!

    #18 8 years ago

    Just start firing away with whatever size bit you want...they all get there eventually.

    #19 8 years ago

    I learned how to pick locks - kits are cheap, and when you pick a lock instead of ruining it, you never know what you find, like the key! (True story - the spare key was locked inside the head.)

    #20 8 years ago
    Quoted from Billc479:

    I learned how to pick locks - kits are cheap, and when you pick a lock instead of ruining it, you never know what you find, like the key! (True story - the spare key was locked inside the head.)

    How do you lock the thing without the key?

    #21 8 years ago

    Also at least on WMS games if the backbox plate holding the lock has the torx type security bits, you just need the right tool to take the whole thing off.

    security-torx-bits.jpgsecurity-torx-bits.jpg

    Reply

    Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

    Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

    Donate to Pinside

    Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


    This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/tips-for-drilling-out-a-lock-1 and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

    Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.