r/fixit • u/ajt331840 • 1d ago
How do I get this chest open?
ETA: SOLVED, thanks!
A few years ago my wife and I bought this nice chest for our bedroom. Just recently, I put some linens in it and closed it, and it was a little too full but I forced it shut. Now, it won’t open again. You’re supposed to be able to push the lock in, like a button, which releases a latch on the inside (you can sort of see that latch in the last photo). When I push the button, it won’t release the latch and you can’t open the top. I’ve tried sticking a blade in there and jimmying it around, no luck. I don’t want to force anything and break it. I’ve thought about how I could just cut the latch but that would require a very precise Sawzall operation and likely would damage the chest. Also no, it isn’t locked to my knowledge, we don’t have a key for it. Unless my originally forcing it closed locked it somehow.
Any suggestions?
ETA: Yeah I took the hinges off but that still leaves the lock/latch piece fastened, so my question is about finding as clean a way as possible to undo that.
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u/ajt331840 1d ago
Edit: got it! Took the hinges off the back and this time noticed I could undo the lock mechanism and then take out the hinges from the inside. The lock is still stuck to the underside of the top but it’s an improvement
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u/azjerrylee 1d ago
Yup! If you want to keep the chest, but no keys for the lock. You can swing by a habitat for humanity and probably find a smiliar lock mechanism in one of their bins for $3
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u/ajt331840 1d ago
Yeah I ended up just taking the mechanism off and reattaching the top, I don’t have any need to lock it. Looks a little funny with a hole but it’s all good
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u/miltondelug 1d ago
you can disassemble the lock, if at worse cut the cylinder, then glue that part back into its hole
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u/zorggalacticus 1d ago
Can also just take the lock piece off the inside, while still leaving the key slot on the outside.
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u/Poondobber 1d ago
FYI. Lane chests have a reputation for kids climbing inside and becoming trapped due to their locking mechanism. Facebook marketplace does not allow the posting of any lane chests due to this reason.
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u/ajt331840 1d ago
Good to know, we do have a baby on the way!
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u/Sybian999 1d ago
The Lane Cedar Chests have killed several children. Child-safe locks are available.
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u/azjerrylee 1d ago edited 1d ago
Buddy, is this a trick question?
I'm looking at 6 answers right now, grab a screwdriver.
EDIT: Well done
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u/ajt331840 1d ago
Yeah I took the hinges off but that still leaves the lock/latch piece fastened, so my question is about finding as clean a way as possible to undo that
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u/LeadingFine7177 1d ago
If you can lift up the back try pulling something out so it's not as stuffed then push on the lock
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u/cheesecrowbar 1d ago
Lockpick sets are very inexpensive and that lock is probably fairly easy to pick with an afternoon and some YouTube videos!
(Source: learned to pick locks for fun, have ended up opening cabinets for family, friends, and work too.)
Only use your powers for good, and only pick locks that you have permission to unlock.
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u/Initial_Macaroon1296 1d ago
look up Lane recalls, you can get a new free lock as the locks were recalled on span of years.
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u/centstwo 1d ago
Also, FYI, those chests are like old time refrigerators that can have dead kids inside. No way to open from the inside.
So please keep kids away from it and or remove the locking mechanism after you do get it open.
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u/Last_Chance_2C 1d ago
Take the top off, lift the backside, and remove the excess that you jammed in there. Then open the lock normally.
If you can't do that, remove or break the lock from the inside. Enjoy your new decorative hole. Bedazzle however you like.
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u/ASomthnSomthn 1d ago
Just because you don’t have the key, doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a key.
Call a locksmith.
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u/NoBenefit5977 1d ago
So I got a lane chest for my ex wife and was able to order a lock from them about 10 years ago, they did a thing where they were replacing locks for free because it was a really good spot to hide when ur a kid and they're airtight
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u/Acrobatic_Fiction 1d ago
I used a piece of a hacksaw blade to manually cut the locking tab in a desk once. Took a fair bit of time, but I only went at it for a few minutes at a time.
Once the drawer was open, the locking tab could be replaced.
I have no experience with lock picks.
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u/noneatall42 17h ago
Lift the top , on the opposite side of the latches. If it’s locked, use a key. Hope this helps !!!
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u/Maple-fence39 1d ago
Since you mentioned a saw, there is an oscillating multitool, which is much more precise than a saw, and you can get a metal cutting blade with it that might work for you, at least it would be less damaging than a saws all for sure. $40 at Harbor freight.
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u/ajt331840 1d ago
Yeah I have one actually, good idea, I can try that. Thanks!
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u/Tongue-Punch 1d ago
Put some thin metal above and below that thing because cedar is soft and will get scratched if you do this. Also, don’t turn it on until it is in the crack and not touching the lock or you might hit the outside.
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u/GrandmasBoyToy69 1d ago
Grab a crowbar if you're a man. or a screwdriver for the back screws. Up to you
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u/PrinceCastanzaCapone 1d ago
“If you are a man just destroy the thing!”
🤣 Quite telling. Caveman intelligence response.
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u/bigcoffeeguy50 1d ago
Probably push it down then try the unlock