Yesterday I picked up two tool cabinets, both eye height, an 11 drawer Vidmar and a 17 drawer Lyon. The Lyon had a poor attempt to unlock via drilling, then some sort of mangling which bent the lock mechanism. I got them home and unloaded via a Uhaul trailer. The Vidmar is re-assembled and ready to receive tools.
I want to repair the lock mechanism on the Lyon before reassembly. I've managed to remove the drilled lock. The locking mechanism in the back of the cabinet, on the other hand, is more of a challenge. The operating rod hole at the front, locking mechanism bolt hole at the back, and lock bar pivot (the lock bar is built up to resemble a vertical angle which pivots into a recess in each drawer frame to lock all drawers) at the back are all curved slots which have been closed enough to prevent removal of much anything. I can almost, but not quite remove the locking mechanism over the lock bar pivot. This sucker was not intended to be disassembled.
Tomorrow, I plan to file or grind the slots enough to allow removal of the operating rod, lock mechanism, and lock bar. At that point I'll be able to straighten the lock mechanism and determine everything's working before I reinstall. A trip to the locksmith should provide a new lock.
Anybody got any other suggestions for opening the slots?
Thanks.
Pete Keillor