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I'm having an old sewing machine with a simple lock, for which I can't find the key.

What's the best way to:

  1. Find a good replacement key for it
  2. If it's not possible, pick the lock so that it'll be always open, with no damage to the actual lock.
  3. break the lock open, with minimal damage to the wooden case of the sewing maching.

The key looked like one of these,

enter image description here

unfortunately I don't remember like which.

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I think sewing machine lockpicking may be off topic here. – Doresoom Jun 29 '11 at 14:36
OK, although I saw here questions about locks. Should I delete it? – Elazar Leibovich Jun 29 '11 at 15:09
I wouldn't delete it yet - you can let the community decide, or ask about it on meta. It hasn't attracted any close votes other than mine yet, and no downvotes at all. – Doresoom Jun 29 '11 at 15:17
2  
i think this is a fine question. if the lock were on a cabinet or a door, we would allow it. – longneck Jun 29 '11 at 15:18
It may help to include a picture of the lock itself. – BMitch♦ Jun 29 '11 at 15:30
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2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

To pick a lock like this, you may be able to simply push a paperclip into the keyhole. If you normally put the key in pointed down, try to find a lever to press up or to the side within the top or side part of the lock.

If you're not able to pick it, then it depends on the design of lock as to whether you'll be able to slide something into a crack to push a spring loaded latch to the side. You may also be able to drill a hole from beneath the machine to access the lock or strike plate where it won't be visible.

Once you have it open, either remove the lock, remove the strike plate, or fix the strike plate so that the lock is not able to catch.

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+1. Simple old locks like this are usually pretty easy to pick. You may need something stronger than a bent paperclip--find a piece of scrap metal or rod and put a 90 bend in it, then put torque on it while you move it into and out of the hole trying to find the path through the tumblers. More details here: capricorn.org/~akira/home/lockpick – Alex Feinman Jun 29 '11 at 18:03
If the lock is big enough, the wire from an old coat hanger may work. – BMitch♦ Jun 29 '11 at 18:13
up vote 2 down vote

these types of locks usually have a screw-on face plate that is not part of the lock. if so, i would remove that face plate and destructively remove the lock. then put the face plate back on.

also, removing the face plate may give you enough visibility in to the lock that you could easily pick it.

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