I have a metal office desk that has a lock on the front drawer, for which -- not surprisingly -- I don't have a key.

I can see on the front of the lock, a printed letter followed by numbers, but I can't seem to find anywhere the manufacturer's name of either the lock or the desk itself.

I see that I can order relatively inexpensive replacement keys by the lock code, but without knowing the manufacturer, it seems like a crapshoot as to whether or not a key will work.

Ideas?

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

Do you want to keep the lock? If not, you could drill it out or have it picked (and then just leave it unlocked). Although, depending on the lock, "leaving it unlocked" doesn't always work. We have some filing cabinets that were "push to lock". So, of course, when the curious freelancers sat down at a desk, they would accidentally lock them!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2022 05:07PM by Gareth.

Yeah, if I can get my "tools" thru TSA, I'll pick that sucker for ya in a few seconds.

Maybe google a bunch of metal desks until you can identify the maker of yours. That will make it east for you to get a replacement key.

Good luck.
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Usually the manufacture sticker for furniture is on the sides of one of the drawers or the back. Sometimes you have to remove the drawer to find it.

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C(-)ris
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Is there a generic lock that could just replace it?

Take a few pictures and talk to a locksmith. He may well know the lock manufacturer just by the info you have and, be able to cut a replacement key.

I thought about replacing the lock too, but I don't see any easy way to do so -- on the inside end, there is no screw, only what look like grommeted bolts. It was already unlocked when I came into possession of the desk.

I also just discovered, rather by accident, that a cabinet key for a cabinet lock that I just replaced WILL turn this lock, but only if I sort of jiggle it around quite a bit... not reliable enough to use as a regular key, I think.

I did look pretty thoroughly for a manufacturer label or brand, but couldn't find anything. I suspect it might have been on the front drawer and fell off though, because there are two little square holes on the front right of the middle (shallow) drawer. So there might have been a tag that was held in place by way of the two holes.

FWIW, I just checked again, and the lock itself actually just has four numbers, no brand or letters.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2022 06:08PM by PeterB.

When you try searching for the brand, also enter the key code, you might get lucky

With my old desk, the lock was "cam" style -- secured by a narrow nut that screwed on over subtle threads on the inside-side of it. It appeared to have grommets going into the face of the drawer, but they were just there to sink a little into the wood to keep the lock from shifting.

Once I realized that it was just a nut holding it in place, I got the lock out and brought it to a locksmith who made me a new key in about an hour.

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Just looked at my HON file cabinets, all locks have a 4 character code, 3 digits followed by a single letter code. And the letters are E or R in my small sample size.

And a quick search found an Amazon seller that sells them by key code. Maybe you'll find another brand that has key codes that match your pattern.

[www.amazon.com]

Edit: Try this site and enter your key code. For my code it told me it was a HON key

[www.easykeys.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2022 08:34PM by GGD.

LickPickingLawyer on YouTube probably has a video about it.

Quote
GGD
Just looked at my HON file cabinets, all locks have a 4 character code, 3 digits followed by a single letter code. And the letters are E or R in my small sample size.

And a quick search found an Amazon seller that sells them by key code. Maybe you'll find another brand that has key codes that match your pattern.

[www.amazon.com]

Edit: Try this site and enter your key code. For my code it told me it was a HON key

[www.easykeys.com]

Wow, thanks for that site. Putting my number into their search box, unfortunately it could be from a number of manufacturers, but I see that their company offers the option to send them photos and they'll help you identify which manufacturer's key it is. So that's the way I'll probably end up having to go.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)