AndyRoo Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Hello all, I bought myself a piece of furniture that I am planning to do up; however, it came with a locking door. Naturally there was no key with it so I have decided to remove the locking mechanism and replace it with a standard handle. All good so far, except: the locking mechanism appears to have been put in with pins as opposed to screws. Does anyone have any fancy ideas as to how I might remove it? There's a picture of the lock below. I've tried prying to pins out, but that doesn't seem to be working, and I have a drill - buy I am not confident it is strong enough to drill other metal! Help!! Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Crowbar or clawhammer and hope you don't damage the wood too much? That or invest in a metal drill bit to drill the pins out I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted January 1, 2017 Author Share Posted January 1, 2017 I don't think a crowbar would work without splitting the wood apart - plus there's glass in the door, so I don't want risk shattering the glass. Maybe I'll have to try drilling them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Would a tack remover (upholstery tool) be able to get behind it? Something like this? http://allforupholstery.com/upholsterer-s-tools/1414-staple-and-tack-lifter-osborne-1066.html?gclid=CK3lke-WodECFYaVGwodxM0Gsg I take it you have googled cabinet restoring tips, as someone might have an idea. I guess the other option would be to drill out the pins using a small drillbit and working up to a larger one. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Think I'd try a fine wood chisel. Lay the flat side against the cabinet and see if you can hammer it between lock and cabinet, then lever lock off. Similar to Cattails idea with the claw hammer really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Even if you could lift it a little from the wood, you might be able to get a little saw behind it and saw through the pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 I was going to suggest a small hacksaw. Put it between the lock and the wooden frame and slowly cut through the pins. Good luck Cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 OH a carpenter and joiner has suggested a small fine screwdriver laid against the wood at the top of the lock and then tap with a hammer down behind lock and then gently lever lock off. He doesn't think you will be able to drill out the pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted January 1, 2017 Author Share Posted January 1, 2017 Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try the levering idea... I was almost toying with the idea of turning it into an 'open' display cabinet or something anyway. Now I just have to decide what colour to do it. Maybe I'll have to do some before and after pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Sorted it! It turns out if you looked in the lock mechanism from the front, one of the pin screws was there, so I managed to waggle it until it popped loose. Once it popped out, I levered the rest of the mechanism and it fell apart freeing it up! I've now use some wood filler to close up the lock, and I'm going to replace it with a new handle. I'll post some pictures of the project once it's all sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Jeeeh! Clever you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...