Ok, so I bought a gangbox at HD like the one below and as you know, it has two cut out slots for padlocks. They provide 2 padlock holders that go inside the cutout slots that you see facing you. Then you place the padlock inside of the slots close the lid and push in the padlocks and its locked. Where I think I messed up at was when I was installing the padlock holders and I think I snugged the nuts down too much so when the lid closes it latches, but it will not unlatch. Even with the padlocks unlocked. So what I have is that latch to the lid is latched on to the padlock holder without the padlock locked and I have no way of opening the lid. Is there anyway to get this fixed without tearing the lid off. BTW, it only latches on one. The other latch opens fine. Thanks for any help. This is brand new so I really hope something can be done about it.
Did you overtighten the nuts to the point the captivated plastic head dislodged? Are you using a lock with proper dimensions?
I would jiggle the heck out of the lock and the lid to see if it will unseat.
Also, the metal latch is supposed to engage under the body of the lock mechanism, I would try slipping a slim pry bar under the lock and pushing rearward while pulling the lock forward.
Is there actually a cord hole knock out in the back of the cabinet as shown in the video? If so you might be able to see the mechanism and even get a socket with multiple long extensions into the box and loosen the nuts. If so, that is a potential security flaw!
If it is the box I think it is and they haven't changed the design, try this. Put a sturdy ring in the key. Put the key in the lock. Turn the key. Pull on the ring with everything you got shaking while pulling. Lift the lid with other hand while pushing the lid back with whatever you got left.
Beating, shaking, and shouting profanity may aid the process.
I think this is a problem they have had before by the numbers of videos and instructions. If you haven't loaded your stuff in it you can always return it,
Looks like the hook needs to be a little bit further back for it to release. So push the hook back while pulling the lock forward.
Flip the box on its back with wood blocks under the box, but not under the lid so the lid can open.
As @CentralScrutinizer says, slide a piece of steel in between the top of the lock and the hole. Use the thickest piece that will fit. Because the other side is opening I don't think you need to flex the hook much, so even really light gauge sheet steel is worth a go if the gap is tiny. Maybe put a v-notch in the end of the steel to keep it on the hook.
Press down firmly to flex the hook while also pulling the lock out using the key like @JDH says.
You will also need to open the lid at the same time so unless you have three hands get someone to help. The strut might do this anyway but a bit more effort won't hurt.
Jiggle, push, pull, twist until it pops open.
Cursing won't hurt, at the least it keeps the neighbors entertained!:
Once open have a look at the hook. Measure the clearances and compare to the other one. If there is a big difference it might need a bit filed off or a tap with a big hammer to move it back a little so it clears the lock. If the clearances are the same, loosen the u-bolt a bit.
Good luck.
Since it latches o the lock body, the whole thing needs to slide forward. Do you have a slide hammer? Like a dent puller for auto body work? Drill out the lock, screw in the slide hammer and wail away. Don't let the girlfriend do it because she will complain her arm is getting tired.: This should slide everything forward enough to let go.
I use the smaller ones for ammo boxes at the foot of the bed. Make a nice bench there.
Except for the shackle, nothing on these laminated master locks is hardened. I would drill the lock body to separate the shackle from the body of the lock.
Drill out or grind off the rivets in the bottom of the lock body. The laminations will slide off those rivets layer by layer. Once you get enough of those out that you will see the latching mechanism. A drill the keeper or drive the shackle out with a drift punch separating the shackle from the lock body.
On one side there is a huge cord knock out that will give view to the back of the mechanism. If you have a socket wrench and work up a 36 inch extension, you can run the nuts off. You can do same on the other side , starting with a 3 inch hole saw if there is no cord knockout.
I am going to HD this afternoon and try to look at one of these boxes,
Unlock the lock, put a 2" X 6" diagonally across the top corner of the lid and give it a sharp rap with a rubber mallet, that should let the latch release.
If that one is like my Greenlee, you might be able to put a 2x4 under one corner and cause it to distort. Maybe under the right corner could twist enough to take load off the lock.
Giving a it a bit more thought, you might want to hold the 2" X 6" against the latch side of the lid and give it a whack toward the back if the other ways don't do the job.
I have the same box, love it. I did make the same mistake and poorly adjusted the u-bolts and couldn't get the lid open. I used a long prybar and pushed in on the lid tabs that the lock engages. It worked for me anyways.
Take a piece of flat steel bar, wedge it in above the lock and start pounding. Start with light taps and work your way up. With any luck it will open without too much force.
Thanks y'all for the great and funny advice. I've been working long hours so haven't had time to look at it again but I would think with all the help I've gotten, at least one suggestion will get that lid opened! )
I have worked out a string of curse words that I am sure will open the box.
Try this:
"***** ** ******* ******** ***** ** ******* *** *** ******* *** ****** **** ******* ** * *****"
EDIT: Never mind, stupid auto-censor.
Success!! Thanks everyone who helped, I really appreciated all of the suggestions. I tipped the gang-box on the back side took a screwdriver stuck it through the opening where the padlock is at and smacked it hard a couple of times and it popped open. Now I need to get different locks. Thanks again everyone!!
Interesting design. It would be great if it wasn't a Master lock though.
They are the easiest locks to pick on the planet. Bosnian Bill is always making fun of them.
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