I have an less damaging alternative to drilling out a lock. The least
damaging method is to pick the lock and then remove the rear lock nut to
take out the lock. Most pinball locks are not very high tech and are pretty
easy to pick, if you have a little patience. Simply use a screwdriver and
an opened paper clip. Turn the screwdriver in the direction the lock should
open until resistance is felt. Keep the screwdriver off to the side so that
you can reach the lock pins, while keeping slight tension on the lock. Make
sure that you are turning in the right direction. Nothing is more
frustrating than trying to pick a lock and then finding out that you have
been turning the wrong direction. Then keeping tension on the screwdriver
rub the paper clip wire end over the pins on the lock. Slightly increase
the tension on the screwdriver. Then rub on the pins again with the
paper clip. Continue doing this until the lock opens. The idea behind this
method is to trap the pins above the point where they engage the lock by
keeping them tensioned with the screwdriver. Once the lock is open, simply
remove the nut on the back of the lock and replace. I was able to get my
first lock open in a matter of minutes, once I figured out which way the
lock rotated to open. If you have been trying for a while without success,
try going the other way. If you would like more detailed instructions, do a
search on Google on picking a lock. There are tons of websites that
describe how to do it. That way you won't risk damaging your classic pin
with a drill.
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