Picking a Mills worm cut lock

[sam2002]

Hello
Just got a machine without keys . I will not drill the lock !
Does anyone have any tips on picking one of these locks ?
Thanks for any suggestions
Sam

[mechanic]

No one that I am aware of can pick bell locks anymore last person that could lived in Maryland many years ago. Most just crack the base and pull the bonnet release levers and take door and bonnet off together you can then dismantle the lock plate and save your lock. However now you need to repair the wood base, better to save the lock!

[Midcoast Vintage]

I have used this system many times.
If done carefully, and, intelligence is used, you can easily open the back of your machine.
get a large flet screwdriver, and, a shop rag.
insert the edge of the screwdriver to the left or right of center of the bottom of the door.
pry gently... again... gently, just enough to raise the tap on the bottom of the door so it clears the slot in the wood bade, and gently pull the door back.
9 times out of 10, there will be enough play in the door so you can slip your hands and fore arm in, and, up through the bottom to release the back bonnet latches.
BE CAREFUL... DON NOT FORCE ANYYTHING.
Once the bonnet latches are released, door and bonnet will come off together.
thenm remove the 2 bolts from the lock backing plate, and separate the bonnet from the door.
Again, 9 times out of 10 this will work, and, nothing is destroyed.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you are successful.

[Lambow]

Here is a web site where there might be someone that can help you.

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewforum.php?f=3

[sam2002]

First off thanks for all the great replies and very useful information !

On with the show : The machine is an old Jennings Pace jackpot conversion ( Dime ) . Someone put a Mills lock on the back ( the lower cash box aluminum door ) . The front lock is the Yale lock . I called the local locksmith , took the machine to him and in a matter of a few minutes he had the front lock and small access door removed , from there it was a piece of cake . I removed the larger back door and the mech , then loosened the base plate nuts , removed the 2 wood screws and gently used a screw driver to pry the lower door from the base .
Locksmith will have 2 keys made for the front lock in a few days .
Machine was loaded with dimes but only 2 of them were silver one Roosevelt and one a Mercury .Cool old machine with the aluminum framed back door and lower front is oak also .

Thanks all and what a great forum !