Fixing A Drawer Lock

[woofgang]

I have just bought an old desk. which came with a key. Two of the drawer locks work but the rest are seized solid. I don't really mind if I can't unjam them but i thought it would be interesting to try. Can anyone recommend websites books or videos to help please?
Many thanks

[TWR]

Do you have a Pencil Blow Lamp Woof?

[TonyV]

Try some 3 in 1 oil to help free them up

[Old_Geezer]

Can you not unscrew the locks and replace them ?
If you take them off the desk it'd be easier to soak in lubrication anyway.

[woofgang]

done 3 in one, happy to buy a pencil blowlamp if its what I need and doesn't cost a fortune. I don't want to take the locks off, which will be a struggle, if I am not clear about what the next steps would be and whether I would do them.

[woofgang]

also i'd really rather keep the original locks if I can.

[TonyV]

Are the locks seized or is it correct key , if so let them soak

[woofgang]

I think the key is correct as it works on three of the locks. I am a bit reluctant to remove them and let them soak if I don't know what the next steps are and if there are any.

[Prudie]

The drawers aren't locked are they? with the answer to some long lost mystery inside :-)

[TonyV]

It's difficult without eyeballing them, but do you think they are just rusted?

[tonyav]

Have you tried WD40 on them, woof. Spray some into the locks and let it soak for a while.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WD40-Smart-Straw-Multi-Purpose-Spray-Lubricant-Oil-Rust-Penetrating-400ML-/151384513785?pt=UK_Vehicle_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&;hash=item233f385cf9

[mastercraft]

WD-40 would be the best penetrating oil for easing stiff locks. Do be careful not to stain the wood though!
It's also worth remembering that lots of old (and new) desks with many drawers, often have more than one key! Different locks on drawers aid security.

[woofgang]

yup, done wd 40. I don't know if the locks are rusted or just full of yuck. Poor old desk has had an eventful life and was never out of the top drawer (do you see what I did there?) Some of the locks waggle a bit some are seized solid. No offence but before I start the project I really would like to see a workflow that says "try this, if that doesn't work, the next step is xxx, after that yyy" and so on. BTW I did find an american lock picking site where they laugh to scorn the concept of using WD40 on a stuck lock. Unfortunately the products they use only seem to be available in the US. The site isn't useful to me though as they are talking about modern locks and also locks which are not in furniture.

[TonyV]

Water dispersing 40th recipe should work. WD40 got its name that way in WWII

[tonyav]

You could try something like this, woof.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOUDAL-DEGRIP-ALL-400ML-SPRAY-PENETRATING-OIL-DISSOLVES-RUST-CORROSION-/140938448893?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20d0960ffd

[TonyV]

Wolfgang thinking outside the box (or desk) why not just deconstruct the whole desk and refurb it if you have room

[woofgang]

thank you tony, when looking at that, i found this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171295448627?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
which is what the people on the lockpick site think is the bees knees.
btw, the things that other people purchased when they purchased the Rocol are....well...... interesting......

[woofgang]

why would I deconstruct it? all of the drawers open, its just that most of them don't lock.

[tonyav]

the things that other people purchased when they purchased the Rocol are....well...... interesting......


LOL

[stuey]

WD40, is not really a rust remover/penetrant. If you can get it over there, try "Rustco Liquid". Let whatever suitable product that you use sit for at least a day in the locks (reapply if necessary), and, of course, protect the wood.

[tonyav]

Just had a look, woof. Very interesting items !.

Hope that stuff works if you buy it, woof. A bit pricey.