Expert: Rodger Knutson - 5/10/2011

Question
Rodger, I recently purchased a Coca-Cola Vendo V-63 Vending Machine and I understand that its not your area of expertise but thought you might to be able to offer some good thoughts. My machine did not come with a key and would love to try and figure out a replacement but unfortunately its locked and cannot figure out what the lock # is. Do you have any suggestions if I should try and search for the lock # and Key online, or just find and buy a whole new lock and key? Thanks

Answer
Hi Doug,

Why not stick it back in the truck and take it to a locksmith, and have him pick it or have one stop by on his way home and pick it, and make you a new key? It might cost you 20 or 30 or more bucks but I think you would pay more then that for a replacement lock, plus whatever might get ruined by drilling it. This would keep your lock original and save you a lot of problems setting up a new lock for it. Anyway, it's a hard call but I would look into this first as the easiest and best way to solve the problem. The only other way to get that key cut code off that lock is to get the machine open, and if you drill the lock to do just that, then you don't need that key cut code anymore. There is no universal key as different route owners are going to have different key cut locks. Well Doug that is my two cents worth, it isn't much but that is what I would do, only I would try to pick it myself first. Good Luck on it and thank you.

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com