RE: Breaking into a Star Wars cabinet

The panel you are trying to remove, with the square-head screws, isn't
likely to help you gain access. If it's the panel I'm thinking of, it is
also glued and/or stapled to the cabinet.

You could drill the lock out like Neil suggested, or just try inserting a
flat screwdriver into it and then turning the screwdriver with a pair of
vise-grip pliers or slip joint pliers. Often the lock will break
internally. If that fails, then a drill is the way to go. Be sure like
Neil mentioned and clean up any mess you make inside. I usually try to
drill out coin door locks as opposed to back door locks, for two reasons.
One, it tends to be easier to clean up the mess as it is prone to be
contained in the coin box area instead of falling down from the back door
into the monitor, game board cage, etc. Two, many times you will find the
key to the back door inside the coin door.

Good luck,
Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vectorlist@synthcom.com
[mailto:owner-vectorlist@synthcom.com]On Behalf Of Rod Spade
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 11:02 PM
To: Vector List
Subject: VECTOR: Breaking into a Star Wars cabinet

I recently acquired a nice Star Wars upright, but I have only the key
for the front door with the coin mechs. I have neither the coin box key
nor the rear panel key.

I tried picking the rear lock with a screwdriver and paper clip (that
actually worked for me once with a Ms Pac-Man), but was unsuccessful. I
think I might be able to slide out the main rear panel if I unbolt and
remove the upper or lower rear panels. (I think the upper panel might
be glued to the top of the game, so I guess the lower panel is the one
to try.) These are attached with bolts that look like you would use an
Allan wrench, but the holes are square rather than hexagonal. I tried
some hexagonal wrenches and removed a bolt that was already loose, but
the others didn't budge.

Is there some special tool that I need for this? Is it readily
available at a general hardware store?

Alternately, I could physically break into it. Is there an easy way to
break the sort of lock used on rear panels? I'd much rather break the
lock than damage the wood.

Once I get in the rear, can I easily access the inside of the coin box
door so I can remove it's lock, or will I have to break in the front
somehow?

Thanks for any tips you can give me.

Rod
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** To UNSUBSCRIBE from vectorlist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the
** message body to vectorlist-request@synthcom.com. Please direct other
** questions, comments, or problems to neil@synthcom.com.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** To UNSUBSCRIBE from vectorlist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the
** message body to vectorlist-request@synthcom.com. Please direct other
** questions, comments, or problems to neil@synthcom.com.
Received on Fri May 31 22:12:48 2002