I picked a Mills Vest Pocket lock!

[Sslots]

It was half of the key. But it wasn't a original mills lock, but I'm still going to take the broken key to a key Smith to see if they can mould me a new one to save on a lock

[shortrackskater]

Ok so you picked a replacement lock then?
Waaaaaaaay different than picking a VP lock but good work nevertheless.

[Bally Bill]

Hello All, This is an old post but I had success picking a Mills Vest Pocket lock using a couple of old school protractors. 20-30 mins of slowly adding tension on the pins until the lock opened- Bally Bill

[shortrackskater]

Have you taken the old lock apart?
Not that I'm trying to put down your clever method here, but that just seems too easy unless the pins had been filed at one time. Just adding tension to the pins uniformly makes me think the lock may have been rebuilt at one time. Mine took hours of varying pressure, feeling the lock turn just fractionally with multiple manipulations. Can you post a photo of the lock?
Thank you!

[Bally Bill]

Hello, I applied a small amount of PB blaster and let it sit overnight then tried this picking method mostly out of curiosity. I don't know if the previous owner attempted picking the lock but I had the intention of drilling it out but thought it was worth a shot. One of our forum members has gracious offered a very nice VP lock and key which I plan on installing on my VP restoration project when its complete.

[shortrackskater]

That IS a very gracious offer of another VP lock and key! They sell for well over $100. I would definitely keep your other lock. I have a friend out in Wasilla AK that is a master locksmith. I sent him that lock with a different key and the lock came back to me fully functional! I just PM'd member 63mini and maybe he'll chime in here.
Hope you start a restoration thread for you VP. I'd love to see it.

[Bally Bill]

Hi, I was lucky enough to get a reply for my VP lock/key request, but I do have to pay for the lock. I 'am excited to meet a local member of this forum and talk about the world of mechanical slots and hopefully gain more knowledge of this great hobby. I will save the VP lock and it would be nice to get a key made so I can offer it for sale to our coin Op members looking to complete or replace the lock on their VPs or Mills QT machines. I will post some before and after pictures of this Vest Pocket #422 when I finish the restoration in a separate thread. Regards Bill

[shortrackskater]

Ah! Ok that makes more sense.
Wait... we've communicated before, right? And you're Bally Bill on NLG? You're probably seen me on there... every hour, every day!

[Bally Bill]

Hello and Yes I log into NLG for time to time to read some post from new members. If my memory serves me correct, I think sold you a Japanese Sega machine years ago via the Bay and we made the exchange in Lake Forest Ca and talked about the NLG/EM world.

[shortrackskater]

Ah!!! Yes ... we met at Carl's Jr and had lunch! That Sega ended up getting sold to Ed, who is 63mini here and on NLG. I have numerous other Mills VP's to work on. I have two restored and then bought the one mentioned here at an estate sale. That was the lock I picked and had re-keyed by a friend/locksmith in Wasilla AK.
Small world!!!
I REALLY want to start restoring my other VP's as well. I spend a lot of time on NLG though as now I'm, for the most part, the main administrator.
And OH I miss Orange County. I moved to the high desert two years ago... just couldn't afford my own city.