FoggyButFocused

Hello all! My treadle is up and running but I just noticed the drawers on the right side are locked. I don't have the key (of course). Does anyone know how to unlock the drawers without the key? I tried a flat headed screwdriver but no luck. Thank you in advance.

Macybaby

the keys come in slot, triangle and square, sometimes you have to try a few different sized slotted screwdrivers to get one that will wedge correctly to get the door open.

There is also the possibility that you've got something unusual that takes a different type of key.

MarigoldCarnelian

That happens to the drawers on the right side of my treadle, as well. I use a stiff card, like a credit card, to slide between the drawer and the cabinet, and push the lock out of the slot in the drawer. Works perfectly. But when I close the drawer, the lock slides back down into the drawer slot again, so I have to use the credit card each time I open it. Someday I will put some tape across where the lock slides down, and keep it from sliding down and entering the drawer slot. Someday....

RhondaBraun

HI look in the hole of the lock mechanism and see what shape it is. I have an old white treadle mission style, actually two and a spare head and it has a triangle. I used a small flat head to open mine maybe you used a screwdriver that was too big?? Anyways cool you might find some old treasures in your locked drawers, just awesome. Thanks and have a great day.

OurWorkbench

Thank you for this tip! I just tried it on one of my Singer treadles and as you said "Works perfectly." I've made several keys but they don't work on all machines. I have one that I used a square bit with. The bentwood case locks have two sides, so probably need three hands to open - so two cards/hands to move the latches and one to lift up the top.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

juliasb

I was able to successfully able to get mine open with a med size flat head screwdriver. I was so long ago that I don't even think about it any more. I was blessed with another one to have a key that came with it. I found it much easier to use the screwdriver than the key.

OurWorkbench

Did you ever get the drawers opened? If so, did you find anything interesting?

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

FoggyButFocused

I did! I used a very small flathead screwdriver. Nothing interesting in the drawers. Just some old needles and an old leather elbow patch. I was hoping for gold bars!

cashs_mom

Hahaha. You can always hope!