Can't Unlock my VV, Now What?

[AZ*]

Perhaps this phono needs hammer-unlocking. Chisel-access? Crowbar-based de-latchification?

Although I have keys for many of my Victrolas and HMV Gramophones, I never lock them. I've seen machines for sale that had been damaged in obvious attempts to deal with a faulty lock. It's not worth the risk -- to me at least.

[A Ford 1]

Hi, I had an old 1830ies jewelry box that I received when my mother died. It was locked and I took it to a locksmith it cost $50 or more dollars but I got a key as well as getting it unlocked.
Sincerely,
Allen

[meegwell]

Forgive a possibly dumb question, but: Do you know if that's the correct key? There was more than one pattern for Victrolas.

The key in the picture is the correct key. Does the key work on the cabinet door lock? If so, then the key should work in the lid lock.

It should turn one complete revolution to the left to lock, one complete revolution to the right to unlock. It actually locks/unlocks at the ½ turn point, but you have to turn it the rest of the way to remove the key from the keyhole.

The key should stick about ½ inch into the keyhole.

The lock works by raising the "tongue" up into a slot in the lid where two small "ears" then extend out of the end of the tongue toward each side catching on the slotted plate in the lid.

Hope that helps.

The cabinet doors don't have a lock on this model. Thank you to all of you for providing valuable input. When my wife gets home I will have her sit on top of it as I turn the key. It stops a hard, solid stop at half way clockwise. i am going to lie it on its side I case there is something stuck in there.. I'm at a loss but I want to open it!

[emerson]

Try shifting the lid to either the left or right while turning the key. I had a locked lid that the key---acted funny when tried. Shifted the lid and it opened---turned out the lid was a little loose and did not align correctly. Have patience and try different ways to attempt opening it. Have also seen many gouged pieces of furniture beat up because people wanted it opened the way they wanted it opened and not the way it had to be opened. Enjoy the hobby and what you learn from it ---to share with others. Enjoy

[Henry]

Sounds to me as though the mechanism is frozen. The lid lock on your VV-XI (same model as mine) has a central housing that rises up with two metal wing latches projecting from either side, which emerge when the key is turned CCW ¾ turn, engaging the strike plate and thus locking the lid. Conversely, the wing latches retract when the key is turned CW ¾ turn, unlocking the lid. Try spritzing some lubricant (I suggest CRC Power Lube, available at many hardware stores) over the keyhole into the crack between the lid and the cabinet, using the supplied red plastic tube. Enough lube should be drawn into the lock mechanism by capillary action to free it up, if indeed that is the problem. Let us know if that helps.

[Silvertone]

I had this exact problem. I found a spray graphite solution for locks at a locksmith. I sprayed it in the keyhole many times, wiggling the key each time and it eventually it unlocked. It took several applications. I have not locked any machine since. When transporting Victrolas, I find that shrink wrap around the lid is a much preferred way to transport Victrolas with assurance that the lid will not move. I've been advised that WD-40 or similar sprays are to be avoided with locks since WD-40 can turn gummy over time.

[meegwell]

Sounds to me as though the mechanism is frozen. The lid lock on your VV-XI (same model as mine) has a central housing that rises up with two metal wing latches projecting from either side, which emerge when the key is turned CCW ¾ turn, engaging the strike plate and thus locking the lid. Conversely, the wing latches retract when the key is turned CW ¾ turn, unlocking the lid. Try spritzing some lubricant (I suggest CRC Power Lube, available at many hardware stores) over the keyhole into the crack between the lid and the cabinet, using the supplied red plastic tube. Enough lube should be drawn into the lock mechanism by capillary action to free it up, if indeed that is the problem. Let us know if that helps.

Just spent the better part of an hour wiggling and jiggling the key, applying pressure downward, back/forth and side by side. I've got lube in the keyhole, on the key, and in the crack between lid and frame around the lock mechanism location. Am I going to have to resort to some sort of metal cutter to cut through the lock central housing? I don't even know if that is possible seems like it could be because I can get a cheese spreader between the lid and cabinet. I'm not going there yet, just thinking too much about this I guess.

[Curt A]

Sounds to me as though the mechanism is frozen. The lid lock on your VV-XI (same model as mine) has a central housing that rises up with two metal wing latches projecting from either side, which emerge when the key is turned CCW ¾ turn, engaging the strike plate and thus locking the lid. Conversely, the wing latches retract when the key is turned CW ¾ turn, unlocking the lid. Try spritzing some lubricant (I suggest CRC Power Lube, available at many hardware stores) over the keyhole into the crack between the lid and the cabinet, using the supplied red plastic tube. Enough lube should be drawn into the lock mechanism by capillary action to free it up, if indeed that is the problem. Let us know if that helps.

Just spent the better part of an hour wiggling and jiggling the key, applying pressure downward, back/forth and side by side. I've got lube in the keyhole, on the key, and in the crack between lid and frame around the lock mechanism location. Am I going to have to resort to some sort of metal cutter to cut through the lock central housing? I don't even know if that is possible seems like it could be because I can get a cheese spreader between the lid and cabinet. I'm not going there yet, just thinking too much about this I guess.

If you have to resort to cutting it, be aware that a saw blade may damage your cabinet, especially when applying force to the blade. You might be able to find a jigsaw blade for cutting metal with little or no kerf (teeth are flat with no alternating angled teeth) this would minimize potential tooth damage to the cabinet...

[phonogfp]

If it were me (and nothing else had worked), I'd spend the $50 to have a locksmith open it. You'd come out ahead in the long run.

George P.

[Jerry B.]

That would be money well spent. Jerry