Locking mailbox

[y_p_w]

My mom can't seem to find the key to her locking mailbox. It's for a fairly large Architectural Mailboxes box with a hinged, gravity fed door and a locked bottom door. I think it came with two keys, but my mom doesn't know where the other key is. She had the main key on a lanyard with a place to hook it near the front door, but she has no idea where it went. Probably dropped somewhere or in a pocket rather than placed back immediately. I looked at it and the box was made in 2015 but she doesn't remember exactly when it was installed. Probably should have gotten a spare key earlier, but she said that she typically can't find anyone to cut keys without waiting forever. So here we are with a box that can't be opened.

This thing looks really weathered, so it might be time for a replacement. I think it's this model:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Archite...h-Security-Reinforced-Lock-6200B-10/300118175

It does have a "MANAGED SERVICE POINT" sticker on it. But that's totally weathered where the barcode on it clearly isn't readable. As far as I know, a mail carrier just slapped that on one day, but now they clearly can't use it. I suppose if the box is replaced they'll just put a new one on if needed. I don't think that's a requirement for a locked mailbox.

Mom asked me to see what I could do about it since they can't just ignore incoming mail forever. I looked at it and saw it's pretty flimsy. Thought the sheetmetal might just bend. But when I pulled on it, it was pretty easy to just get the latch to slip past the edge. Possibly aided where the hex nut holding the latch was loose. Did manage to pull off the weatherstripping, but that's not a big deal. Not really all that secure, but it might keep kids from trying to look in random mailboxes. Right now it's being held in place with mounting putty. I guess it's not "secure" any more, but no worse than some mailboxes in the neighborhood that don't lock.

I'm wondering if maybe the lock can be replaced. But without the key I'm not sure how the mechanism can be removed without a cutting tool. Strike that. I'm at my parents' place and found that the lock just slips off with a clip removed. The clip was rusty and I just bent it a little where it could be pulled off with pliers and the lock just popped out the hole. But the other thing would be replacing the weather stripping.

So I found this. Anyone know if they're more or less universal? It's the same brand and the website says that it works on most Architectural Mailboxes boxes. It's not the same as the front is rounded while the factory one has a flat front.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Archite...x-Cam-Lock-Replacement-Kit-LOCKSTAM/322389265
https://www.architecturalmailboxes.com/products/lock-replacement-kit/

I guess I might need something to glue the weatherstripping back on. Any recommendations?

 

[skyactiv]

Looks like the common M1key. Any newbie that buys a lock picking kit on Amazon can pick that lock their first time picking. Go on the YouTube channel Lock Picking Lawyer.

 

[y_p_w]

Looks like the common M1key. Any newbie that buys a lock picking kit on Amazon can pick that lock their first time picking. Go on the YouTube channel Lock Picking Lawyer.

I didn't need to pick it. Just fiddled with the retaining clip and I could pull it out.

 

[y_p_w]

Couldn't find that exact one at HD, but they had plenty of generic Prime-Line branded ones. Actually several different styles, although the one with a brass surface was the cheapest. Not sure if it's solid brass, but that's not a big deal either way. The nickel plated version was a bit more, but this looks almost identical to the factory lock other than the color.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-Multipurpose-Steel-and-Latch-Mailbox-Lock-U-9940/100155496

 

[y_p_w]

OK - it's done now. Surprised that it was so easy, although the weatherstripping was torn off. Just used the mounting putty to get it to stick, but it looks pretty bad and I can't get it off certain places.

Not sure what to think about how easy it was to pry it open, but this is hardly a high security thing. I don't think my parents really care other than this has more capacity than a traditional round-top mailbox.

 

[y_p_w]

Went back to try and see if maybe the latch was on incorrectly since there was a little bit of play where the door moved a bit and didn't press tight. Tried flipping it around, but then it wouldn't close. But there was a similar style latch (but longer) in the package and I tried that. There's still a little play where the door isn't tight against the weatherstripping. But I'm thinking it's going to be a lot harder to pry it open now.

I was talking to my mom about it, and she says the garbage company actually replaced this box a few years ago after they damaged the previous one with a garbage truck. So I'm guessing they had some old box (not sure how they got it) fixed up with a generic replacement lock where they used the short latch.