How to Open a Locked Snap on Tool Box

muscl car Veteran Member Lifetime Gold Member

i've got a 13yr old Snap On KRA series 7 drawer roll away tool box that the high security lock is giving me issues/problems . How hard is it to to replace this lock and if it is available also how easy is it to pull the drawers out to access the locking mechanism .is it easier just to call a locksmith or should i attempt this on my own ????
edit : the lock feels really stiff even after lubing and feel like it might break that there is so much force needed to open it .even with the drawers fully closed there is alot of resistance turning the key to unlock/lock the box

Open each drawer slightly (a couple of inches) and then try the key. Don't force it. If you find one that the key turns freely when it's pulled out you likely have a bend in the locking "flap" for lack of a better word. The different manufactures have different methods to lock the drawers and they each vary from model to model. Once you find the drawer you'll have to pull it out to see what he deal is. Sometimes they use clips, sometimes screws etc to hold the rails on to the drawer. They are never really all that hard to get off once you see them. I can't see pictures at work but if you get a picture of the rail post it and I'll try to help when I get home.
If it's not a drawer then you'll have to pull the lock and see if the rod is binding or if it's the lock itself. That's fairly obvious check. Work them independently of each other and see if one binds.

Unless the lock itself is the problem I doubt a lock smith would be much help. A tool dealer might be willing to give it a look but generally unless you buy from them on a regular basis they aren't going to take the time. The systems are very simple and easy to figure out so I doubt it's going to be a big deal.
like dave said try each drawer one at a time. if that is not it look into the locks. its been a while since i was on a tool truck but snapon used to keep lock sets on board for customers who say had a top box but bought a bottom from him. with the set you could put locks with the same key on both boxes.
my old snap on had a little piece of metal kinda of like a feeler guage you would put in the end of the rail on each side then the rail lock or keeper would slide over the feeler gauge deel. i have used feeler gauges before by you will need some that are at least 4-6" long not those short stubby points type feeler gauge.

back to the lock they are very basic much like a mailbox lock usually have a spring clip that holds it in. then a phillips head screw that attaches the locking rod to the lock. however i am not familiar with the high security lock but it looks the same as the one on my box.

hope that helps

For being 13 years old it looks great. Mine is 5 and looks like it has been beat up
You do have to actually use it for something other than storing cat food to wear it out.
Kamikaze Veteran Member Lifetime Gold Member

I doubt it is the tumbler lock mechanism and more what Dave was saying about the alignment and locking bars.
I had a similar problem with my newer KRL series and ended up replacing the tumbler lock mechanism. Even though it wasn't the tumbler, I wanted to match the top and bottom so I had to replace the set anyways.

The dealer / truck had the basic ACE (High security or Rotory tumbler), on the truck in sets but they were the typically ridiculous Snap On price.

Anyways, I had to use my key and turn it clockwise then rotate the outer bezel a couple of turns to the opposite direction and pull out the tumbler with the key still installed.

After pulling the tumbler and then taking each drawer out and checking the alignment, I found that the rods that extend outwards from the lock were not tightened down and locked. So this caused a lack of full throw to the bars going down the sides of the drawers. Once I secured the fastener and lubed everything, it worked even better than the dealer had ever seen.

Pretty Lame to have to spend 2-days and $50.00 to make a $Mega-Buck tool chest work well!