All mine have numbers 8xxx sorry

Those are only 3 or 4 pin tumblers. Easy to pick. Grind a small Allen wrench down so the short end is 1/8" long, stick it in the hole and rake it in and out against the pins while gently turning the tumbler with a small screwdriver. It should take you all of a minute to get in.

1/4" drill bit, 30 seconds. Replace, it's likely a standard lock like this ($5):

Prime-Line 7/8 in. Chrome Drawer and Cabinet Keyed Cam Lock-U 9943 - The Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...a661a4_145.jpg

I once used 2 paper clips to pick a lock for a pool table. I inserted the straightened paper clip into the cylinder. While holding the first paper clip I inserted the other paper clip and rotated the lock cylinder. It actually worked.
I learned this from watching The Rockford Files.

Seriously those are some of the easiest locks to pick.

Paper clip to brush with and anything else to apply torque with.

Insert paperclip and you'll feel the pins push up. Withdraw slowly and you'll get a feel for them dropping.

The idea is to get them pushed up then apply torgue. As the pins drop they will get bound outside the cylinder. You can feel it happen.

You just keep torque applied to keep pins bound and go back and work th rest.

As a newb Expect you'll only bind on or two pins per brush stroke.

Even still, once you understand the concept should take you less than 5 minutes to pop your cherry.

Thanks for the tips, been trying a bit and you can actually see them bind and not spring back down. Must be getting close.

I got it!!!! Used a paper clip and hair pin.

Annnd its empty! But had the original bill of sale inside from Oct of 1982. I cant believe how heavy it is. Receipt says it weighs 116lbs. I also picked up a ton of NOS in package and unused tools from the era. Will post pics if any one is interested.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492923896.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492923955.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492923979.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492924008.jpg

Congratulations! Now that it's open, should be pretty simple to install a new lock with key if you wish. Or, just never lock it?

I've been planning a job down at the local Wells Fargo....you in :)?

Damn - for a second there it felt like a Geraldo story...

It was a Geraldo story. There was nothing in it.

I have the same toolbox.

It's been serving me well for two decades.

This thread prompted me to check the local CL for tool boxes....wow....no shortage of them there!

I already have one of those tall ones with a million drawers so I'm good for now but I found a little one that included a wide variety of tools - all made in the USA - so may pursue that one just for patriotic purposes! :)

Any ideas on the value of a 35 yo perfect made in the USA tool box?

I would never have expected it to weigh that much empty!

Here's mine, well used. Different key 4012.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492960631.jpg

Now that it is open, you could probably take the lock out and get keys made, though it may be more economical to just replace the lock.

Great looking tool box!

It's pretty clear how the lock goes in, I will replace for sure if I cant track down a key. It seems as though the locks with a W on them may be from a company called Waterloo. I shot them an email so maybe it will pan out.

No idea monetarily, but a very useful item to have and use. Great find! By the way, do post pics of the tools. Snap-on snobs would disagree, but for home use, Craftsman used to make some damned good tools. Operative word used to. Look for "forged USA"..

As far as heavy, I agree. It was a struggle to get the top chest onto my 3 chest Craftsman rollaway. I went with the ball bearing drawers with the "griplatch" feature. This allows rolling the unlocked stack without fear of drawers opening.