How to Open a Broken Lock on a Lane Cedar Chest with or Without the Key

I found an older Lane cedar chest at a yard sale. The top of the wooden lid had some minor damage to it, and the lock didn't work. The key was even missing, but, the price was right, so I bought it. Had the cedar chest been an antique with a lot of value to it, the non-working lock would have made me think twice. To keep the value of an antique intact, you really need to hire an experienced locksmith to open a broken lock. They may even be able to fix it. At any rate, a professional won't damage the antique and cause it to lose value. Here's how to open a broken lock on a Lane cedar chest with or without the key:

If You Have the Key to the Lock-
Slide the key to the Lane cedar chest into the broken lock. Don't turn it, keep it straight. Hold the key firmly while you tap on its end with a hammer. Tap hard enough to make the lock disengage so you can open the lid. Be careful, however, not to hit the key too hard or you can damage the wood around the lock.

If the Key to the Lock Is Missing-
Without the key, there's another way to get into the Lane cedar chest. This method doesn't actually involve the lock. Instead, locate the hinges on the back of the lid. Remove the screws with a screwdriver. Once the hinges are detached, you can carefully lift the back of the cedar chest lid up. Have a helper hold the top up as much as possible, and out of your way. Then, look inside and locate the screws on the broken lock. Reach in and remove those screws, along with the lock. If the cedar chest isn't too old, you may be able to get a replacement from the manufacturer.

Contact Information for Lane Furniture:

On-line Customer Service Form - Their Preferred Method of Contact
http://www.lanefurniture.com/Contact-Us/

Note: Lane Furniture doesn't recommend using any type of lubricant such as WD-40 to open the lock with.

Resources
http://www.lanefurniture.com/Contact-Us/FAQ.aspx#L21-145