Woodstock Security Cradle - Keys lost

[Alberto Fenini]

Hi Everybody, this time I'm trying to open a security cradle that came with an HP-25 (the calculator wasn't in the security cradle) without having the keys. Does anybody has ever succeded in this ? Thanks for your precious help, Alberto

[Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil)]

Hi, Alberto;

I remember quite well, back in the 80's, when a key maker gave up trying to open an HP29C security cradle without the original key. He claimed never seeing such 'key bay' (is that correct?) in his 30+ years as a key maker, and he was afraid that it had an extra safety mechanism (kind of a pin in the end of the key cursor) to release the whole system.

I wish you success, and if you actually find such mechanism, please let us know.

Luiz (Brazil)

Edited: 21 Dec 2009, 4:00 p.m.

[Eric Smith]

Probably "keyway", the slot the key goes into.

[Alberto Fenini]

You mean drilling and then finding a replacement ? I was thinking of that, but I would keep it as the last resort ...

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hi Alberto,

I know a guy who has been German and European champion in lockpicking several times, if you wish, I can establish contact between you two. He might even do it for a good bottle of Italian wine...

Greetings, Max

Edited: 21 Dec 2009, 4:43 p.m.

[Dave Johnson]

I have had good luck with file cabinet or small keys and jiggling. Just have to find one that can be inserted.