How to Remove a Lane Cedar Chest Lock

Insert any spare small key into the keyhole of your Lane cedar chest lock. Tap it gently but firmly with a hammer until the locking mechanism releases and you are able to open the chest. Be careful not to crack the wood surrounding the lock.

Lift the chest door and remove the lock screws from the back of the lock and skip to Step 5. Proceed to Step 3 if you are not able to open the lock or if you cannot tap the key harder without cracking the wood.

Locate the top rear hinge screws on the back wall of your cedar chest. Remove the screws with a screwdriver to free the hinge. Lift the top of your chest up from the rear to open it.

Locate the lock screws on the inner front wall of your chest and remove them so that the lock falls into the cedar chest. Close the chest and re-fasten the hinge with the screws that you removed in Step 3. Tighten the screws firmly but do not over-tighten them. Open the front of the chest to retrieve the lock and screws.

Contact Lane customer service to obtain a new lock. Use the special form on the Lane website if your chest was manufactured between 1912 and 1987 and you have not received a new safety lock to replace the original lock that was recalled for safety reasons. Use the regular website contact form for obtaining other replacement locks. Locate your model and serial numbers on the outside bottom or outside back of your chest as you will need them for either form.