Craftman ToolBox-- Obtain Blank Key or?

[chopper]

My circa 1990 Craftsman toolbox, according to my local Sears store, has a key and lock assembly which they say is discontinued and they can't get either a new key or lock assembly and key.

Does anyone know of a source to get old key blanks for Craftsman boxes?

It's model number 706.651030, if that helps.

[lafinfil]

Sears Parts Direct does show it discontinued

I would try a good local locksmith. The lock would have been supplied by an outside vendor
to whoever was building that box for Sears, so a good locksmith can likely match it.

[Doc]

My old toolbox takes a generic luggage-lock style key. Almost any old luggage key will open it.

[Buzz]

those locks are pretty easy to pick if the box is locked shut. if it's open, just replace the mechanism w/ a new one that fits and has keys; they're probably cheaper than having a locksmith do his thing, unless you had some dire to keep it period perfect... maybe if it was 1890's instead of 1990's. keep in mind, once you pull the old lock, you may be able to re-use the locking bolt if it has some sort of bend or cutout in it, as compared to the replacement which may be flat, or bent differently, or not have a cutout, or even if you just get one w/o a bolt... pretty much the only thing that has to match is the size of the hole, and possibly the overall length. good luck.

[lafinfil]

It's not a standard lock from what I can tell (the kind like you find on a mailbox etc ...)

The "bolt" is a bar that runs the width of the chest and secures the lid and drawers at two locking points
so the shank of the lock would need to be able to accommodate this set up.