How To Drill Out and Replace a "Tubular Round Lock"

If you have a tubular round key type of lock, start by placing the gumball machine on a sturdy, clutter free work table. Using a center punch and hammer make a starting indention by placing the center punch in the center of the lock center tab and striking it with a hammer several times. This will make keeping the drill bit in place much easier.

Now using a 1/4" drill bit, place the drill bit in the indention you just made and drill out the center tab of the lock to a depth of 1/4". with the outside edge of one side of the key slot. Drill a hole 1/4" deep straight into the slot. Do not over drill too deeply or you could damage the top.

When you have drilled out the entire center of the lock you should have a lock that looks like this.

Now stick the blade of a sturdy flat blade screw driver into the hold and lean at a angle to get a bite on the inside edges of the lock and twist counter clockwise to unscrew the lock. You may need to twist the screw driver back and forth initially to help break the lock free. A pair of pliers or vise grips clamped around the screw driver will give you better leverage if you have difficulty. If it still seems to not want to break free, you will need to drill the hole a little deeper or larger so that you can break the lock free. Be careful not to remove so much that you damage the top.