where to store your keys

I learned today not to store my pinball keys in the coin return box of a coindoor..

Usually I just leave the keys on the game in the lock. This works for all my games.
But on my Cactus Canyon, there's a lock installed with a round key. The problem is that the key pops out when the lock is in the locked position. So I had to search for another place to store that key.
My first idea was to put it in the coin return box of a coindoor. Behind the metal plate it's hidden out of view, and you can easily reach it when you need it.
I'd seen some other collectors also store their keys in that place.

When I wanted to lower the volume on Cactus Canyon earlier this evening, I discovered my idea to store the key in the coinreturn wasn't that good..
I have a big box of tokens, and my daughter likes to drop coins in the games.. even when they're switched off. So I had a coinreturn that was filled with jammed coins.
Had to remove them one by one until the metal plate could be moved back enough to remove the key and the rest of the tokens..

lock picking guide

I recently saw a documentary about lock picking. It was impressive how fast professionals can open locks.
On my site I also have a page about opening locks
which gives you some information.

When you drill a lock you should first use a thin drill bit and follow up with a slightly larger bit. If you look at the picture on that page of the drilled slotmachine lock, it's drilled open too much. A smaller bit would have worked also.
I've even seen games where people completely drilled out the complete lock !
This takes a long time and is not necessary.. just a small drill through the center should be enough, so you have enough part of the lock left to rotate.