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Broken key in lock
- Thread starter Macduf
- Start date
p_mori7
Well-known member
Take the knob or deadbolt off the door. You should be able to push it out from the back when the mechanism is exposed if I remember correctly.
kerrynzl
Well-known member
dentist pick
mixerfixer
Well-known member
Shot of high pressure air???
p_mori7
Well-known member
If you have an old coping saw blade, you could break it in half and try to use the thin serrated end remaining as an extractor.
kckndrgn
Well-known member
I've seen my FIL put a small, very small, dab of super glue on the part of the key he had out, insert in the key hole, wait a few seconds and then pull the broken piece out.
If you don't have the other half of the key, try a small dowel or similar sized key with the glue.
Of I shouldn't need to say, but if you put too much glue on and it oozes out, you risk gluing up your lock.
If you don't have the other half of the key, try a small dowel or similar sized key with the glue.
Of I shouldn't need to say, but if you put too much glue on and it oozes out, you risk gluing up your lock.
marinusdees
Well-known member
Locksmiths use broaches. Try a local locksmith supply. Or, try a local endodontist. They use barbed broaches to extirpate pulps in vital teeth. A locksmith friend of mine tried dental broaches and was disappointed. Just an idea.
as others have said get a small hardened pc of metal and try to extract it by pulling it out. a bit of wd40 or other lub will help it be slippery to make it easier to pull out.
or
get the lock apart, remove the tailpiece from it, and push the key out from the keyway, do not try to do it with the cylinder cap removed .
or
get the lock apart, remove the tailpiece from it, and push the key out from the keyway, do not try to do it with the cylinder cap removed .
metalmagpie
Well-known member
I suggest plumbing air to a really teeny hypodermic syringe, like a no. 30. Work the point as far in as you can and then apply compressed air *behind* the broken off part.
If that doesn't work, drill out the lock. A new lockset will cost you what, forty bucks?
metalmagpie
If that doesn't work, drill out the lock. A new lockset will cost you what, forty bucks?
metalmagpie
Captain Spaulding
Well-known member
Toothpick with a dab of superglue on the end. I found it much easier to hold the toothpick still while the glue set than the paperclip I tried the first time.
ar2stp48
Well-known member
"...Exterior door on apartment building, broken 1/4 inch inside lock..."
Remove the lock cylinder from the door. Standard knob lock, deadbolt, commercial with screw in cylinder---remove the lock to the cylinder alone. You can push the broken piece out from the back. The core will not come out and scatter pins; you said key was only 1/4" in lock, some pins still have it locked in place
No need to drill and destroy a lock. And I would not put super glue anywhere near the pins of a lock. If you were closer, I might suggest it---I would be assured of a $$$ lockout call. Just kidding
Key extractors work, but not readily available. Have a couple of sets of them; the single barb works best for me
Remove the lock cylinder from the door. Standard knob lock, deadbolt, commercial with screw in cylinder---remove the lock to the cylinder alone. You can push the broken piece out from the back. The core will not come out and scatter pins; you said key was only 1/4" in lock, some pins still have it locked in place
No need to drill and destroy a lock. And I would not put super glue anywhere near the pins of a lock. If you were closer, I might suggest it---I would be assured of a $$$ lockout call. Just kidding
Key extractors work, but not readily available. Have a couple of sets of them; the single barb works best for me
if you have access to take the cylinder out, then ram it back out from the other side.
if not, a dental pick ....
if the broken key is the correct key cut for that cylinder/lock. then try to push it in a little and pick the remaining pin that is not seated while turning it..... and then take out then cylinder ram it out from the other side....
Locksmith used those extremely sharp hooks made out of spring steel.. and try to catch it on the brass and pull... works sometimes, most of the time it doesn't.... at least I don't have any success with the few times I tried.
if not, a dental pick ....
if the broken key is the correct key cut for that cylinder/lock. then try to push it in a little and pick the remaining pin that is not seated while turning it..... and then take out then cylinder ram it out from the other side....
Locksmith used those extremely sharp hooks made out of spring steel.. and try to catch it on the brass and pull... works sometimes, most of the time it doesn't.... at least I don't have any success with the few times I tried.
rlitman
Well-known member
If you have an old coping saw blade, you could break it in half and try to use the thin serrated end remaining as an extractor.
This is the best answer. However, there are several good options.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Most keys are brass (so they wear instead of the pins).
If you can take the lock apart I would think that would be easiest to work with. Otherwise many posts above has some good tips to try.
If you can take the lock apart I would think that would be easiest to work with. Otherwise many posts above has some good tips to try.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have used Gorilla glue to connect the broken key. In a few minutes I was able to carefully pull the broken piece out. I thought I was a genius until I told my locksmith friend and he said this is one of things he tries, first. Oh, well.
coping saw blade modded on a grinder makes a tool as good as pro key extractor in 2 minutes.
tiny bit of glue or epoxy can work but can make things worse so not what I would do first.
a long pin with end bent as small hook works good too .
tiny bit of glue or epoxy can work but can make things worse so not what I would do first.
a long pin with end bent as small hook works good too .
AE2
Well-known member
PM jeffmoss26. He is a lock guy and I'm sure he will have good advice.
cdestuck
Well-known member
Just move.