Broken key – Easy ways to get a broken key out of a lock

Easy ways to get a broken key out of a lock

The easiest option when the key is broken in the lock is to find the tweezers, firmly hold the protruding chip and turn it to the neutral position, then pull it out. Instead of tweezers, you can use small pliers that you can borrow from a neighbor. The result largely depends on the size and mobility of the protruding fragment. If the stuck segment is jammed. It will not be possible to cope with the task of turning it around with the help of tweezers.

One way to get a broken key out of the lock

One way to get a broken key out of the lock involves using a lighter and a hard stick of hot melt adhesive. Hot melt glue is heated with a lighter and pressed tightly against the protruding tip.

The curing time of the adhesive is a few seconds. After waiting a minute to be sure, you can pull out a chip from the keyhole. The method is effective in cases where the broken element is not clamped by pins and is in a neutral position.

If the chip is sitting tightly, you can try to get it out of the core with a medical needle with a curved tip. By inserting the needle into the keyhole, you can try to get a short piece. Instead of a medical needle, a piece of thin hard wire is often used. The hook at the end of the wire should be small (no more than 3 mm) so that it can freely pass into the hole. An alternative tool is a jigsaw file. Gently turning the tool inside the lock. They try to hook the chip and pull it out.

The option of using baking soda

A slotted screwdriver and instant glue will help to cope with the task of releasing the debris. Glue of the “super moment” type must be squeezed onto the work surface – plywood or plastic board. Sprinkle a handful of baking soda around. Then quickly dip the end of the screwdriver in glue, in soda and press firmly against the protruding tip of the broken key. The disadvantages of the method are an irretrievably damaged screwdriver and not a 100% guarantee of the result. If the key is severely jammed. The chip will remain in place. With increasing physical effort, the glued screwdriver will detach from the element stuck in the keyhole.

The main rule that is relevant for any method is a preliminary attempt to rotate the chip to a neutral position in which it is not blocked by pins. To do this, you can use a construction knife or locksmith’s tongs with thin tips, for example, those used to install retaining rings.

Drilling the core if the key in the lock is broken

One way to get a broken key out of the lock is to drill a hole with a drill with a thin drill. In this case, after removing the broken segment and opening the door by turning a screwdriver. Repairs will be needed – the core will have to be changed. However, the lock case will remain intact and does not need to be replaced. To drill the core, you will need tools:

• Screwdriver or drill.
• Drill for metal work (diameter about 6 mm).
• Slotted screwdriver.

The core of the lock is formed by the body, core, code pins (pins), cam. The core drilling process unlocks the pins, allowing the cam to be rotated using a standard screwdriver. Features and order of the drilling procedure:

Mark a place at the junction of the body and the rotating cylinder of the core.

Drill to the point where the pins end.

Insert a screwdriver and turn the core. If the core stays still, then not all the pins are drilled. In this case, through the hole made, you can see the protruding remains of the pins that block the rotation of the core. After removing (pushing into the drilled hole) the protruding elements with a screwdriver. You need to try again to turn the core.

Sometimes it is enough to drill a small hole next to the fragment and thread a jigsaw file or wire with a bent end into it to pry and get the broken fragment. A carefully performed operation will allow you to use the lock and core in the future. A small hole will not affect the operation of the locking mechanism.

If the key is broken, you can try to open the door in the specified way. However, the attempt will not be successful if the manufacturer, but in order to protect the locking mechanism from breaking, has installed heavy-duty pins that cannot be drilled with a conventional metal drill.

Effective ways to get a broken key out of the lock

Experienced locksmiths can answer the question of what to do in a situation where the key is stuck in the lock. The method that gives a positive result in 90% of cases is to use a soldering iron. To perform the operation, the entire surface of the castle is preliminarily glued with masking tape except for the keyhole and the protruding fragment. Then the protruding tip is lubricated with soldering flux or rosin, and solder is applied (usually tin).

To complete the process, and you will need a household soldering iron. A power of 60-100 watts. Using a soldering iron, a piece of wire is soldered to the protruding fragment. To remove the stuck segment of the key, you need to pull the wire. If the chip is jammed, gently turn the wire until it reaches the neutral position.

One of the ways to get a chip, because when all other methods have been tried and failed, is to completely drill out the core of the lock (cylinder mechanism). Drilling is possible when the lock is made of ordinary, not hardened metal, which is easily machined with a suitable drill.