Have you ever been in a hurry and put the key in the lock, but it broke right in the barrel? If so, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. This happens to people all the time, and luckily there is a way to get a broken key out of a lock without having to call a locksmith.
If you decide to do it yourself, remember to be careful not to damage the lock in the process. With a little patience and finesse, you’ll get that pesky key out in no time.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to do just that. Read on and learn how to fix your own locks.
1.- How to prevent a key from breaking inside the lock?
Keys are a fundamental part of our lives. They open doors and allow us to access everything we need for everyday activities, but they also take on a certain responsibility because without them there would be no way to get into your home or office, which can quickly get you nowhere.
So before you mess something up, make sure all hardware, such as locks, are always working smoothly and with little wear and tear, and if caught in time, should be fixed before major damage occurs due to lack of maintenance.
It also helps to maintain the key by regularly greasing the parts that need attention, which includes both locks and metal components, such as lock plates and even springs.
Unfortunately, as our keys wear out or break from use, they will need to be replaced. It is important that you make a copy of the key when this happens.
2.- Methods to remove a broken key from the lock
Using a fine-tipped scissors:
To open the door, all you need is a pair of scissors and some lubricant. Place the tip on one side near where it bends toward another piece on the inside (the space between them), then push hard while oriented correctly; this should pop out any stuck keys!
With oil and a paperclip:
First, we apply a light coat of oil without overdoing it. Then you have to try to pull the broken key out with its clip and this usually works better than using scissors because the thinner metal is more flexible, but it also has a major drawback and that is that when you pull it with your fingers or tuck it between two pieces it can easily bend out of shape.
Using a drill:
All you need is a drill, any size drill bit from 1 inch to 2 inches, but the smaller one will be better for this task at hand because we are going into hard materials.
With this method there is a lot of risk of damaging anything else around the cylinder. These types of actions are the ones used by professional locksmiths on occasion when all else fails.
With a magnet:
In this method, all you need is a magnet with a suitable power level. Simply place the metal object in front of it and watch the keys come out on their own.
If you have some lubricant on hand, it may be worth applying it to make removal easier later.
Removing the cylinder:
In general, if the key is broken and the door is unlocked, you should be able to disassemble your cylinder. However, this can be tricky, as every lock has a different design, so I recommend you videotape yourself for reference.
It will do you good to watch a YouTube video or photos of what goes where when you reassemble it later, because sometimes parts get lost during repairs, especially if they are small.
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Depending on the type of lock and key, as well as how the key broke off in the lock, some methods may work better than others.
That said, here are some general tips for removing a broken key from a lock. If you have trouble following these instructions or still can’t get the key out, it may be time to call a professional locksmith.
However, with these tips and a little patience you’ll be able to get that pesky broken key out without too much trouble. Good luck, how did it go? Did you manage to get the broken key out yourself?
