Mortise Lock Seized

[snowrider72]

I was called to work on a door that someone flipped the strike plate and now the door is wedged closed, additionally the same person used duct tape to keep the door un secured (which now gunked up in the mechanism) because they were too lazy to get the keys. So now I am left with a door I can't not access to make the repairs. I;ve tried everything to enter the door without "damaging" the door. The key will not unlatch to release the bolt. The door is equpiied with a corbin russwin, mortise lock with a best core. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cledry]

If you are just having a binding issue then turning the key while forcing the door to relieve pressure will usually work. With a BEST I would remove the core and use a BEST turning wrench to turn the two pins, you can apply a fair amount of torque.

Which way does the door swing? I'm not sure what you mean by flipped the strike and now the door is wedged, but if the door swings out I would apply my air wedge and see if I can force the latch back. Occasionally you can gain more space by removing hinge pins.

A few photos would help.

[2octops]

I would contact a locksmith.

They have all those fancy tools ya know.

[snowrider72]

Door swings inwards, hinges are on the interior, i'll give the turning a wrench a try and hopefully that will work. The "strike plate" i meant to say "catch" was flipped, so they wouldn't have to constanly use the key (which is still beyond me at this point). I believe that they didnt screw the bolts in far enough and it is now catching and wedging itself against the latch. I've used a K-22 and was able to minipulate the handle from the inside, the handle moved but would not release the latch. I may have to wait to get my new air wedge, some "borrowed it" and put a whole in it.

[Gary Smith]

Have you tryed to shim the latch mechanism with plastic sheet.

[cledry]

Have you tryed to shim the latch mechanism with plastic sheet.

A good inexpensive source of these ships are flexible cutting boards. I buy them in a six pack and cut them into strips with a paper cutter.

[snowrider72]

Thank you for the advise, I was able to use a pry bar and gently apply force to the door while "jiggling" the key. What had happened was when they flipped the catch they slightly bent the metal framed door, and it was catching on the door frame not allowing the door to be opened.