How to open Yale lock?

[dstehle]

The screws appear to be hardened. Freshly purchased bits got nowhere.

The screws are also flat head and are recessed.

Is there some way to use the Prime-Line screw extractor that I'm unaware of?

I pulled the hinge pins but could not get the hinges to budge.

I'm reluctant to use the dremel idea as I want to keep using the lock afterwards.

My local locksmith wants $185.

Again, thanks for everyone's interest.


David

[Squelchtone]

The screws appear to be hardened. Freshly purchased bits got nowhere.

The screws are also flat head and are recessed.

Is there some way to use the Prime-Line screw extractor that I'm unaware of?

I pulled the hinge pins but could not get the hinges to budge.

I'm reluctant to use the dremel idea as I want to keep using the lock afterwards.

My local locksmith wants $185.

Again, thanks for everyone's interest.


David

What did that price consist of, drive out fee and some other fee? how much would your local locksmith want to just pick the lock? that should not be $185.. it should be $75-$100 MAX. are you just calling some shmoe at AAAAAAAAA Locksmith out of the phone book or a real shop or a real mobile outfit that you can meet in person and they look legit and not a scammer? the locksmith industry has been plagued by fly by night hack handymen who claim to be locksmiths because they own a cordless drill. So we always tell folks to go to a local locksmith shop or a local mobile lockout business that isn't just a shady guy with a trunk full of Harbor Freight tools in his old Buick.

If you're not in a huge hurry to get this open, and you want to learn lock picking, we can try to teach you via internet, but you'll need to spend some cash on a pick set or make a bike spoke snapper gun and practice a lot until that lock turns over.

let us know, and thanks for todays follow up,
Squelchtone

[dstehle]

Actual price from the local locksmith is $90 to $165. They are a good outfit and I'm sure they are worth the money. $14.95 to re-key the lock....more to my liking. And I like to do my own work.

Is the Sparrows Kick Start the set to get?

[Squelchtone]

Actual price from the local locksmith is $90 to $165. They are a good outfit and I'm sure they are worth the money. $14.95 to re-key the lock....more to my liking. And I like to do my own work.

Is the Sparrows Kick Start the set to get?

Yes, that set has good profiles and is well priced. It may ship from Canada, so look out for the shipping cost for UPS or Canada Post.

Squelchtone

[LockDocWa]

If the screws are hardened,
they will be only case hardened
Which means you can use a Dremel to remove the outer layer.
Once the outer case hardening is removed, your drill bit will start to bite.

However, the one way screw remover would still be my first best solution.

[Raymond]

True. And if he has a dremel he can cut the screw ramps straight, make a slot, and remove the screw with a regular flat screw driver.

My preferred method would still be to use an "undoit" if I had one or if not to hammer the screws around with a punch or small chisel until I could grab them with vise grips. He can also try putting a large C-clamp around the door and lock to squeeze the lock to see if any looseness comes to the screws. This might allow the visegrips a bite.

Drilling is still a more complicated and potentially dangerous method when other choices are available.

Start with a punch and hammer and walk the screws out. If this works properly, and I know it can, he will still have all the original screws to put the lock back on with.

[globallockytoo]

I have used the center punch method i previously described, hundreds of times. It is the simplest and easiest way without spending money on tools you may not use again.

You only need to turn each screw about turns then get pliers or vise grips on them.

As to prices.....It would not surprise me to see true locksmith prices rise in the near future....because if you only want to pay peanuts...expect to get monkeys!

[dstehle]

The center punch method did not work for me. So I purchased a set of Sparrow beginner picks - The Kick Start set. I've been watching Bosnian Bill and some other videos. Any pointers?

Thanks,


David

[dstehle]

Well, using a standard diamond rake and a short end tension I got the cylinder to spin! But the deadbolt didn't move. I was able to do this four times in a row. Why won't this bolt move?

[Raymond]

Spray a liquid lubrication into the lock case from the top-side where the lock meshes with the strike plate.

Turning clockwise locks it.

Your lock should 'unlock' when turned in the counter clockwise direction. If that is the direction you are turning it, does it stop at a certain point or go all the way around? If it goes all the way around I suspect the tail piece or a linkage is broken. Try again to back out the screws.

If it stops, the bolt might be binding and require assistance with a screwdriver to turn the lock. Wiggle and raise and lower the door to make sure the bolt is moving in the strike plate. Apply a moderate turning force to the lock plug and pound the door with the heel of your fist or a rubber mallet to create a loosening vibration. (Bump it with anything cushioned so you dont dent or mark the door.)