Need help with a stuck Lowe&Fletcher safe lock

[ja_simon_3]

Hi,
I hope I'm posting this in a right section of the forum. This is a question about a stuck Lowe&Fletcher lock. I'm not sure what the model is, I suppose it's 7-8 lever lock.

The safe is in use and there were no issues with the lock so far. Recently, when I wanted to open it, the key went in and moved to unlock position, however as I moved the key I felt something went wrong. What is going on is the key moves in he lock but doesn't open it, and it now cannot be removed.

When moving the key to closed position, it doesn't go to fully horizontal position, it stops at a slight angle, at the same time, when moving it to the open position, I think it goes slightly behind the standard position where it would normally stop.

When the key is moved, I hear the key engage the mechanism/lever(s). I might be wrong but I feel the key didn't go in fully (even though it looks like it went all in) but somehow still managed to move some/most of the levers inside.

Here are the picutres of the key limit positions and a picture I took with an inspection camera. I think it's the top plate that got stuck and is blocking the key from moving to a fully horizontal position. My feeling that the key didn't go fully in comes from the fact that the key when turned right moves slightly too far which would mean it's not blocked by the notch at the bottom of the lock.

I tried moving the blocking lever with a little bit of force but it feels stuck. In terms of the mechanism that is being engaged, it moves smoothly.

If anyone could give me advice on how to approach this I would really appreciate. I understand it will likely end up with calling up a locksmith, but maybe someone had a similar experience and there's a solution I haven't thought of.

https://ibb.co/j8TW3QM
https://ibb.co/gJxv0Jt
https://ibb.co/Jybc4zy

[Safecrackin Sammy]

You need a locksmith to repair and evaluate.

[MartinHewitt]

Yes, it is time to get a locksmith or better safe tech. My guess is something broke of from the key and got stuck. A safe tech has the proper equipment to get out broken pieces and help the lock to open.

I assume you are in the UK. There are a few safe techs who are present in social media, but I can't say what the way is to find one in UK.

[ja_simon_3]

Thanks for your replies guys, but I thought this was a lockpicking forum, that's why I posted here for some tips before calling in a safe technitian so I must admint I was expecting a more technical suggestions. Safe tech service is really expensive where I live, so that was the option of last resort for me.

Luckily I was able to get in after 4 days of testing. I had a similar lock lying around and that helped greatly to figure out what might have happened and where to get in with some tools.

Maybe this will help someone else somwhere down the road. In my case it was the key that broke, or to be more precise, the bottom part of it. It must have broken by the end of the movement after the dead bolt had already been partially retracted (over 1/2 in). That's why I had the feeling all of the levers being engaged when rotating the key and also why the top lever got stuck mid way. I had to cut the handle part of the key in order to remove the steel plate covering the key hole to give myself a little bit more access, and then attacked the right hand side of the key (deadbolt pointing to the left of the safe) pushing the deadbolt plate to the right in order to complete retraction of the deadbolt. Little force was required. I did not succeed earlier due to limited space because of the steel keyhole plate. Apologies if the terminology is not very technical, maybe someone else can fill in the gaps in future.

From what I found out in the meantime Lowe&Fletcher safe locks tend to have this problem with keys gradually cracking and eventually braking.

[MartinHewitt]

That problem have all keys made from die-cast zinc, which is sadly very common with this type of lock.