Lost key for 3 Lever sash lock question.

[jimmy161]

Hi. I have lost the key for a locked 3-lever sash lock made by ERA. I'm not interested in picking it or smashing the door down, I was just wondering if all cheap ERA type door locks use the same key. Can I just re-buy the lock to get a new set of keys?

I also have a picture of the key-type incase I ever lost it. Pretty simple huh.



So can I just buy another lock of the same type to get a new set of keys? It was only a cheap thing like £15

[jimmy161]

Image didnt work on my last post. Image link for the key type below:

http://img251.imageshack.us/i/unledwb.png/

[Doctor Hexagon]

It may actually cost you even less to have a locksmith make you some new keys.
It's worth a try to ring one near you and find out before you spend 15 quid on a
lock you don't need, especially considering that it's not likely they have a universal
key.

[mhole]

I an a word, no.

There are approx 100 different profiles for that type of key, including different keyhole shapes and different arrangements of levers. The odds of any lock you buy being the same are not good.

If it were a union, or an old era you may be able to get a key just by showing that picture, as these keys are usually kept in stock precut. However, that looks like the newish era profile which has yet to filter down into common usage, and as such isn't held by most lockies.

[jimmy161]

Could I buy a blank and cut it myself with a dremel?

[Rickthepick]

Seriously.... who carries a photo of their own key.

[jimmy161]

Seriously.... who carries a photo of their own key.

I always thought you could get a new one cut with a picture in case you ever lost it but I guess not! Am I the only one who takes pictures of all their keys?

[MBI]

Umm... in anyone else's Spidey Sense tingling besides mine?

[jimmy161]

Umm... in anyone else's Spidey Sense tingling besides mine?

Really? This is a student house that we got given a slew of keys for which I took pictures of so we had a record of what we got from the landlord when we first moved in.

I guess I could tell the landlord what's happened and see if he will split the cost of getting it unlocked and replaced or I might just have to pay for the whole thing .

Although I just read some horror stories on the internet of landlords charging hundreds of pounds for lost keys!!

[Doctor Hexagon]

I really recommend you just ring a local locksmith and explain to them what's going on.
They will be happy to answer as much info as they are able to in order to help you,
and are not going to charge that much dosh to get you a new key.

Seriously, call a locksmith.