extracting broken keys

[reg]

As I was at the lockpick event of the SSDeV the last weekend, a question turned up - and we tried to solve it by experiment:

what is the best way to extract a broken key from a pin-tumbler?

We had several tools:

a 4 piece extractor set like this one:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/page/LPS/PROD/SPT/Mex-4

one HPC - Interchangeable Extractor Set in hollow handle

and one homemade from a broken pick

the 4 piece extractor set was to weak and bent

the HPC interchangeable has a sawtooth blade, which was too thick for getting at the key, best was the smaller spiral extractor, but it was quite a challenge as it worked painfully slow

the homemade worked best until it broke off in the second attempt

While testing we had a lot of comments like:

"forget it, just hit the cylinder hard enough so the key flies out" (which is well enough when you have the cylinder in your hands, but not when it is mounted)

"take fret saw blade - this is the only thing that works"

So my question is:

What have you used successfully for extracting a key?

Cheers,

reg

[Romstar]

I have, and use the HPC four piece set. It's never not worked for me. I don't think I have ever bent it to the point that I was worried about it either.

Also, I have used the terrible key extractor that comes with most pick sets. It takes some practice, but you get the hang of it.

As you discovered the spiral extractor can be slow, but the really thin saw blade looking ones seem to do fairly well.

Frequently, you get in under the key, give the extractor a twist, and pull out. If the key is broken in such a way that you can lift the pins, and grab the biting, that works well also. I have an extractor made by Ilco which is very good. It's teeth are sideways. You jam it into the lock beside the key, twist slightly, and pull. It's tight but it works.

Take a good hard look at each extractor, and then at the way the key is broken, and how much room you haver all around the key. Often, the solution presents itself.

Romstar

[hzatorsk]

Alternative suggestion:

I've been somewhat successful with a #60 drill bit in some keyways when the key is close to the face of the lock.

If you drill through a die (from a board game), you can use the die as a guide to hold the drill bit steady at the face of the lock so as to drill into the key. Drilling into the die (and the key) at an angle helps alot and if you use a red die, you can see better where you are drilling,

A dental pick can grab into the drilled hole and pull the key out.

[Bonuts]

If you drill through a die (from a board game), you can use the die as a guide to hold the drill bit steady

effin brilliant.

[Varjeal]

I, too, use the 4 piece from HPC predominantly..but there are available spiral extractors in a large variety of sizes, and although slow, they often do a better job with less marking of the face of the cylinder than other varieties.

[Chucklz]

Ive only ever had to extract one broken key. I had to raise the first pin with my hook pick. I then used a straightened fishhook to extract the key. The hook was the finest one I could find. (A No22 dry fly hook ). I was able to work the hook along one side of the key, then rotate the barb into the key, and pull it out past the first pin with pliers.

I also like the idea of the Peterson Sidewinder extractor shim. Anyone have any experience with these?