globallockytoo, as a general comment you are correct. But when it comes to key extractors I have yet to find one that I can buy that I think is actually good,...as is, without modification.
ElAbogado wrote:Intermountain Lock and Supply in Salt Lake City, Utah has the A-130 for under $5.00 US. Photo below:
Yes, they do have some cheap (costing) key extractors. But Rickthepick is in the UK, and I don't think they ship there. I could be wrong. They are also wholesale only, so unfortunately hobbyists can't buy there.
I'm not sure of a good place to buy them online. But I will at least give you my recommendations for a good key extractor.
First thing to mention is that if you like the spirals (like the one ElAbogado has a picture of). You should consider grinding the threads off of one side, so when you try to pull the key out of the lock you aren't also trying to pull out the cylinder/wafers. I say wafers because most broken keys are in wafer locks and not pin tumbler. Not that it doesn't happen, just not as often.
What I recommend isn't spirals, I'm not a fan of them. I prefer a small hook that goes behind the key and pulls it out from the tip. Most of the ones that are sold and claim to be good,...stink, they are too thin and break far to easily.
Get yourself a couple of HPC EZ-2 key extractors. Without modification they won't be of any use, but they are cheap to buy.
This is how they come, big bulky and crappy. Then you grind it down to the size you want.
This will be stronger than the thin ones sold this way. And thus it will last longer and pull out many more keys before needing to be replaced.
The next problem is pushing the wafers/pins, or whatever else may be in front of the broken key out of the way. To do this I use what I refer to as a "sight tool" They aren't sold anywhere. It has to be strong, straight, come to a point, and be offset so you can see into the lock while holding it.
Now you just need to light up the keyway, so you can see what you are doing.
Since you only have two hands, sometimes I find it helpful to clip the light to the sight tool.
Look for some HPC EZ-2's and have some fun.
Hope this helps
Farmerfreak
