Yale 77

[baffledchump]

I'm locked out of my room in my house (it has its own lock, the house used to be split into flats)

I just spent 5 hours in and out of a hardware shop buying various uncut keys and cutting them at home, and have finally produced a spec-perfect Yale Y1 bump key.

However, after a few unsuccessful attempts, I have realised the lock on my door is a Yale 77, which are apparently so old and shitty, they are actually impossible to bump.

Is this true? If not any tips? I really need to get into my room, I've been living off housemate's clothes for the last few days and people are getting a little frustrated.

A locksmith costs 140 quid - I'm a student, so that's totally unfeasible, by the way.

Cheers!

[EmCee]

Umm..I don't think you'll get much help with this on here. For a start the site goes by the rules of 'not picking a lock that is in use' and 'not picking a lock that you do not own'.

Your post is a tad confusing because you talk about 'my house' but then go on to mention a housemate and the fact that you are a student. That suggests it's not so much your house as student rental accommodation, no? The reason for the 'rules' above are that even if you know what you are doing, it is possible to damage a lock when picking it open, which would mean not only a call to a locksmith but also the cost of a replacement lock.

I suggest first step is to ask the landlord for a replacement key (assuming the reason you're locked out is that you've lost the key).

Cheers...

[baffledchump]

The lock is not in use, I don't own a key to it, nor does the landlord, which is why he suggested I tried to pick it myself before getting a rediculously overpriced locksmith in.

But nevermind, I kicked the door in; I can fix the frame for much less than a locksmith would have cost.

Seriously, any locksmiths out there - £140 to just open a door?

[EmCee]

Well if the lock is on the door to your room and its locked state means you can't get into your room, I think it'd count as a lock that's in use.

Actually, I'm more worried about the fact that the landlord rented you a room with a lock on the door to which he or she does not have a key. Locks without keys could be a disaster if there was a fire, for example. If your landlord has bought a place that was previously converted into flats, then either remove all the locks or find keys for them or have them made.

I don't understand why you didn't go to the landlord, explain that you were locked out of the room you are paying him/her to rent because he/she has no key, and then tell the landlord to sort it or you'll withhold rent.

As to the locksmith charge, different locksmiths charge different amounts depending on their overheads etc, but I have to admit that £140 for a lockout, on the face of it, is a ripoff (and then some).

Glad you got into the room.

Cheers...

[Rickthepick]

£140 lol for a door that can probably be bypassed in 5 seconds... did you call Able by any chance

[mhole]

Yup, that's an outrageous price. Call a few different places next time, I would have charged less than half that!

[unlisted]

Well I am glad this got solved before I could respond.

My comment was going to be: destroy the actual lockset. Even cheaper than a door frame.

But I do agree, this does smell funny.. Your landlord allowed you to "smash" the door frame? Landlord would not solve your "locked door" issue?

[SnowyBoy]

Hmmmm...... fishy.


I certainly wouldn't agree that a 7x7 is a 'crappy' lock. 7 pins, 1 lower tapered hardened steel, 5 upper mushrooms & 2 straights. Uh huh, well 'crappy'!

[SnowyBoy]

Just realised you're on about a 77 not a 7x7

But yeah........ a VERY crappy lock. Meaning you suck if you had to get the doorframe off