Broken Key extractors

[drummond52]

I have a set of broken key extractors, but today I ran into a key that was broken off at the high piont and the extrator would not pass by into the lock, is there a different one for this purpose. thanks for any help I get............drummond

[digital_blue]

A barbed fish hook, straightened out, can do just the trick when you're in a tight spot.

Another little trick. If you cut a very small "V" into the end of a thin metal shim (you could make this from automotive feeler gauge) you can sometimes slide down the side of the key and catch the end. I've only had to do this once, but the idea is to cut the V so it points back toward the "handle" end of your shim stock. Bend it out very gently. When pushing in, it will lay flat. When pulling out it will pop back out and (hopefully) hook the back end of the key.

I had to experiment with this a bit, as my first try was too thin and just crumpled because it was not strong enough to overcome the pressure of the springs/pins on the bit of key. With a thicker shim it worked. But it will really depend on the tolerance of the key in the keyway. If it's tight, you won't get anywhere with this.

Hope that helps,

db

[drummond52]

Thank for the reply digital_blue, One guy at work ( I work on a miliitay base ) said a locksmith who came one time had what looked like a small drill stile extractor?
I will give your suggestions a go the next time it happens........drummond

[jimmysmith]

I had that same problem once, Broke off key in the lock but i could not fit my extractor in next to the key. or anywhere, its was all to tight of a fit. I was pretty dissappointed, had to change out the lock...take it apart and work on it.
I dont understand it. I have never had to use the broken key extractor. But when i did...its dont really work. Mine came with my pick set form southord. But it to wide to get in next to the key,
an i doiing this wrong? or?

[freakparade3]

Thank for the reply digital_blue, One guy at work ( I work on a miliitay base ) said a locksmith who came one time had what looked like a small drill stile extractor?
I will give your suggestions a go the next time it happens........drummond

I have one of these. It's about the diameter of a small needle, you screw it into the lock under the key and it grips the key when you pull. Works great.

[jimmysmith]

thats awesome where do you get one of those. ....most the time that a key is stuck......its because some one cut a crapy key...cuts angles to steep......so the pins are whats holding the key in.....not just because of a brake off.....
If a key is stuck in the lock because a crappy cuts, and the pins are holding it in the lock....and the key extractor is to wide to fit in the lock with the key,,,,,,,whats a guy to to?

[jimb]

I have a pair of tweezers that I took my dremel to and thinned them out enough that I can grab the top and bottom sides of the key and pull it out unless it's really jammed in there.

I just bought the thinnest pair of needle nose pliers that I have ever seen the other day to use in the same way. I may take the dremel to them and thin them more if needed.

[maxxed]

Thank for the reply digital_blue, One guy at work ( I work on a miliitay base ) said a locksmith who came one time had what looked like a small drill stile extractor?
I will give your suggestions a go the next time it happens........drummond

I have one of these. It's about the diameter of a small needle, you screw it into the lock under the key and it grips the key when you pull. Works great.

These are spiral extractors and are sold by HPC distributers the blades themselves are short pieces of a saw blade, I think it is called a jewelers saw . You will require a good pin vice to have any success with these. There have been several other threads on extractors you should check them all out. The best advice I can give you about dealing with a broken key is see what everyone else has made and make at least one of each in a variety of sizes. Most of the time a simple barbed hook will work well but when a challenging one comes you need a variety of tools.
Last week I had one that was extremely tight and the staff had worked on it for several hours before calling and really made a mess of things. I used a 1/16 drill bit in a pin vice and slowly drilled an access point into the key and used a wire hook to pull the key out

[Schuyler]

A barbed fish hook, straightened out, can do just the trick when you're in a tight spot.

Another little trick. If you cut a very small "V" into the end of a thin metal shim (you could make this from automotive feeler gauge) you can sometimes slide down the side of the key and catch the end. I've only had to do this once, but the idea is to cut the V so it points back toward the "handle" end of your shim stock. Bend it out very gently. When pushing in, it will lay flat. When pulling out it will pop back out and (hopefully) hook the back end of the key.

I had to experiment with this a bit, as my first try was too thin and just crumpled because it was not strong enough to overcome the pressure of the springs/pins on the bit of key. With a thicker shim it worked. But it will really depend on the tolerance of the key in the keyway. If it's tight, you won't get anywhere with this.

Hope that helps,

db

Great tips, thanks DB. I've had this problem as well, but never bothered to post about it.

[linty]

Thank for the reply digital_blue, One guy at work ( I work on a miliitay base ) said a locksmith who came one time had what looked like a small drill stile extractor?
I will give your suggestions a go the next time it happens........drummond

spiral key extractors are more popular for automotive use, that's why you don't see around as much.

[ponsaloti]

I have a peterson kit, bought it about a year ago at the mla show at telford, its the nuts. the handed grippers (look like scissors) have saved me alot of hours. A must for anyone that plays with cars.

[drummond52]

Thanks for all the interesting replies. freakparade3 where did you get it from............drummond