Broken key in padlock!!!

[Harpo_the_bad]

Hi,

I have a padlock, I'm not sure of the brand. It's one of those round ones with a smooth stainless steel case. When locked, the locking bar slides out of one side of the case and in to the other. I can try to get a picture tonight if it's required.

Here's the problem: my mother recently snapped off the key right inside it! The key isn't anywhere near the surface. It's snapped off half way in. To complicate things even more; it isn't even the right key that snapped off in there. Which probably explains why it snapped.

Now; there's a hole in the back of the padlock through which I can see the end of the key. I've tried poking the key out from the back but it's well and truly stuck.

Is there anything else that can be done for this lock or is it time for it to go in the bin?

Thanks!

[paulvalente]

Well you can buy such a thing as broken key extractors from any good locksmith suppliers or even off of Ebay. Give them a go and if it doesnt work then it's time to throw it in the bin.

Hope this helps

Paul

[Harpo_the_bad]

Thanks for the reply Paul,

I'll see if I can get hold of a broken key extractor. To be honest though; I'm thinking that its in there for the duration.

I applied a good amount of force to the key from that hole in the back and it showed no signs of moving. SOMETHING is holding it in there. I can't see what though.

Maybe the key extractor will work. If not, it'll still be a useful addition to my set

Thanks,
Shane

[paulvalente]

No problem Shane,


It could also be that the cuts on the key are angled such that they're effectivley locking up on the pins.

Wht you could do is try to slip a very thin strip of metal down the side of the key (If the warding will allow this) and push the pins up whilst simultaneously pushing the key out from the outher side.

Paul

[Tuniz]

was gonna say exactly what Paulvalente said.

If you try to press it out from the back and you can´t get it out it´s usually the pins that aren´t pressed up by the key that is blocking it.

for instance: you have a 5 pin cylinder and the key snapped inside the lock, holding up pin no 3-4-5. Now, pin no 1-2 arent pushed up so it´s blocking the key from coming back out.

Try using a paperclip or something to push up pin no 1 and 2 and then, while holding up the 1 and 2 pin, press out the key from the hole in the back.

Hope you understand what i mean O_ob

[Harpo_the_bad]

Thanks for the replies guys

This forum is great. You really get helpful answers here from people who know what they're talking about!

I hadn't thought that the pins themselves could be holding the key in but it sounds likely. I'll give it a go tonight and let you know how it goes.

It'd be nice if we could get it out because they're nice sturdy locks and we have not one but TWO spare keys for it if it can be saved.

Thanks!
Shane

[Raymond]

Use something very thin and tough like a sewing needle held in small vise grips. Put a pick or small push probe in the hole at the back and while gently pushing the key out, lift the pins to the top of the keyway in the front of the key. With all of the pins out of the way, there should be nothing to prevent the key from coming out. If it is the wrong blank it may be very tight and require some effort to unstick it.
Good luck.

[Harpo_the_bad]

I did it!

I held a paperclip in the hole in the back of the lock pressing on the end of the key and pressed the keypins up with one of my picks.

It took a while but after a bit of jiggling the broken key came out

Thanks to everyone who helped,
Shane

[lokedin]

Well you can buy such a thing as broken key extractors from any good locksmith suppliers or even off of Ebay. Give them a go and if it doesnt work then it's time to throw it in the bin.

Hope this helps

Paul

i thought ebay had a policy of not allowing items for lock bypass (and im assuming that would include any locksmith tools)....

[paulvalente]

No, you can buy key extractors on ebay. They're not technically entry tools so they're ok I think.

[lokedin]

Ok thanks for that.

what about items that can help in open doors...for example i have just found an airbag which the seller says they use to "open car doors and UPVC doors". does this come under lock bypass?? what other kind of tools could we look for on ebay?

[bumber]

LINK to "locksmith tools" on Ebay

[raimundo]

I too was going to mention what paulvalente did. he got there first.
Some keyways are actually straight in that part of the key that has the cuts
You can easily make a short tool to slide in beside the key in the tolerance of the keyway and if it has a 45 degree slanted and sanded tip it will go alongside the broken key and lift the pins, unlocking the key fragment from the pins,

but you did that with a pick? pix are usually too thick for getting in beside the keyfrag. perhaps you worked over the top of that, its also possible to work over the top if the keyfrag permits, best tool would be a piece of piano wire with a somewhat hooked tip,

this will go over the top of parts of the key, holding the pins above it, and the hook reversed from usual usage, will help you reach behind the high spots and lift pins deeper in the lock

[DaveAG]

I think the reason he managed it with pick is because only half the key was in the lock, blocked from being pushed back out by the pins closest to the front, which were as accessible with a pick as they are normally.


The way I had this visualised was on say a basic 5 pin lock.

Pin 1 (closest to the front), fully down
Pin 2 fully down
Pin 3 up, supported by half a key
Pin 4 up, supported by half a key
Pin 5 up, supported by half a key

In order for the half-key to be removed it will need to pass underneath pins 1 and 2, but the near vertical fracture is too steep to lift pins 1 and 2 by itself so the key is blocked in.

He was able to push from the back, and lift pins 1 and 2 clear from the front, thus releasing the key.