Mottura Lock How to punch key out in inside from the outside

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Hey, hello to everybody, hoping to get some advice for an ongoing issue.

Moved to Italy around 8 months ago where all the locks it seems prevent access from the outside if a key is left in the inside of the lock. This isn't really an issue for people in Italy who are used to this system but for someone from the UK who is accustomed to locks which will accept a key and give access in this situation, it's becoming very frustrating.

Long story short, partner keeps leaving her key in the inside of the lock, we leave, can't get back in, have to call locksmith; it's happened four times. Locksmith comes, punches interior key out in three seconds, gets paid (hey, it's honest work, I've no problem with that), we get back in, inevitably it happens again. I've tried everything including attaching bright ribbons to her key so she'll see it in the lock and take it out with her but it keeps happening. Once we've had to stay in a hotel as coming home from a friends party it was too late for a locksmith.

The bigger problem is I work from home and have spent the greater part of three days without access to vital equipment for accounts and business has suffered as a result. Doesn't go down well if I can't be contacted and client accounts suffer and it's taking the locksmith an average of four hours to get out.

Basically, is it possible for me to get a tool I can use like the locksmith to punch the key out of the lock when inevitably my partner leaves it in there again? This would save so much time and aggro (and probably our relationship!) and I wouldn't have to be on egg-shells wondering when it will happen next.

I'd really appreciate your advice. Cheers.

[femurat]

May I see a picture of the lock from inside the house? There are many mottura locks...

Thanks

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Here are the photos femurat!

There's no serial number, so I don't know the model of the lock, hopefully you do.

There's 5 pins; bottom-most pin is self locking, top 4 require two turns for the rod mechanism to raiselower fully and close. I don't know the tech terms as you can see!

Thanks for considering my problem!

***** Yikes, how do I post an image here, can't just do it inline? *******

[femurat]

Here you can find a detailed answer to your image question
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60483

See you later

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Thanks femurat! I'll get those posted for you tonight!

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Hmmmm, I'll keep trying....

[Squelchtone]

The [IMG] tags work with a single image in the format of http://placeyouuploadedtheimage.com/whateverfolder/filename.jpg there cannot be file1.jpg,file2.jpg,file3.jpg in the same line or http://photobucket.com/picture/owner/filename.jpg.html that html at the end breaks it from working.


I see you have found the [URL] tag

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Resized them. I'll get the hang of it(!).

[Squelchtone]

I really like multi point locks, I wish this was a popular thing to do on residential doors in the USA.

Thanks for resizing, we need more people like you around here, too many folks post 10 Megapixel 5000x8000 jpgs and I dont know too many people running their monitors at that resolution =)

If anyone can help you with your question it will be femurat.

have a good day,
Squelchtone

[femurat]

Well done with the images Sheleftherkeyin. Now I'll delete the old useless posts... and then I'll see if I recognize the lock model.

[Sheleftherkeyin]

Thanks guys!

[femurat]

Looks like you have a Serie 38 lock, that accepts a euro profile cylinder.

I assume the problem you had being locked out was: the door shut behind you, nobody locked it and just the small spring loaded latch prevented you from opening the door. If this is the case, you have two options: use something like a credit card to shim the latch or use a special tool used by locksmiths to turn thumb-turn cylinders. Both these options are not easy for a non professional but can be done.

What I suggest you to do is: get an extra copy of your key and, WITH THE DOOR OPEN, let your gf key inside and try to open the lock from the outside with the extra key. Extract your key and file away just a hair from the tip. Try again until it turns. This extra key may be able to open the door but it's better to use it just for emergencies since it may ruin the lock.
Another option may be to remove the spring loaded latch. This way you must lock the door if you want it to stay shut.

Another option is to change the cylinder with one that has the emergency option, it means it can be opened with keys inserted from both sides simultaneously (exactly your case). The better option would be not to leave the key in the door when you exit

Let us know what you decide to do.

Cheers

edit: a locksmith should be able to convert your cylinder giving it the emergency option by changing the cam, without having to replace the whole cylinder. I'm not sure if this is possible, it depends on the lock (and on the locksmith obviously).

[Sheleftherkeyin]

That's fantastic fermurat! Ok, let me digest this and I'll post tomorrow morning what I think I'm going to do.

I know what you mean about it being best not to leave the key in the lock in the first place though!

Grazie Mille!

[femurat]

Prego Another option is to ask a locksmith to convert the inner part of the cylinder into a thumb-turn. This way you have no way to leave the key inside the door!

Cheers

[billdeserthills]

That door looks to be about a 1/2 inch thick! I can't believe that passes for an entrance door