Broken lock

[Klists]

I am trying to open a lock from the outside with my key. It is a lock built in to the knob that is locked from the inside by pushing in the knob and rotating the knob clockwise about 90 degrees. I insert the key and can turn the lock clockwise about 90 degrees. However the lock doesn't unlock. The movement is unusually free with little resistance until 90 degrees at which point it will go no further. Normally this would be enough to unlock it.

Is there any way to unlock it or get in? I'm quite happy to destroy the lock in the process if that's necessary.

Thanks.

Ken

[kwoswalt99-]

Is it dexter brand?

[Klists]

I can't see any brand markings at all. It is brass coloured.

[Squelchtone]

I can't see any brand markings at all. It is brass coloured.

Please post a photo to imgur.com or tinypic.com or if you can upload a short video to youtube so we can see the key and lock in action and better tell you what to do next. when is the last time it worked ok?

a photo of the key and keyhole and the knob will tell us what brand of lock you have.

have you tried turning in both left and right directions with the key inserted? sometimes that button on the inside needs that in order to pop out and allow you to turn the knob more to retract the latch and open the door.

if the key allows you to turn it 90 degrees, does this then allow you to turn the knob with your hand? could the door be swollen and rubbing on the frame so you just need to give it a little more of a push to open it?

Squelchtone

[Klists]

A picture of the lock and key is here: http://imgur.com/phIgwCc

The lock had not been turning freely for a while so I had inserted some graphite recently, but only opened it once or twice before now. The key will only turn right, and the knob will not turn in either direction, except for a bit of slack. I've tried all manner of turning key and knob but haven't managed to "shake it loose".

[kwoswalt99-]

That's a weiser lock you have there. I've seen dexter locks that are similar before, where the whole doorknob pushes in and turns to lock the door. The ones I used were very finicky.

[kwoswalt99-]

This varjeal post may help.

I have quite literally picked hundreds of the type of lock you mentioned, and yes they are quite a pain at times. The problem is that once picked, it takes the adding of a screwdriver to the mix in order to turn the plug. Sometimes trying to do so smoothly doesn't work. In this case, you must apply tension with the screwdriver in the plug, and twist the knob back and forth to get the inside knob to pop into the unlocked position.

Sometimes the inside knob is so worn or damaged it will not do this. Then it takes a different type of bypass technique to make it work. Technically it's not the picking that's difficult, it's the OPENING.

I do understand your frustration though...and it's all due to Weiser making cheap crap.

And the topic. I believe this is about the lock you have. http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7714

[Squelchtone]

yeah, I dont have any ideas, other than insert key, turn it, and then grab the knob hard and try to flex or turn it left and right really fast until it gives. likewise insert the key and turn it left and right fast and back and fourth, but not so hard as to snap the key off in the keyway, and then try to see if the knob can turn and open the door.

do you have a back door you can get in through instead? or an unlocked window? next stop will be calling a locksmith or kicking your own door in.

good luck,
Squelchtone

ps. good find by kwoswalt99 with the old thread by Varjeal

[billdeserthills]

I like to turn the key with one hand and turn the knob back and forth with the other hand until it pops open
If that fails I shoot a bunch of spray lube down the keyhole & do the first thing again. Once the door opens you just need to lubricate
the inside knob, those old weiser locks last forever if the torsion spring isn't broken

[Klists]

Thanks everyone. I managed to get in after playing with the key for a long time, then the lock/tumbler fell out and was able to play around with some pliers inside until it eventually unlocked.

[Squelchtone]

Thanks everyone. I managed to get in after playing with the key for a long time, then the lock/tumbler fell out and was able to play around with some pliers inside until it eventually unlocked.

thanks for the follow up and for your perseverance!

[emendia]

Thanks everyone. I managed to get in after playing with the key for a long time, then the lock/tumbler fell out and was able to play around with some pliers inside until it eventually unlocked.

Holy cannoli! I successfully picked my office doorknob and the entire tumbler fell out! It's a weisner just like the one above. Trouble is, now I can't get the tumbler to fit back in? I don't see any good instructions on the 'net. Any ideas?

[Robotnik]

First off, don't pick locks in use, for exactly the reason you discovered.

As to the situation you're in, I'm presuming you have a key, as it's an office door you own. Older Weiser knob cylinders normally have a 90 degree clockwise range of motion. When removing cylinders, the tailpiece is pulled while turning the key past 90; once you hit about the 4:00 position, the cylinder pulls out.

To re-install, the tailpiece is again pulled, and the cylinder is inserted (with plug turned somewhere within its normal 90 degree range of travel. Release tailpiece, and you're good.

If this is still confusing, check YouTube for "Weiser knob removal"; I recall there being some decent videos illustrating this. And again, don't pick locks you rely on for security. Have fun!

[tjohn]

One other note, you will see two prongs inside the knob, the top of the key part (the bible) goes in between those two prongs, while as mentioned the spring loaded bar on the other end of the lock is pulled and the key is turned to either about 9 o'clock or 4 o clock. When the cylinder snaps in turn the key back to the 12 o'clock position & release the spindle.

If the bible (top of key part) isn't between those guides, it won't work.