Snappy

[kowalski]

This key broke in a friend's postbox. How would we go about extracting it? I have a set of slimline picks, some tweezers and access to a hardware store but no key removal tools.

I've not seen it in real life yet. I've only been sent this photo...




Peace,

kowalski

[femurat]

Use the part of the key still attached to the bow to open the lock. Then you can temporarily remove the lock and find a way to remove the broken key in the comfort of your workshop.

There are many threads around here about removing a broken key, have you tried "broken key site:lockpicking101.com" on google?

Cheers

[Squelchtone]

This key broke in a friend's postbox. How would we go about extracting it? I have a set of slimline picks, some tweezers and access to a hardware store but no key removal tools.

I've not seen it in real life yet. I've only been sent this photo...




Peace,

kowalski

One of your picks, may in fact be a broken key extractor, it will look like a half diamond / harpoon. Insert it.above the key and lift the pin up so it goes in deeper, but with the hald diamond facing down towards the key, once hooked pull pick towards you which should pull out the key.

Or it may be easier to turn the plug if the key and pins are currently lined up, and the remove the lock once the door is open like femurat sugggests.

[ltdbjd]

I've had success removing even the most stubborn broken key with a drill bit. Just saying ....

[GWiens2001]

As Femurat suggested, use the unbroken part of the key to lift the pin and open the lock. Open the door. If you can see the back of the keyway from inside the door, then it is easy:

Keeping the broken part of the key in the front of the lock to keep the pin lifted, use any pick to push out the key from the back side of the lock.

Gordon

[Robotnik]

You can also use a straightened fish hook (barbed) in a pinch.

[billdeserthills]

Actually the lock cylinder looks partially turned, to my eye
I would turn the cylinder until it opens, once the door is open
you can remove the tailpiece on the end and push the broken piece
out--if you don't have anther key, take the broken pieces to a locksmith
and have a duplicate made. Be sure you put the tailpiece back on before
you place the key into the cylinder again

[QcLocksmith]

Lube the lock well before working on it, it will make the key easier to extract. If you try to turn the lock with the remaining key part, push on the door to have less tension on the cam piece on the inside. If you don't have key removing tool, a fish hook modified is a good option.

[kowalski]

Thanks to all.

Yes, I should have done a search first. Excuse my bad form.

I didn't spot that the key was part turned. It's interesting learning what to take note of. Gonna go have a look at it this weekend pre-armed with oil and fish hooks. Will report back on how it went.


Peace,

kowalski