Locked out of me own shed!

[goode262]

Hi All,

I lost the key (yes the only one) to our brick shed.
I have ordered a Southford C500 set with rake, diamond, hook, round tool, and a tension tool.

I have never picked a lock before.

I'm not sure what lock it is but the key was a long cylinder with a flap of metal at the end. A nice old key and lock.



I'm going to give it a try in the morning, any tips on how and what tool from my set I should use.


Many thanks,

Please help me prove my wife wrong , she has no faith.


Craig

[frostbyte]

It doesn't sound to me like it's a pin-tumbler, or wafer lock, so the tools you ordered are likely not the ones you need.

If you can find a picture of a key that looks like the one you lost and point us at that we can give you more information.

[noctorum]

Almost sounds like



A tubular lock?

[kehveli]

I disagree with noctorum. I doubt that a shed would have a tubular lock on its door.

I think this sounds like a warded lock or possibly a lever lock with 1-3 levers. If this is the case, then a skeleton key or some lever jigglers will do the job.

Especially this piece suggests that it may be a warded lock:

A nice old key and lock.

But this is only guessing, a picture would make it clearer.

[MrB]

Craig, you didn't say which country you are in!

It sounds like you are in the UK, and you have lever lock. The tools you need to open it are two bent wires, some knowledge of what to do, and some practice. Search in the European forum for lever locks and 2 in 1 picks. Don't expect to pick it by accident, you really will need to know about the internals of the lock and what you are trying to achieve.

As others mentioned, your Southord tools are not going to help, they are for Yale type locks like you might find on your front door. As you will know, your front door key is a completely different shape from your lost shed key.

After you open the lock, you will need either a new lock or a new key. You could call a locksmith or take the lock to a locksmith and ask them to make you a new key. A locksmith can make a new key for an existing lock; it is called impressioning. For a shed, it might be cheaper to buy a new lock though.

[goode262]

Hi,

It looked like this, only slightly newer, but with the same long cylinder body..

http://www.belowstairs.co.uk/acatalog/i ... atalogBody

Sorry , I don't know how to post the picture

Craig

[MrB]

Wow! Why would someone pay so much money for an antique key without even the lock it belongs to??

[master in training]

the lock is most likely a warded lock, you may as well cancel your South Ord pick set unless you want to get into picking more, they will be useless in opening your shed. the best thing to do would be to search for warded lock picking on the site and failing that, just take the door hinge pins out and take the door off that way, then take off the lock and replace it or go to a locksmith to get a new one cut for it.

[goode262]

Yup I'm in Kent.

I guess the Southord tools I've got won't work.

I thought about taking the hinge pins out, but the hinges seem to have washers? both top and bottom so I wouldn't know how to get them off.

If I call a locksmith it will be £70

Anyone live close to Orpington want to come pick up a free Southord set. Oh and while you're about I have this lock that needs picking



Craig

[MrB]

It was pointed out to me recently that warded locks are only found in padlocks, not on doors. Door locks are always lever locks because you need at least one lever or detainer to hold the bolt in place and stop it flying out when you slam the door. Padlocks don't have the same problem so they actually can have only wards to restrict the key from turning.

[MrB]

Try a post in the European forum. There are loads of UK lockies here, and one of them might be close enough to you to help out for less than 70 quid. Considering time and petrol and distance though, don't be too optimistic.

When all is said and done, you might be better with a size 9 pick and then buy a new lock. Depends how desperately you want to get into the shed.

[master in training]

failing all else, force the door and replace the bit that the lock goes into to hold it shut, it will only mean some new screws hopefully, even if you buy a new door and frame it should still be cheaper.

you can mail me that South Ord set if you're feeling generous! lol!

[goode262]

Thanks All,

I want to get in the shed to get to my car shampoo. it's gonna be sunny.
I dont fancy ruining the door, it's a nice colour. Last time I tried DIY I ended up breaking the entire patio door while trying to fit a lock

Any takers for £50 and the southord 5 piece thrown in. PM me...

I live in Orpington, Kent.

C

[master in training]

i would, but i live in the east midlands and its a bit far! oh, and i cant pick lever locks yet, but my only one to practise on is a safe lock, so its a bit hard!

[maty68]

Also, a lot of lever locks have false gates , you may think you've set a gate when its only trapped in a false gate. It may take some time and patience to pick a lever with false gates, not to mention some expensive tools.