What to buy?

[supercat]

Hi there, I need I little help please if anyone can spare the time. I have recently got a contract with a yorkshire based housing association and have to perform "gain entries" to get the rest of the work or it goes to another contractor. All the doors are fitted with euro profile cylinders which up to now I aint had to mess with as the tennant has given up the keys to my great relief. But one day I'm gonna have to do it and I dont know how. As you are probably all lock smiths and you are all thinking "Why dont you just get someone in you idiot?". Well the answer is I get paid on a "scale of works" tarriff and its only fifty quid and I have to supply a new lock. So what do I buy? Most of the locks have cowls around them so the lock appears to be re-bated so one of those break off gizmo's wont work. Please help me. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[Chucklz]

Your probably going to get a few flames on this. First, the majority of us are NOT locksmiths. But several of us are, and many are based in the UK. It would be helpful to have more details on what you must do. I assume lock work is a very small part of the contract you bid on. Do you have to supply a new euro cyinder after every lockout, regardless of circumstances? Do you have a supplier in mind? Are you sure you will only have to deal with these euros, and no lever locks? How much are you willing to invest? In tools? In training?

[supercat]

OK. so most meaning 90% are euros and some others. I dont want to have break every door down but apart from you the moderator it seems i will have to. This is not a problem to me, But I would appreciate a little help from the lock picking fraternity. The deal is that I only get £50 per entry even if its 40 miles from my home. Now I dont want to do anyone out of any money but if anyone wants to remove and re-fit for fifty quid then Im ok with that. Email me and we'll sort it out but if not I would like to know the best and most efficient way to do it.,
So again I ask, can any one tell me the best way to pick or pull a euro lock, what should I buy?

[Chucklz]

Check out the FAQ section and of course, google for the MIT guide. From what I understand about other UK locks, specifically the BS rated lever locks, you will need to invest several hundred pounds on tools and training to learn to pick these locks. You may be better off subbing to a local smith.

[sivlogkart]

Basically it needs skill as well as tools to open these locks, and even though it is true that most people could aquire the skill to do this, it takes a variable amout of time, so we cannot advise you much more than we have as we cannot predict how long it will take you to master this.

It is tricky and made harder if you feel under pressure too. I would also think you are better off finding someone with the skill and tools already.

Best wishes,

KJ

[toomush2drink]

First up fill in your profile so we a t least have half an idea where in the world you are. I cannot see anyone emailing you until you help us to help you.
If there were enough i would do it for that price but as i dont know where you are how can i offer ?

[Keyring]

Whilst your're right, he *did* say 'yorkshire' in his first post

[toomush2drink]

My point is that he wants to make money and he wants our help so as the saying goes "when in rome....."

[Keyring]

Sorry, toomush, I missed the nuances. I'm not in the trade at the moment. I'll creep away quietly...

[leedslad]

having brought a plug puller about three months ago i used it for the 1st time last week. Have tried to pick it 1st but under a time limit i used the plug puller worked excellently. this is what you need.

[Tattoo Guy]

Only problem with the plug puller as I have found to my expense is that if there are any hardened pins i the cylinder and you try to pull it there is a good chance the pulling screw will snap in the cylinder at which point you're screwed...

[pinky]

you dont want a plug puller, you want to learn to pick these beasts, plenty of posts exist on here about thumb turn turners, letterbox tools, hand picking and electric pick guns, this is where you want to be looking and reading, and in these threads you will find all the answers you need.

if locks are to be changed anyway, then 1 x 4mm drill bit is all you need to get a 2 minute opening with no damage.

i doubt you will get much help from the locksmiths, though i know a few that would help you out, and may do these jobs at this rate, rockford , gee52 and steve smith on 101 are all yorkshire lockies and im sure would help you out. but i cant see them helping you to do their jobs without the investment training and tooling they have paid out for, after all we are trying hard to stop all non licensed locksmiths from trading full stop.