Did your key break in the lock? No more way to get your broken tip out from inside the cylinder? Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. There are several ways to get out of this before calling a Locksmith Tampa. For that, all you need is a few tools at home and a little elbow grease! Please find out how to remove a broken key from the lock with our tips!
THE MATERIAL YOU WILL NEED
- A needle nose pliers
- A screwdriver
- A key extraction kits
- With a strong magnet
STEP 1
RETURN THE BARREL TO THE CLOSED OR OPEN POSITION
First of all you must check that the barrel is in the locked or unlocked position. If this is not the case, you will have to put the barrel back in one of the two positions (closed or open). Then, with the screwdriver (or a pair of scissors), spin the broken key’s lock cylinder vertically, leaving the lock in the open or closed position by default. You won’t be able to get the damaged component of the key out of any position other than open or closed. Needle nose pliers work just as well as a screwdriver for this task.
2ND STEP
LUBRICATE THE LOCK
Before you start removing the broken key from the lock, you need to spray the lock mechanism with lubricant. To do this, use a Double Position Spray for precise spraying. By reducing the friction points inside the cylinder, applying a lubricant will facilitate the extraction of the key.
STEP 3
EXTRACT THE BROKEN KEY WHICH PROTRUDES SLIGHTLY FROM THE LOCK
The broken key may still be protruding out of the lock if you’re lucky. In this situation, you can attempt removing the key with needle-nose pliers. It will suffice to pull carefully to release the broken bit if the lock is adequately lubricated and precisely aligned in the locked or unlocked position. Alternatively, you can use the chisel to release the key and then pull with the pliers, as shown in the video.
STEP 4
REMOVE THE BROKEN KEY INSIDE THE MECHANISM
If the preceding approach does not work or the broken key does not stick out of the lock, you should try one of the following options:
- A strong magnet; several people have approved this solution, you still have to find one quickly, and your key is iron-based.
- A broken key extraction kit is used by the locksmiths themselves and which you can find on the internet.
- Make your extraction kit using a jigsaw blade.
Locksmiths have a special kit they use to extract a broken key from a lock, which has several grooved edges that can catch on the notches on a key and pull it out of the lock. If you can’t get one, you can make your own with a thin hacksaw or jigsaw blade.
STEP 5
TAKE THE BROKEN KEY TO A LOCKSMITH
Don’t throw away the broken bits now that you’ve removed the classified key from the lock! Instead, bring the key components to a locksmith to reuse your lock without having to replace it. He’ll be able to duplicate the old key’s design and produce a new one.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!
Better safe than sorry, which is why it’s wise to watch the keys you use regularly to check for signs of wear and fatigue. All the wrenches start to weaken and crack in the head from daily use. If you notice any cracks or thinning where the head meets the notches in the wrench, it is time to have a new one made. You can also relieve key tension by regularly using lock lubricant.
After all, trying hard if you don’t extract the broken key from the lock, now is the time to get the help of a professional locksmith company like All in one Locksmith. They will solve your problem quickly for you at meager rates.