Anyone good with locks.

[ukracer]

I have a lock barrel I need to replace as it has a broken key in it. Patio door type. Problem is the central tang is not central but it's also not loose. I have stripped the door down but still no joy. Can I drill out the key part and hope the tang moves..

 

[the snooper]

I have a lock barrel I need to replace as it has a broken key in it. Patio door type. Problem is the central tang is not central but it's also not loose. I have stripped the door down but still no joy. Can I drill out the key part and hope the tang moves..

can you post a picture of it I'm sure it will help people give better info

 

[ukracer]

No I am in bed.. Lol but I can find one like it.
As you can see the tang that turns and contacts the bolt needs to be central when going in or out to be replaced. I have a new one ready to go in so the old one is scrap anyway.

 

[bump]

Sounds like a euro cylinder. There are ways, best PM'd.

If you post a photo, we can go from there.

 

[ukracer]

Sounds like a euro cylinder. There are ways, best PM'd.

If you post a photo, we can go from there.

Posted... The tang is not far of but I think the key has snapped and stopped it turning

 

[the snooper]

sent you a pm

 

[bump]

Yep a euro. If Snooper's method doesn't work, just shout.

 

[piman]

Hello Ukracer,

as long as the key is the correct one, then the barrel should turn, try a big screwdriver if there's enough purchase or else drift round with a centre punch and hammer?

Alec

 

[BrokenBiker]

many many ways to get a euro cylinder out...i had to break into my grandmothers house the other month as she had hit her panic button...i got there first but she had left her key in the lock on the inside so i couldnt get my key in...only took a few seconds to get in

 

[Robotstar5]

I've got a few spare eurocylinders with keys if you need one?

 

[Reggie Mills]

I have a lock barrel I need to replace as it has a broken key in it. Patio door type. Problem is the central tang is not central but it's also not loose. I have stripped the door down but still no joy. Can I drill out the key part and hope the tang moves..

If you were to use the correct key, would the lock still function? Are you trying to remove it because the key is broken in the lock? It seems to me that the reason you are replacing the lock is because of the broken key inside the cylinder (which I believe you are referring to as a barrel). I would recommend that you just take the key fragment out, and continue using the lock. (That is, unless the key broke off in the first place because the lock does not work.) You can get pretty much any broken key out of a lock with a small hacksaw blade. Just place the blade in the keyway like it was a key. Twist the blade so that the serrations grip the brass, and pull it out quickly. It might take a few tries but you will get the key out little by little. If that doesn't work, or you don't understand from my explanation, read this: http://united-locksmith.net/blog/6-simple-ways-to-get-a-broken-key-out-of-a-lock

In the case that the lock is broken entirely, and getting the key out is not going to help you move the tang, look into lock snapping. I don't want to get into it here, but if you have a standard Euro Cylinder (not one with the BSS stamp), then you can break your lock in the housing. Once that is done, you will be able to actuate the tang as if you were turning the key in a working lock. You may need to get some tools, or you may already have them.

If you are drilling the lock, make sure you know what you are doing. The idea of drilling a lock revolves around destroying the pins and the shear line. If you do not know what those are, then I would caution against attempting to just drill it out. Also, drilling the lock while there is a broken key inside is ill advised. If you are going to drill it, remove the key fragment first.

 

[ukracer]

Thanks for all who replied I forgot to post it was all sorted....wish I was a burglar they have such an easy life

 

[bump]

When you know you do worry about the design

 

[Wedg1e]

You can pick the damn things in no time flat, that's why there are now 'pick-proof' ones (some new British Standard I think). The older and slacker the easier, although that goes for ex-wives as well

 

[ronan]

Is that not one of those snap locks which is designed to snap in half if someone trys to twist the lock with a vice grips or pliers ? Could you not just snap it and replace it ?