How do you get a broken key out of a keyhole?

Nunu

I haven't a clue where to post this so I'll put it here.

I just broke the key of my garage door in the keyhole:o . The key would be the same as a front door key. I've tried in vain to get it out. Does anyone have any ideas how to get it out? I really don't want to have to call someone out.

Anyone ever have a siimiliar problem? What did you do?

meditraitor

Eyebrow plucker should do the trick

MorningStar

Just remove the barrel and replace it that way.Very easy to do

Merrick

If you can just take the whole lock apart and get it out.

rabbitinlights

Blutac

tba

I used the smallest bit of superglue on the broken end.

but try a bent pin first

Pompey Magnus

Don't know if this is bull or not but you could try the old half a tennis ball trick by cutting the tennis ball in half, putting it up against the keyhole and hitting it hard, the air pressure supposedly forces the lock to open, it might force the broken key out of the lock like the fat kid stuck in the tube in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
I never tried it before so I dunno if it works or not .

Canis Lupus

Depeche_Mode wrote:

Don't know if this is bull or not but you could try the old half a tennis ball trick by cutting the tennis ball in half, putting it up against the keyhole and hitting it hard, the air pressure supposedly forces the lock to open, it might force the broken key out of the lock like the fat kid stuck in the tube in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
I never tried it before so I dunno if it works or not .

That I was told by a mechanic only worked on a certain type of lock on a certain car. No longer applies to locks today.


Personally I suggest the use of dynamite and if that doesn't shift it well *tradesmans intake of air through the teeth* I'm afraid you will have to replace the entire door.... and side of the house..... It'll be expensive.

cakehole

Depeche_Mode wrote:

Don't know if this is bull or not but you could try the old half a tennis ball trick by cutting the tennis ball in half, putting it up against the keyhole and hitting it hard, the air pressure supposedly forces the lock to open, it might force the broken key out of the lock like the fat kid stuck in the tube in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
I never tried it before so I dunno if it works or not .

hahah that was in the fast show...brilliant sketch..it works on some car doors as the locks are sealed but wouldnt work heres cos air can escape from the side....thanks for the memeory but that was a funny sketch.

Lump

Call a lock smith.

John

azezil

Is the door open or closed? if its closed, I doubt you'd be able to get it out with any manner of poking device (heh), best just drilling the lock.

If its open, you may be able to take the lock apart.

Sparky

speaker magnet

MartMax

move out into a new house. ahaha.

find a locksmith and replace with new locks.

Nunu

The door is closed and locked. The keyhole is part of the handle, if you know what I mean. Not like in a house front door where its at eye level and there's no handle.

I had a go with a magnet, blue tac and glue. Sadly none worked. The main problem is, somehow it broke off a good 2cm into the keyhole so there's nothing to grasp at with tweezers etc. I'll have to get something thin with a jagged edge to pull the bit out along the teethed side of the key.

If that fails it's a locksmith I'm afraid.:(

Oh yeah, in desperation, I also tried to suck it out using the hoover - and got some very funny looks from my next door neighbour before he gave me a loan of the magnet.

NoDayBut2Day

Lump wrote:

Call a lock smith.

John

My thoughts exactly. I mean, try to get it out on your own, and if you can't, call someone who knows what they're doing.

Much luck to you.

Sparky

whynot get the key, dab a bit of superglue on it and insert it, leaving it long enough to make contact with the broken end.

is the lock a yale key, union etc or a chubb key, because if push comes to shove you can always take it out of the door, or wait till you go to a wholesalers and get a new barrell or locking mechanism.
Some locksmiths will charge the earth at this time of night.

senordingdong

Explosives.

Pompey Magnus

Sparky-s wrote:

whynot get the key, dab a bit of superglue on it and insert it, leaving it long enough to make contact with the broken end.
.

Ooooh very clever.

dar83

Depeche_Mode wrote:

Ooooh very clever.

Until it superglues the free end of the key to the inside of the lock along with the broken bit.

Zapp Brannigan

Canis Lupus wrote:

Personally I suggest the use of dynamite and if that doesn't shift it well *tradesmans intake of air through the teeth* I'm afraid you will have to replace the entire door.... and side of the house..... It'll be expensive.

lol :v:

mickymg2003

Kick the door and shout obscenitys at it. Then call a lock smith.

Steffano2002

Use the broken key! My father broke his car key inside the ignition just like you. He was gutted. Then he realised he just needed to use the key that broke inside and it worked perfectly. He just had to make sure not lose the key is all...

Pompey Magnus

1. Find a thin-bladed piece of serrated metal. A broken coping saw blade is perfect, if you happen to have one.

2. Determine which way the key is oriented. You'll want to work from the side with the teeth, not the smooth side.

3. Slide the serrated blade into the keyhole so that the key and blade are tooth-to-tooth.

4. Push the blade in far enough for its teeth to grab the key's teeth.

5. Draw the blade out slowly and smoothly.

From here.

cormie

Don't give up at this stage, keep going, it's your mission. The satisfaction you'll get when you get it out will be far greater than whatever relief you may be given by calling a locksmith out.

senordingdong

Call MacGyver!

Oriel

Call a plumber

MrJones

i had similar problem,but it was with my car.
the key got stuck when i was locking the driver side door.
what you need is try get some oil or lubrication into the keyhole and then just keep trying until it comes out. its trial and error.
you know that lubrication stuff you can buy-comes in a aerosol can.there's a long nozzle that comes with it for getting the lubricant into tight spots(but seriously!)-buy that stuff.

Nunu wrote:

I haven't a clue where to post this so I'll put it here.

I just broke the key of my garage door in the keyhole:o . The key would be the same as a front door key. I've tried in vain to get it out. Does anyone have any ideas how to get it out? I really don't want to have to call someone out.

Anyone ever have a siimiliar problem? What did you do?

Dave!

Have you tried wrapping your lips around the keyhole and sucking it out?

You might be better off asking one of your female friends to do it actually -- wha? wha? wha?

Merrick

It's been 2 days now, I assume the key is out already...

Mercury

If it's the type of lock that I am thinking of, then the only way you will get the key out is to unscrew the handle from the door itself. It's not a complicated process - either you can see the screws already, or there's a cover plate clipped over the lock. If so, unclip the cover plate and unscrew the handle, with locking mechanism.

Once it's off, if you look at the back you will see that the keyhole extends all the way through, and you can push the key back out by pushing a pin into the reverse side.

Whatever you do, DON't use superglue. The fumes will react with the moisture in the lock, and either jam the key, or seize up the pins in the lock barrel.

Clinical Waste

DaveMcG wrote:

Have you tried wrapping your lips around the keyhole and sucking it out?

You might be better off asking one of your female friends to do it actually -- wha? wha? wha?

Merrick wrote:

It's been 2 days now, I assume the key is out already...

Better off with a Professional for that level of suckage. Be cheaper than the plumber suggested above anyways. :v:

delly

I need closure on this story

Oriel

Gay plumber?

MrJones

buy a can of WD-40 in order to lubricate the lock.
its the winner.

Merrick wrote:

It's been 2 days now, I assume the key is out already...

Nunu

UPDATE:

Sorry for leaving you all in suspense. I managed to get the garage door open from the inside with a spare key - 2 days later! It was impossible to get the key out. Here's how I did it:

The door in question was the way into the garage from the back garden. The garage backs out into a lane where there is a traditional garage shutter which typicaly could only be unlocked from the inside. Knowing where this lock is at floor level I used a carjack to get whatever lift was possible on the shutter door - we're talking a couple of inches - and my younger sister(small hands) slid her hand under with the key and miraculously managed to open it with little or know room for manouevre. Then all that was left was to lift the shutter door open and open the garage door from the inside.

With the door now open I had to take the lock apart because the broken key couldn't be pushed from the inside. It's still stuck in the now defunct lock by the way! I have replaced it with a spare lock I had in the house.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Some of them were ingenious and I'm amazed they didn't work, but this key was just not budging.

Capt'n Midnight

Mercury wrote:

Whatever you do, DON't use superglue. The fumes will react with the moisture in the lock, and either jam the key, or seize up the pins in the lock barrel.

Use nail varnish remover to remove the superglue.

GLaDOS

Run headfirst into the lock...if that doesnt work call a locksmith....and a docter

Heyes

meditraitor wrote:

Eyebrow plucker should do the trick

do u mean a tweezers :rolleyes:

senordingdong

No, he means an eyebrow plucker!!!!

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

No, he means an eyebrow plucker!!!!

Ssssuuusssshhh you

senordingdong

Don't you start!

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

Don't you start!

Start what ?

senordingdong

Oh here we go...

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

Oh here we go...

U luv it lol

senordingdong

You want it!

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

You want it!

now its my time to say...dont you start :rolleyes: lol and never gonna happen... lol

senordingdong

So you agree that I'm way out of your league.

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

So you agree that I'm way out of your league.

hahahaahahahahaha, please im getting a stich from laughing so much, oh and GET OVER YOURSELF

senordingdong

Heyes wrote:

hahahaahahahahaha, please im getting a stich from laughing so much,

Ah come on Heyes, you're not that bad.

Though when things seem desperate, all one can really do is laugh at themself.

Heyes

senordingdong wrote:

Ah come on Heyes, you're not that bad.

Though when things seem desperate, all one can really do is laugh at themself.

OOhh the personal slaggings are coming in now....mmm...not ness a wise decision

senordingdong

Personal me arse.
Get over yourself.