6 Simple Ways to Get a Broken Key out of a Lock
Have a broken key in the door because you tryed to jiggle your key in the lock? this usually happens because the lock is old or the key is no longer good.
Sound familiar? For so many people, this has happened at least once or twice in their life, so it is a very valuable skill to know what to do in this situation and how to fix it as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, there are several simples ways to remove a broken key from a lock and all you need are a few standard, household tools.
1. Use Pliers
A pair of needle nose pliers are very useful in a broken key situation in which the key is still sticking out from the lock slightly. Using the pliers, you can carefully clamp down on the broken end of the key and shimmy it out. Just be careful to not push the key further into the lock.
2. Find the WD-40
To set yourself up for success in removing your broken key it is often helpful to prepare the keyhole with lubricant to loosen up the broken key from the keyhole. Classic WD-40 would work in most situations.
3. Paperclips
- First, bend the paperclip so that it is straight.
- Then carefully insert it into the keyhole just above the broken key.
- When the paperclip has reached the back of the lock, point the paperclip downward and push it in slightly. This is help it to wrap around the front of the broken key.
- Then, with a gentle pulling motion, you can carefully pull the paper clip out along with the broken key.
Paperclips are so much more than a simple piece of office supplies. They can be used as a helpful tool in so many different situations including the removal of broken keys.
4. Jigsaw Blades
Very small jigsaw blades are an excellent tool for removing broken keys from locks. They are so good actually, that professional locksmiths have their own version of the tool that they use themselves. Jigsaw blades are serrated which means that when they are inserted into the top of the lock, above the broken key, the serrations on the blade itself will catch on the key and pull the broken key out with it.
5. Bobby Pins
Bobby pins can be used in the same way as the paperclip. However, for this method you will need to have two of them. 1)Bend the bobby pins so that they are straight and then insert one into each side of the lock (left and right) next to the broken key. 2)Then, apply a firm pressure to both sides and begin to slowly pull out. 3)When the key starts to inch its way out of the lock you can use your fingers to pull the rest out once you can get a firm grip on the remainder of the key.
6. Super Glue
To use this method for broken key removal, first find a small object that can be inserted into the keyhole such as a paperclip or bobby pin. Put a small drop of glue on the end of the object you found and carefully insert it into the lock taking care not to touch the sides of the lock itself. Once the tool finds the broken key, allow it to sit on the key and for the glue to harden. Then, you should be able to carefully remove the object along with the key attached to it. This method should be used last because it can cause damage to the lock, requiring replacement.