Changing a lock with no key

pmartin86

Evening All

I've recently(ish - 5 months or so) moved into a new house - I've got "double" patio doors in one room, the "main" door I've got a key for and opens, but I don't have a key for the second door - The house was vacant for several years prior to purchase and getting info from the vendors is essentially a no-go.

So, that being said, what are my options? Based on my experience, changing a barrel usualy needs a key to wiggle it out? can I "drill it" somehow? 

Any advice appreciated

Paul

casper_gutman

First, remove the escutcheon plates from the inside and outside of the door, and the single screw holding the cylinder into the lock from the door edge.

The best approach then will vary. If there's a bit of room around the cylinder you may be able to slip a tool (something narrow like a hair grip or a very narrow file) in alongside the cylinder and use it to push the cam down into the right position. 

Alternatively, if the cylinder is too tight in the lock case, then supposedly it ought to be fairly easy to grab the end of the cylinder with a pair of mole grips and snap it off. I say supposedly because I haven't done it myself, but the wide availability of anti-snap cylinders suggests it must be pretty easy to do!

The "anti snap" features are generally provided on the external part of the cylinder, so perhaps it might be best to attempt this from the inside?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

here's a wee VIDEO, worth a try.

knightstyle

Have you tried the key for the other door?  Our patio double doors both use the same key.

TELLIT01

If you don't want to risk damage to the door and/or the lock, check the cost for a local locksmith to replace the lock.

pmartin86

Thanks all - I'll work through the suggestions this weekend and see how far I get.

casper_gutman - Thanks, I had to google "escutcheon plates" so I've learned something new! Doing it from the inside sounds loike a good call

@[Deleted User] -Very informative, thanks

@knightstyle - The house come with about 30 keys (  ) and they have ALL been tried several times, from both inside and out, no joy

@TELLIT01 - The doors are probably 20 years old and need replacing (Along with most/all of the windows) - The room in question will be converted to a kitchen diner within the next 18 months (lot of major renovation and redesigning going on here) so will lily be replaced anyway - if I damage it there no real loss - Thanks

Carrot007

casper_gutman said:

The "anti snap" features are generally provided on the external part of the cylinder, so perhaps it might be best to attempt this from the inside?

I have never had a euro cyl with it not on both sides. For the simple reason they can not assume which side is outside. Locks can be either side of the door!

chrisw

Carrot007 said:

casper_gutman said:

The "anti snap" features are generally provided on the external part of the cylinder, so perhaps it might be best to attempt this from the inside?

I have never had a euro cyl with it not on both sides. For the simple reason they can not assume which side is outside. Locks can be either side of the door!

Yale locks are handed, with one end marked 'External'.

casper_gutman

I don't think the Yale are the only handed ones - I'm pretty sure the Avocet ABS ones are handed too - but it's a good point that some may be anti-snap from both ends!