Broken star lock

-taff · 15 August 2019 at 1:50PM

The shed door has a normal yale lock and a star shaped key deadlock.

the star shaped lock is not working, the key goes in and just turns and turns, there are no 'teeth' to grip it on the inside and it feels like there is nothing in there to grip it anymore.
Wouldn't be a problem except the lock was engaged and I can't now open the door and neither can I get into the shed any other way.

Short of a locksmith, is there any way that I can force this open, either by drilling and remove or sawing it out ( I was thinking a multitool approach) ?
I did try a crowbar but there isn't enough room between the door and jamb for it to go in.

spadoosh · 15 August 2019 at 2:16PM

Can you not epoxy the key in place, just to get it open?

-taff · 15 August 2019 at 5:32PM

No,because the teeth that grip it in the lock itself aren't in there, it just spins in the hole.

chrisw · 15 August 2019 at 6:31PM

Can you jam something in the hole like a large screwdriver just to turn it?

-taff · 15 August 2019 at 9:34PM

I could,but there is nothing for it to grip. The part that the key usually fits into is not there.

markin · 16 August 2019 at 7:49AM

Multitool or angle grinder then, the teeth on the key are defiantly good? compare it to the spare key?

frugalmacdugal · 16 August 2019 at 8:20AM

Hi,

would you be able to slide a junior hacksaw blade in, teeth onto bolt and twist, maybe shoogle the door at same time.

Or maybe screw a screw into hole, it should bite eventually.

DavidFx · 16 August 2019 at 12:05PM

Is it this type of lock?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yale-Locks-P2PM444WE-Security-Bolts/dp/B004J341A4?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1&th=1

If so then the key and/or the rack inside the bolt has worn or failed

As someone else has suggested - cut through the bolt with a multitool fitted with a metal cutting blade

Kiran · 16 August 2019 at 1:17PM

If it is the type of lock in the above link then you should be able to feed the appropriate sized stud extractor into the hole, wind it in (in reverse) and get the lock to release. Worth a try for £4.

Just for clarity, the lock will definitely be knackered after you do it.
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spadoosh · 16 August 2019 at 1:23PM

-taff wrote: »

No,because the teeth that grip it in the lock itself aren't in there, it just spins in the hole.

Epoxy should be able to withstand the torque required to turn the key and get access to remove cleanly. You dont need the teeth there, just a good epoxy and it being fully cured. Youll just need to be careful the epoxy doesnt touch any bits you do want to move.

Alternatively the screwdriver (rod like tool, that just fits in) with something like a rubber inner tube around it should provide quite a bit of grip, particularly if you angle and apply pressure.

-taff · 16 August 2019 at 1:34PM

Yes,that type of lock.
I'll give the rubber and rod or screwdriver a go then first then.

Broken star lock

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