Lockpicks, need your help

UnworthyBean

UnworthyBean

UnworthyBean

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15 Jun 2009
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Ok there's a guy down the road with a nice big TV, he's out all day and I really want to nick it, help me break in?

Seriously though, a key in my padlock snapped off last year, I managed to just bend the bolt so it slides past and have never bothered with it. It's a rented garage though and looking to return it so will probably need to get it off, any ideas? Im not sure If a couple of needles and just unlocking it will work if the key is actually in properly?

I would just replace the whole lock but I'm honestly not sure how they managed to get it on, the nuts on the rear are in such a difficult location.

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If the blade is all the way in and you haven't snapped off any of the teeth, then you may be able to unlock it just by turning the cylinder.
However, it looks a touch rusty, so you may need some graphite spray (don't use WD40). For that same reason, a key extractor may not work and you'd likely not have much success with proper lockpicks either. I don't think you can easily shim these locks, although the hammer trick might work.

But basically, as mentioned, your most likely approach will be to angle-grind through the lock bolt.
 
I've seen a video on youtube of someone melting the top of a wax stick and then putting it onto the lock, waiting for it to cool and then turning it. But not sure how well it would work!
 
+1 for renting cordless angle grinder.

Could even make some money back by harvesting bikes in town too.

Wait, the padlock isn't actually stopping you doing anything is it?

Could just leave it.
 
Dremel with cutting blade should go through that, I accidentally used a wood cutting blade through a hardened steel padlock once and it went through. Make sure to wear eye protectors though.
 
Yep the padlock is literally just decoration at the moment, can still get in and out fine. Might potentially deter a thief though so could market it as a positive?

Don't think the key is actually in properly as I tried needle nose pliers to try and turn but didn't budge.

I'm tempted to just not bother and see if anything is mentioned. Worst case scenario is I just rent a grinder and get it off for them.
 
UnworthyBean said:
Ok there's a guy down the road with a nice big TV, he's out all day and I really want to nick it, help me break in?

Seriously though, a key in my padlock snapped off last year, I managed to just bend the bolt so it slides past and have never bothered with it. It's a rented garage though and looking to return it so will probably need to get it off, any ideas? Im not sure If a couple of needles and just unlocking it will work if the key is actually in properly?
Click to expand...

If the key is all the way in there, surely you just need a thin piece of stiff metal with an L shape on the end to act as a turning tool? This is the sort of shape you need, you can probably make it out of any old flat piece of metal if you can put a bend in it. Maybe spray some penetrating fluid to loosen it up so it turns easily.

Otherwise it's an angle grinder or bolt croppers meant for high tensile steel.
 
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