Door locked, no key

[UpTheIron]

One of my properties has a standard single garage with main door and personal door. The personal door is locked and I don't have a key. It's a part glazed wooden door and mortice lock of fairly ancient vintage.

What is the easiest / cheapest way of getting the door open so I can fit a new lock? I think (not looked recently) that I can get at the hinges so could possibly remove / drill out the pin? Any other ideas?

[john_p]

Yeah I'd say easiest would be to remove the pins. I had to do that with an internal door and just knocked the pins out with a screwdriver/drift, then you should be able to disassemble the lock..

Edited by john_p on Friday 31st July 16:55

[Dogwatch]

Break glass, arm through, open latch. Replace latch with deadlock, replace glass with something less breakable.

[sybaseian]

UpTheIron said:

One of my properties has a standard single garage with main door and personal door. The personal door is locked and I don't have a key. It's a part glazed wooden door and mortice lock of fairly ancient vintage.

What is the easiest / cheapest way of getting the door open so I can fit a new lock? I think (not looked recently) that I can get at the hinges so could possibly remove / drill out the pin? Any other ideas?

they are generally very easy to open with basic selfmade tools - the levers are symetrical (the same from either side). A little playing around should have you through in no time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqsOLIM-CIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6DNVvK-OBw&NR=...

[UpTheIron]

Dogwatch said:

Break glass, arm through, open latch. Replace latch with deadlock, replace glass with something less breakable.

Mortice lock, not Yale. Oh, and I can get into the garage through the other door

[grumbledoak]

Easiest is going to be to pay a locksmith to come and fit you a new, better lock. It doesn't sound like you'll be needing any kind of emergency call out rates, and good locks aren't that cheap...

[Wings]

Drill into lock mechanism, or if gap between door and surround sufficient, use either angle grinder or hacksaw.

[sybaseian]

Wings said:

Drill into lock mechanism, or if gap between door and surround sufficient, use either angle grinder or hacksaw.

see my post - no damage to anything. Once door is unlocked just replace with a better lock.

[anonymous-user]

Depends how much damage you're willing to cause:



It's not called a master key for nothing.