

Leverage the extractor tool so that it presses against the key.Push the extractor in as far as possible.Insert the spiral key extractor in the cut along the side of the key.
Diy broken key extractor how to#
How to get a broken key out of a lock with a spiral key extractor The hooked end is used to grip onto any of the cuts on the broken key so that it can be pulled out. The grooves along the spiral part of the extractor are meant to grip the broken key so it can be pulled out.Ī hook extractor is a thin, bendable strip of metal that has a hooked end. Broken key extractors come in different forms, two of the most commonly used are a spiral and a hook extractor.Ī spiral key extractor is a thin, bendable piece of metal with a spiralled thread, similar to a screw. Broken key extractorĪ broken key extractor is a tool specifically designed to get a jammed key out of a lock, which is what makes it a locksmith’s tool of choice in these situations. If you do not have any pliers, you can try using a spanner or wrench to pull out the key. Just like the tweezers method, use the pliers to grab the part of the key that is sticking out of the lock and pull it gently. Although any pair of pliers will help, needle-nose pliers will probably work best as they have a thin pointed tip that can easily grip onto small fiddly objects. Pliers are a great removal tool if part of the broken key is sticking out of the door lock. If they aren’t thin enough, don’t attempt to insert them in the keyway, as you might push the key further in and make it even harder to remove.

If no part of the broken key is sticking out and your tweezers are thin enough, you can try to insert them inside the keyway and along the sides of the key. If you are having difficulty pulling it out, try jiggling it up and down to loosen it up while also pulling on it. Do not try to yank the key out, as there is a possibility that the broken key might be snagged, so yanking on it could cause further damage. If part of the broken key is sticking out of the lock, grab it with the tweezers and pull it out slowly. How to get a broken key out of a lock with tweezers If you feel like an emergency locksmith might be too expensive or if you don’t have time to wait for one, you can try some of the following methods.Ī pair of tweezers are often most people’s first port of call when looking for something to get broken keys out of door locks, as they can be found in most households. A locksmith will be able to use the best tool and method to get the key out, and if need be, they will be able to remove and open the lock to retrieve the broken key. Different types of locks may require different methods to get a broken key out of a lock. Locksmiths are technicians that are skilled at lock-picking, repairing a broken lock, and most importantly, in this case, removing a broken key from a lock. Removing a broken key from a lock can be tricky, and if done incorrectly, what started off as a jammed key could end up as a door lock repair. You can use a paperclip or a small screwdriver to try to rotate the keyhole to its original position. For most cylinder locks, like those commonly found on household doors, the keyhole should be vertical. The cylinder has to be put back to its original position for the broken key to be removed from the lock.

If the cylinder was turned when the key broke, the lock pins would no longer be able to move to let the key slide out. Inside the cylinder is a set of different length pins that lock into place and unlock the door when the correct key is inserted and turned. The cylinder is the locking mechanism that you insert the key into in order to unlock a lock. So, before you try any of the methods outlined in this guide, you will need to make sure that the keyhole cylinder is aligned correctly. Most locks are key-retaining, which means that the key can only be removed once it is back in the position it was inserted in.
