Off topic but I thought someone here might know...
A friend has got a 5lever mortice lock that has jammed locked. It was apparently jammed unlocked for a while then started working and now won't
open. The key turns about 120' then won'tmove. only way I can think of is either brute force and then repair the door frame or possibly cut
through the lock pin with a thin blade in the angry grinder (will mark the door and frame but not a lot).
Any other ideas?
In the immortal words of Arkwright the shop keeper "j-j-j-j-j-j-j-jiggle it a bit"
chances are that the key is worn not the lock. take the key to the cutting shop but get them to oversize it a bit. try the new one in the lock if it still doesn't work then give it a fettle with a file bit by bit.
ive used a 1mm grinding disc in the past, yes it marked the brass plate but not the door. Just make sure you have a correct sized replacement before
doing it!
Place i go to does locks for £10-£15 so not worth messing about for that kind of money!
[Edited on 2/2/12 by JoelP]
Well I've jgg..gg..gg..gled it a lot. Even had the handle off and tried tapping the lock while jiggling.
Also tried 3 different keys; One old one, one slightly worn and one that was new. When it started working after being stuck unlocked all three worked
perfectly.
The lock is knackered anyway then. If there is much of a gap when closed, you may be able to drill a small dent onto the side of it, then use a small
lever to help it across as the key is turned.
Or maybe a liberal dose of oil.
What kind of door is it, can you get at the hinges ?
Might sound daft, but have you tried it from both sides (assuming your not locked in/out)?
Previous front door lock worked perfectly from inside, but was a PITA from outside.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
What kind of door is it, can you get at the hinges ?
Why didn't I think of that? Best bit is its the bottom half of a split "stable" type door" so a lot easier
to man-handle.
Try giving the lock a squirt of WD40 or penetrating oil
What, even more WD?
Going to leave it till Sat' to tackle it in case it all goes tits-up.
Is it possible that the door has dropped so that all the weight is on the mortice stopping the lock turning?
Could you try lifting it a fraction and then turning the lock?
Tried that.
Make sure they still make the lock... I had a day and a half trying to find a replacement for mine and ended up with a "nearly the same" one and butchered plates from the old one.
quote:ok, have you tried having someone heavy push hard on the door to 'close' it and try the lock in case its jamming that way? - i'm trying to avoid the cutting options as once you start you have to finish.
Originally posted by adithorp
Tried that.
I had this when the ex naffed off with ALL the keys for the house.
I ended up pusing the pins out of the hinges and opening the door the wrong way as it were.
Try that.
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
quote:ok, have you tried having someone heavy push hard on the door to 'close' it and try the lock in case its jamming that way? - i'm trying to avoid the cutting options as once you start you have to finish.
Originally posted by adithorp
Tried that.
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
For reference, I've wiggled, jiggled, banged, tapped, oiled, pushed, pulled, lifted, pressed, rattled and rolled it.
I'll be doing it the way Brooky did tomorrow.
[Edited on 3/2/12 by adithorp]
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
For reference, I've wiggled, jiggled, banged, tapped, oiled, pushed, pulled, lifted, pressed, rattled and rolled it.
I'll be doing it the way Brooky did tomorrow.
[Edited on 3/2/12 by adithorp]
I think I suggested the hinge route a bit further up the thread, I had to cut some and put new ones on. The pins don't push out of good hinges.