Cannot unlock my bike!!!!!!!!!!

[Synthman]

This afternoon I tried to unlock the huge padlock and chain securing my bike, and the key wouldn't open it. Sprayed oil and tried again, and the key snapped off in the lock! I had to walk to my destination and back which I didn't enjoy at all!

The chain/padlock is the Onguard 5017 which I've had for 2 years and cost £50. Even with 3 spare keys, it is very unlikely I will be able to remove what's left of the key from the lock and be able to use it again.

I'm not going to deal with it until I can find a replacement padlock. The padlock can be obtained separately OnGuard but not in the UK it seems. Maybe I'll try the shop I got it from in the first place.

My plan is to get the reciprocating saw out, and cut the shackle off the padlock, allowing me to save the chain. But I can't find a decent padlock to go with it. If there was any way I can save the current lock I'd be willing to try it.

 

[indalo]

I have known locksmiths do magical things in such situations. When I had something similar happen, a locksmith retrieved the broken key in less than a minute but made me go away so I couldn't see which tool(s) he used.

In my case, it was a lock on an armoured door which was a pretty expensive thing. In the case of a padlock, unless you know a friendly locksmith, it's not economically viable to pay someone; just buy a new padlock.

Indalo

 

[spiritburner]

I have to get broken keys out of locks quite often over here in Spain, what i use is two very fine needle type rods, normally stainless wire, i grind sharp points on them and then i insert these into the lock and use them to gently tease the broken key out of the lock. Once the key is visible use fine nose pliers to remove the rest. Works for me every time even on rusty locks, the trick is to get as hardened steel as you can so it doesnt bend as you tease around. Good luck

Neil

 

[flecc]

Agree with Neil, in fact large sewing or darning nedles work well for this and are already sharp pointed. Just got out my neighbour's broken off front door key this way a few weeks ago.

 

[neptune]

Have you tried banging the lock down onto a hard object so that the momentum of the key causes it to shoot out far enough to get plyers on it ?

 

[Synthman]

About 1cm of the key has broken off. There are shutters on the keyhole in the padlock, and the mechanism is quite deep in the lock as well. The key did turn a bit before it snapped, and the lock retains the key unless it is fully locked. There isn't much space to work with either as the bike is secured by the back wheel and a gate.

I will try banging the lock down on something hard, and sourcing a replacement padlock.

 

[spiritburner]

About 1cm of the key has broken off. There are shutters on the keyhole in the padlock, and the mechanism is quite deep in the lock as well. The key did turn a bit before it snapped, and the lock retains the key unless it is fully locked. There isn't much space to work with either as the bike is secured by the back wheel and a gate.

I will try banging the lock down on something hard, and sourcing a replacement padlock.

Before you trash the lock try holding back the shutter with a pin and a toothpick to wedge it open and try the pick method it really does work, you might need another pair of hands and a lot of patience....

 

[flecc]

Another approach. When my neighbour was locked out, I inserted the outer part of the key and with a bit of inward pressure at the same time, I was still able to turn it to unlock the door. Then I used the needles to get the broken part out.

 

[RegularGuy]

Oh good luck with that. I wouldn't spend too much time on that. It's probably time for the old bolt cutters.

I've had to remove a few locked bikes as part of a job I used to have, car jack works wonders for D Locks, but it's probaby down to an old fashioned drill or boltcutters for that lock.

Do make sure you inform the police before you try to crack it and avoid wearing a stripey jumper with a bag marked 'swag' or you may get some funny looks...

 

[flecc]

avoid wearing a stripey jumper with a bag marked 'swag' or you may get some funny looks...

I think a bike alarm could be screaming, you could wear a stripey jumper with a hoodie and balaclava, carry a bag marked "SWAG" with a jemmy sticking out, and use large boltcutters.

Joe Public would still just walk past.

 

[Synthman]

Well, I found a candidate for a replacement padlock. At least I know mine's secure as there's no way I can cut through it, I tried and it didn't make a scratch.

I will try picking the key out with some implement, and then maybe destroying the chain itself, but it's going to be difficult.

 

[steve.c]

Try a small amount of super glue on the rest of the key you have out and push it in and hold it in tight overnight with some tape then you might be able to withdraw the afending piece??.
Steve.

 

[Synthman]

I had a second attempt at picking it out. There's very little space to get anything through. I held the shutter open with half of a tweezer, and then inserted varous items in there to remove it. I tried precision screwdrivers and a needle, but something's holding the key in there.

I thought about the superglue thing, but I think it will unstick when any force is applied. I introduced the saw to the chain and it barely made a scratch after 60 seconds. Even if I get an angle grinder out I think it will be complicated.

I feel like giving up and forgetting about it to be honest.

I've drilled many locks in the past, and cut various metals, padlocks, and bike locks with powered hacksaws and all that's been successful. This time I know I've got no chance.

How much will a locksmith cost?

 

[neptune]

Provide that you can find a way to hold the lock from moving , an angle grinder will do it no trouble . Remember to wear safety goggles and gloves .

 

[steve.c]

Keep trying and look up a local locksmith in yellow pages and ring and ask them but it proves to all of us that a GOOD LOCK & CHAIN is very hard to cut through so they work but that's no good to you now another way is hire a disc cutter and try to cut the lock and not the chain.
Steve.

 

[flecc]

I've no idea on the locksmith cost, they'll want a fair amount just to come out. Then they will only do what you are thinking of, drilling out for example. Alternatively an oxy-acetylene welder could quickly cut the chain through for you

An angle grinder will do the job, so long as you can find a way of clamping the lock or chain firmly in place, a heavy vice for example.
.

 

[Cakey]

Not sure on lock size , bolt croppers 36 inch crop 16 mm , 30 inch crop 13 mm .
Also go to your friendly fire station some will crop it for you .

 

[spiritburner]

use a 1 mm metal disc in your angle grinder and use very little pressure, let the machine do the work, using a 1mm disc means you have a lot less metal to cut through than using a wider disc. Cover the bike with something to protect it and anything else from the sparks and make sure no glass is near the grinder as the sparks will damage the glass, also remove the battery! Wear eye protection!

If the metal disc wont cut it then try a tile cutting diamond wheel, just be careful not to let it get too hot as the glue holding the diamonds on will melt. Always let the machine do the work.

Good Luck

Neil

 

[Synthman]

It's been a long time since I used an angle grinder, more than 10 years maybe. Cheers for the advice. I was concerned about the sparks causing damage too, the bike has a lot of plastic. I've got access to massive sheet metal roadsigns that I can cover the bike with. The chain is very short though, about 1m, and I think the lock will always be within 50cm of the back wheel. Not only do I have to worry about the bike, and the windows, but also passers by.

The problem is that my angle grinder is at my dad's house 4 miles away, I can't use the bike to go and get it. Then I have to get the correct disc for it (it currently has the stone grinding disc that I last used 10 years ago) and there's no longer any shops within walking distance that sells them. Honestly, I don't think I'm up to completing this successfully.

 

[spiritburner]

ok, then as per another comment have a word with the fire service and see if they will treat it as a training exercise and come and cut it off for you, one assumes you can prove its your bike, of course if you registered it under Fleccs recent thread discussions then no problem there at all All respect to Flecc!


Cheers

Neil