When I got home today I put my key in the lock and it snapped off level with the lock when I turned it apart from a tiny sliver less than 0.5mm high sticking out. While my wife was looking up Locksmiths I remembered I'd bought some Engineer PZ-58 pliers, initially to removed damaged screws from GPU heatsinks, but in the end never used them...until now, they gripped the tiny sliver of metal sticking out and I could easily remove the broken end of the key, phew, lucky escape.
I imagine using something you'd not used was just as satisfying as getting the key out. Now I feel like I need some for no particular reason.
Last time I found myself in need of a locksmith I ended up bricking the window bc getting the window replaced was cheaper than the locksmith...
Also, that sounds way more fun than waiting around for a bloke with zero training to come round and drill the lock?
Speaking of locksmith... https://forums.bit-tech.net/index.p...-life-right-now.177179/page-1624#post-4905511
If they drill the lock, they ain’t a locksmith. We had a builder doing some work and after they’ve finished put our only key for the backdoor through the letterbox. So, phoned a locksmith, he came 10 minutes later, picked the lock in less than a minute, we were back in. Minus £75 of course. If they want to drill the lock, they’re only doing it to sell you a new lock and fitting service.
Aye, but there are a lot of them about, from what I've read. Recently a friend of mine locked himself out, he realised as the door clicked shut so he went out and did what he was doing and I met him when he got home, I just attacked the cylinder with a 6mm and once enough of it was gone it fell out the back. New one from ScrewFix could only have been about £7?
A new cylinder lock or Yale lock is under £20 for a half decent one. Had I actually engaged my brain though, I could have tied a magnet to a bit of string, put it through the letterbox and pick the key up ♂️ Hindsight and all that..
Depends how tricky it'll be to pick - if it's quicker to drill it out and sell you another, I'd rather anyone charging by the hour take the fastest sensible route.
Thought there would be more love for the Engineer tools - they are absolutely amazing (and very respectably priced for how good they are).
I have a set of those, the needle nose an mini side cutters, they are all really good tools. Keep meaning to get more from that brand.