Removing a Lock Barrel from a Security Door That Is Closed

Hi there, I’ve got a security door at the moment and the barrel is no longer opening the door with the key.

I’m suspecting internally inside the barrel is screwed and I need to replace it. Problem is the security door is stuck close and I can’t open the door up. I’ve tried removing the screw from the side by getting a pair of pliers, but the bolt is hitting the frame of the door and trying to cut the screw in piece. However, this resulted with the remaining part of the bolt going back into the door and I can’t get it out with the door close.

Any ideas on getting this barrel out will be greatly appreciated

Comments

  • +4

    This is difficult by design, for obvious reasons.
    You'll need a provide photos and detail, probably to a more specialised forum.

    • +2

      Doesn’t get more specialised than this one.

      OP try putting on an alert for any locksmith deals.

      • +1

        Haha least you’ve made me smile during this frustrating situation

    • It’s pretty much identical to one of these

      https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ9eHtl…

      I somehow was able to get to the barrel retaining screw. However it hitting on the frame and despite attempting to cut the screw, part of it gone back inside and I can’t get it out, with the door closed.

      • +1

        Hang on, those can be removed from inside,no? Why can you not access the door from the other side? Are you trying to break in?

        • I can remove the screws from the inside but I still need to get to the screws that hold the barrel

      • From memory, if it is a single tongue lock, I could not remove the barrel unless it was unlocked, as the key turned a cam which stuck out unless the barrel was unlocked in which case the cam was at a 12 o'clock position. Like this.

        I'm surprised you could access the barrel retaining screw as there doesn't appear to be much room to do so.

        • you are correct. The key turns a cam. Pulled one of these apart 2 weeks back

      • +2

        Actually this video is better - you should be able to move the cam to the 12 o'clock to free the barrel (unless the barrel screw is still engaged).

        • +8

          The razor blade was the only piece of the puzzle I was missing. This morning I attempted it again with twisting the key and sliding a razor blade between the barrel and lock body and I was able to slide it out. Turn out that the cam has snapped off the barrel (which hence why I couldn’t open it in the first place)

    • -1

      Perhaps a break and enter forum would be able to provide more advice. For all we know the OP could be planning a burglary.

      • Locks are designed to be taken apart from the inside but not from the outside for obvious reasons.

    • +2

      Yes we really need photos…

      What did OP think we could do?
      Wave a magic wand and see the type of door and lock OP has?
      well OB is good at providing answers but has no such magical powers.
      Thats why posters provide photos in thier brief dear OP.

      If its the standard aluminium frame fly screen door with diamond grill (ie not really a security door) it will have the standard Whitco lock.
      This can be snapped in half and removed.
      But you must have the door open and grab the lock on both sides with pliers.
      Once removed - you can manouver the lock with a screw driver.

      But since the door cannot be opened its a locksmith job.

      • When I posted this, it was late at night & I couldn't get good photos of it. However, photos are a fantastic resource for troubleshooting. The nature of this post was to verify if I missed something before I called a locksmith or if I overlooked something.

        I was somehow able to get into the side bolt that held the barrel & after cutting the screw with a drill & I was able to cut the bolt into pieces. However, it still wouldn't come out. However, the barrel still wouldn't come out. Naturally, it was late at night & I was tired.

        I attempted it again the following morning & all I was missing was sliding the razor blade between the cylinder & lock body, twisting the key & the barrel came out. It was the help of a couple of OB members who pointed me to a couple of videos & I figured it out from there.

        • Excellent work !

  • +1

    Locksmith.

    • @pegaxs

      • +6

        Nah, I don’t do locksmith threads anymore since I was told in a 3 page diatribe that I didn’t know what I was talking about… by a guy who is a burger flipper or some unrelated shit.

        I don’t want to incur that wrath again and I leave it to them as the site’s preeminent lock expert.

        I really only do locksmith as a side hustle, so I’m not as good with it as my main job of fuc… errr, I meant “fixing” cars.

        • +4

          I guess that is filed away with the guy who had the system to beat the casinos.

          • @Baysew: Yep, I am still waiting for them to get back to me with a detailed explanation of how it works so I can tear it apart… Cant be working too well, as I have not heard of anybody rolling a casino out of millions in Australia in the last 12 months :D

  • Cut the bolt with hacksaw blade?

    • I’ve tried using my drill to cut through the bolt. However the remaining part of the bolt is now inside the door and it almost impossible to get out now :/

  • Relevant humorous deal
    Relevant useful deal

    Lockpicking isn't difficult, but takes time and patience - if you've got a spare Saturday arvo then it might work out cheaper than calling a locksmith, who will likely just drill it out anyway.

    • +1

      I’ve got the key, but is not engaging the mechanism inside the barrel.

  • +1

    Take the pins out of the hinges.

    • Can’t get to the pins…they in between the door jam

    • Yeah, nah. If it's a decent security door, won't be able to remove hinge pins, design feature.

  • +2

    Is the key not turning in the lock? Perhaps one of the pins in the lock is stuck? With the key in the lock, you can try lightly tapping the end of the key with a hammer and see if the pins can align so you can turn the key. A small spray of WD40 might also loosen the pins.

    If that fails, I would try to drill out the pins in the lock:.

    Last resort would be to cut the tongue / latch with an angle grinder or hacksaw blade. Very slow especially if tongue / latch is hardened steel and may damage the door or frame.

    • Could have top and bottom levers might need to lean on the top and bottom of the door while trying to turn the key?

      • Yes, if 3 point locking, worth trying as sometimes the upper or lower levers get stuck.

    • Turned out it was the cam that snapped off the barrel that was the culprit. I was able to somehow get the barrel out as I was twisting the key and putting a razor blade between the barrel & lock body.

  • head over to the local police station, ask if there are any criminals locked up for break and enter robberies. offer to pay for their bail if they break open that lock
    pay bail
    get lock open.
    boom

    or locksmith

    i prefer option 1

  • +2

    If it was easy it wouldnt be a very good security door would it?

    You're probably going to have to break something. Jam a big screwdriver into the key slot and uss some vice grips to turn it. .

  • +1

    Call a locksmith before you think about damaging the door.

  • Just unscrew the hinges and take the door out that way

    • +1

      How does OP access the hinge screws with the door closed?

      • Ita easy, just remove the wall beside thebdoor to access then.

      • I can remove the screws from the inside

        OP said he has access to both sides of the door

  • I had a similar issue and managed to resolve after a few YouTube videos

    Based on OPs responses, it's been resolved.

  • Drill the lock.

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