I threw out my letter box key as I'm an idiot, please help :(

minty on 27/09/2023 - 08:07

Was expecting my C/C in the mail yesterday and whilst I was throwing away the phamlet and letter that came with it I think I threw my letter box key in there as it was in the same hand. Bloody looked everywhere on the ground/bushes and fumbled around in the bin for ages but it's a goner.

I would have left this for another day me but my parents have gone away on holidays and I'm going in a week too, so they've sent the referendum form for me to fill out and I need to do mine as well, god damn paper forms in 2023…

I'll call up strata this morning to get a quote for a replacement key, though not sure the timeframe which it'll get to me, imagine a week + ~$50 would be the standard(?)

It's one of those tumbler/tubular locks, a next day lock pick set from Amazon is $60, that's an enticing bit of entertainment for another day. What's the alternative, can I just drill this out with a cheapo Ozito drill that I have from Bunnings? I could replace it myself afterwards, that'd be the cheapest/instant method. Not sure if the drill bits available is thick enough to cover the entire diameter.

Help please, being an adult, well, evidently hardly, sucks balls sometimes.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • boomramada on 27/09/2023 - 08:14
    +6

    I'll call up strata this morning

    Report back after the call :)

    • HeWhoKnows on 28/09/2023 - 16:30

      Or just grab some pliers and use brut force to twist and pull the lock out

      But these locks are rather cheap and cheerful.
      Try using a neigbour's key because almost any key on the same blank unlocks them.

  • Muzeeb on 27/09/2023 - 08:18
    +13

    You logged into the wrong account Pam.

    • rokufan on 27/09/2023 - 20:47

      Pam? Please explain this meme?

  • Ocker on 27/09/2023 - 08:25
    -2

    Start drilling and let us know what the cops say when they arrive after it has been reported someone is trying to break into mail boxes at your complex

    • Clear on 27/09/2023 - 08:34
      +8

      You have a lot of faith in the neighbours and the police to actually show up. Very easy situation to get out of.

      • apsilon on 27/09/2023 - 09:26
        +7

        I have a mate who used to cycle everywhere. He lost his bike lock key while at the shops. After retracing his steps and checking with lost and found etc he gave up and went across the road to Bunnings and bought a hack saw and proceeded to spend an hour cutting through the lock right at the main entrance to the shopping centre. Despite people looking, no one said a thing including centre security nor did cops turn up. People DGAF as long as it's not their stuff.

        • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:39

          'THE' best way to steal dozens of bikes from anywhere.
          Just wear lycra and a helmet, walk around with a hacksaw and smile sheepishly at passers by, as you claim anothery.

          • Porker on 27/09/2023 - 09:51
            +1

            @Protractor: Literally saw something like this the other day…

            Guy was walking down the street with two bikes and from a distance looked like the 'movie-typical' bike courier, but when he came closer I saw he had very large bolt cutters attached to the hip bag and the bikes were not sized for him. Of course, they could have actually been his bikes..!!

            • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 10:17
              +1

              @Porker: It's ironic for many reasons. One is that the rubbish dumps and waste transfer stations & hard garbage are chokka with hardly ever used bikes.
              And secondly with the traffic and road rages on the road and the built in bike rider hate, who would want to to buy one off the back of a truck anyway.
              I guess if you have an unwanted bike, and don't want to pay a fee to dispose of it and can't be arsed selling it, buy a cheap lockup chain thingy and strap the bike to a pole near a shop.
              Poor old pushbikes, from hero to zero in no time flat.

              • Ridiculous Panda on 28/09/2023 - 11:19

                @Protractor: The last part doesn’t make sense. If I had a bike I wanted to get rid of, why would I spend money on a lock and then let a thief enjoy it?
                If you post it on marketplace for free, I am sure it will be gone in no time and probably to someone more decent than a thief.

    • cookie2 on 27/09/2023 - 22:42

      Are you suggesting give up on your letter box out of fear of having the cops incorrectly show up?

  • Rustin on 27/09/2023 - 08:25
    +18

    When I moved in to my current house, the previous owner did not leave a key for the letterbox. Did a bit of Googling and found the little code written on the lock means something, and that thing to a key person is all they need to send you a replacement. I ordered from this guy on ebay: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/142041021882 - it was $12.50 inc shipping back then - inflation outta control - $16.50 now.

    Needless to say, if you do order a key, get the key sent to a friendly neighbors letterbox or someone else given your own letterbox predicament….

    • minty on 27/09/2023 - 08:32
      +8

      Oooh, I'll check this out, never even noticed a code on the lock…

      And, haha, thank you for the reminder, my dumb ass would have put my address in the delivery, you're a hero.

    • Tsubasa on 27/09/2023 - 18:33

      I was wondering where to get a replacement key. Thanks 😊

    • GaryQ on 02/10/2023 - 22:19

      Or go to your friendly neighbourhood burgle Locksmith and get two keys cut. $20

  • minty on 27/09/2023 - 08:26
    +2

    You guys are the worst playground friends, none of you pricks are helping :P

    • boomramada on 27/09/2023 - 08:29
      +3

      Why, do you want us to hold your hand while making a phone call?

      • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:28
        +2

        Cops would arrest you. Minors are not for hand holding by strangers

  • Bourb on 27/09/2023 - 08:26
    +2

    Phone a Mobile Locksmith, they can open it in about 10 seconds!

  • newjerseydamo on 27/09/2023 - 08:34

    Have you not heard of a locksmith?

    • Muzeeb on 27/09/2023 - 08:36
      +1

      @pegaxs - are you free for a bit?

      • pegaxs on 27/09/2023 - 09:16
        +6

        LOL @ letter box keys. OP could open a letter box with a stick from the garden. Doesn't really take a locksmith to open them.

        Ironically, most letter box locks are master keyed. That's why most of these apartment complexes get their mail room raided, because the thieves have the master and the strata are to cheap and too lazy to get them changed.

        Plus whatever this user said. A decent locksmith should be able to cut one from code and on these letter box type locks, the code is on the lock itself.

    • minty on 27/09/2023 - 08:36

      Cost…

      • Nugs on 27/09/2023 - 08:43
        +1

        will cost a mint…
        .

  • pjetson on 27/09/2023 - 08:35
    +4

    can I just drill this out with a cheapo Ozito drill that I have from Bunnings

    Two alternatives:

    Don't drill out the lock. From your questions, you don't know anything about it, so you'll just end up costing yourself more. Just pay strata for a replacement key, they might even have a key "in stock".

    OR

    Please take a video when you drill out the lock.

    • djones145 on 27/09/2023 - 10:00
      +1

      nah mspaint

  • treekangagaroo on 27/09/2023 - 08:42
    +2

    May be what you need is a metal detector ?

  • jj8aus on 27/09/2023 - 08:57
    +1

    https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-a-Mailbox-Lock

    One of many many links and guides and videos to picking a letter box lock. Maybe one of them would help? Then once picked, change the lock?

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:49

      What magic did you use to find this adults only solution?

  • GordonD on 27/09/2023 - 09:02
    +1

    I would have thought that the obvious thing to do when you have a problem with a lock is to call a locksmith.

    • illogicalerror on 27/09/2023 - 12:28

      This is not the common sense forum, away with you!

    • cookie2 on 27/09/2023 - 22:46
      +1

      Not everyone needs a 3rd party to perform the service. When your grass grows and you need it mowed, do you call a gardener or mow it yourself? Same distinction.

  • AustriaBargain on 27/09/2023 - 09:02

    Put the replacement on your keyring and get an AirTag.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/09/2023 - 09:22
    +7

    Have you considered assembling a heist team

    Just need

    Good looking main character
    Impossibly hot female lead
    Wise cracking IT guy
    A getaway driver
    Traps and locks specialist
    The composer team who put together the pause music from Goldeneye game

    • BLAIL on 27/09/2023 - 09:51
      +3

      +1 for mentioning goldeneye

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/09/2023 - 10:09
        +4

        Management to sound team: hey we just need a quick piece for the pause music, this is just a movie tie in game so doesn’t have to be anything too crazy

        Sound team: hold my beer

    • boomramada on 27/09/2023 - 09:52

      These days you can get away with one impossibly hot nonbinary lead who also good in IT/driving and safe cracking.

  • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:23
    +1

    Nanu nanu to your people !
    Not so much your ball sucking tradition . But you do it well.

    On our planet we have locksmiths, google,money and in some distant ,remote isolated pockets of wilderness, 'common sense'.
    We used to have the ability to think for ourselves too, but are way down the ball sucking rabbit hole these days.

    PS Who doesn't have the smallest and quite important daily use key on the main keys collection on a keyring of some kind?
    Oh yeah it's in OPs title

  • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:52
    +2

    "phamlet"

    A baby pham?
    A probationary piglet?
    Vietnamese Shakespeare play?
    Small ramekin of my fave soup?

  • djones145 on 27/09/2023 - 09:59
    +5

    u could consider what homer simpson would do
    seal the letter box up
    flood with water
    letter floats out
    dry

    winning

    • holdenmg on 28/09/2023 - 05:34

      Referendum outcome hangs on a single ballot paper while Yes and No camps argue whether soggy Ballot paper says Yes, No or D'oh!

      • djones145 on 28/09/2023 - 08:13
        +1

        where it says vote yes or no
        homer writes
        OK

  • Some Human on 27/09/2023 - 10:03

    If it's on a keyring, you could get a piece of string and a magnet.

    Edit: apparently I can't read today. Disregard

  • pjetson on 27/09/2023 - 10:10

    you could get a piece of string and a magnet

    Most keys are non-magnetic.

  • bobbified on 27/09/2023 - 10:22

    Drill the existing lock and replace with a stock standard letterbox cam lock from Bunnings for $10.

    (Unless you're sure that the key is inside the mailbox, picking it might not help since you may not be able to get a replacement key for the tubular lock).

  • Porker on 27/09/2023 - 10:26

    Do you have experience with lockpicking? If not, then the $60 Amazon lock pick set may not be of use.

    Of your suggested options, my vote would be to drill the lock out.

    Keep us updated of what/if anything happens. I suspect you'd have the lock out and access to your letters in a few minutes, which would be well before any police come and/or other neighbours notice/intervene.

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 10:32

      OP deliberately lost the key cos Mummy & Daddy wouldn't let him buy the 'lock picking kit' for his Batman suit belt.
      Devious little bugger.

      • Porker on 27/09/2023 - 10:35

        Everyone is a product of their upbringing - mum and day should've known or done better. They only have themselves to blame :p

        • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 10:36

          Silk Purses, pigs ears and all that.

  • cupcake on 27/09/2023 - 10:38

    Why didn't you make copies of the key and put it on every spare key ring?

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 10:42
      -2

      Key ring?
      LOL
      Too advanced for OPs planet

    • Msfrugal on 28/09/2023 - 08:54
      -1

      Probably because they’re not the type of keys that are allowed to be copied

  • garetz on 27/09/2023 - 11:00

    Call a locksmith and get them to replace the tumbler which should come with new keys.

  • djsweet on 27/09/2023 - 11:14
    +2

    Don't drill the lock if its strata owned. It could be part of a mastered system. As others have mentioned, you can order a key if you know the code which could be on the lock itself. Otherwise a locksmith will have it open in a jiffy. Those tubular locks aren't exactly the beacon of security. With a bit of youtube you could probably get it open yourself with a sharp pointy thing and a makeshift tensioner (you don't need a fancy tubular pick, but it would be easier with one).

  • shaybisc on 27/09/2023 - 11:20
    +2

    What would the lock-picking lawyer say about this problem? It must be fairly easy. How do those crims who specialise in apartment letter boxes do it?

  • singlemalt72 on 27/09/2023 - 12:04

    Ideas;
    1. if the lock has a visible code (probably not, it will be on the side inside the box) take code to locksmith and get a key for 10 bucks or less

    1. Some locksmiths will come and open your lock and re-key it for a nominal fee.

    2. Airtasker?

    3. Drill it out - use about a 8mm drill bit. small center punch direct in the center of the lock then drill on a slow speed, this will drill through the lock and though the latch pin and nut, releasing the lock. Can help to ass a few drops of oil or cutting fluid as you drill. you will then need to remove the lock from the rear and buy a new lock. This could, however cause problems with building management for instance, you cause further damage and the entire door needs replacing.

    I would try management to see if they can replace and compare that price to a mobile locksmith.

    • minty on 27/09/2023 - 14:13
      +2

      Strata said it's owner belonging and also suggested that I look for a code, alas nothing is visible from front on.

      The locksmith was the last and least preferrable resort as I never use the mailbox otherwise and would just pay the fine for non-voting as it's cheaper than a locksmith…

      • singlemalt72 on 28/09/2023 - 09:42

        Drill it out then, less than 10 buck for a new lock.

  • Joejoeinc on 27/09/2023 - 12:22

    Time to test out and practice your lock-picking skills I reckon.. those letterbox locks are normally pretty easy to pick and then replace with a lock from bunnings.

  • salmon123 on 27/09/2023 - 14:37

    they've sent the referendum form for me to fill out and I need to do mine as well, god damn paper forms in 2023

    I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you can order another ballot form to another address

  • holdenmg on 28/09/2023 - 05:14

    This thread seems a very elaborate process to avoid voting yes or no.

  • Fuzzy Toaster on 28/09/2023 - 09:00

    They're very cheap locks, I bet you could bump or rake it very easily. Then you could presumably remove it once you have access to the back side?

    Or more sensibly, maybe the building has backups copies.

  • minty on 28/09/2023 - 09:49
    +3

    Alright all sorted! :D

    Rang a few locksmith and everyone was quoting me $150, on par with what I expected.

    Dabbled in conventional/padlocks from time to time but never picked a tubular one before and was getting a few pins but the homemade tension was shoddy so keeps slipping, tried for 10mins then it started pouring.

    Fast forward a few hours and 2 youtubes later, managed to drill it out in a few mins it was easy as. A cheapie drill bit looks to be the only casualty, all fingers and eyeballs still intact.

    Off to Bunnings in a few days to grab a replacement.

    You'll all have my 3 decision splitting votes in no time <3

    • pjetson on 28/09/2023 - 11:17

      managed to drill it out in a few mins it was easy as

      So, no video then?

      • minty on 28/09/2023 - 11:29

        My other hand was shielding my eyeballs from potential metal shards as I was too lazy to get safety glasses from my garage. In an alternative universe I could have easily blessed you with another post on hurting myself in the process.

      • Protractor on 28/09/2023 - 11:31

        TABtouch has it at 500/1

  • LFO on 28/09/2023 - 16:46
    +1

    A YouTuber " LockPickingLawyer or @lockpickinglawyer " shows how bloody easy it is without a key. 101 different ways to make the internal cylinder twist/rotate.

    Otherwise brute force bending the metal tab that holds the lid will probably work.

    EDIT:
    Oops, too late.
    Well done. Where there's a will, there's a way.
    Congratulations.

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