Lock without a key

[RF Lighting]

A friend of mine has moved into her new house today, but unfortunatly she hasn't been supplied with a key for the front door.

The lock is a standard 5 lever 2 1/2" sash lock, and I wondered if anyone has an ingenius way of opening these.

I have access to both sides of the door.

The best method I can think of is to cut the locking part off with my 4" grinder with a thin metal cutting disc.

I really don't want to damage the door if it is at all avoidable

ta in advance.

 

[big-all]

yes you can either grind off the "bolt" or the top off the hinge pins if you can see them and slide the door sideways enough then move along to release the lock

 

[HandyHands]

If it's a BS rated sashlock (you'll see hardplate surrounding the key hole, and a silver or brass ring around where the key is inserted) - then you've no chance of opening it without some damage to the door or frame (that includes replacing hinges). Only damage free way is to call a locksmith who should have the decoders or picks to open this - should cost around £40ish to open if you use a locksmith who specialises in Non Destructive Entry (weigh this up against your time and the cost of materials to repair any damage). Take a look here for someone local to you http://www.theinstituteofcertifiedlocksmiths.org/members.htm.

If your intent on doing it yourself, the hinges will be the weakest part - unless the door has hinge bolts fitted into the door/frame. From the inside, run a feeler gauge up the hinge side of the door and see if you hit anything solid.

 

[JohnD]

one easy way would be to phone the previous owners.

 

[RF Lighting]

The house was previously a rental property, and the tennant did a bunk with a set of keys, so the locks need changing regardless. The landlord only had a backdoor key

 

[BoxBasher]

Surely this should have been raised when accepting the keys...

i would have insisted upon a full set of keys or the provision of a locksmith at vendors expense...

 

[markie]

A friend of mine has moved into her new house today, but unfortunatly she hasn't been supplied with a key for the front door.

The lock is a standard 5 lever 2 1/2" sash lock, and I wondered if anyone has an ingenius way of opening these.

I have access to both sides of the door.

The best method I can think of is to cut the locking part off with my 4" grinder with a thin metal cutting disc.

I really don't want to damage the door if it is at all avoidable

ta in advance.

TNT