Any suggestions for breaking a locked padlock off the gate

J

JP1234

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We have a superstrength padlock on our outdoor gate. Last week after I brought the bin in, I locked the padlock and the key promptly snapped, leaving the main part stuck in the lock. We have tried hammering and sawing but to no avail. We do have a spare key but can't get the broken bit out of the lock as it's too far in. The bolt on the gate is actually soldered on so it's not as if we could even just take the bolt off either. I have stripped all the rubber and plastic casing of the lock hoping there might be a way of unscrewing the lock but no, that would be too lucky!

Has anyone any ideas or is it time to call the locksmith?
 
Thanks for the quick reply - didn't think of that. I may give one of the tool hire places a call!
 
Try Aldi ... got a good pair there for less than a €10 .... a lot less than a tool hire company will charge you and you'll have the bolt cutters for future lock problems!
 
Will do, I was in there yesterday but it didn't occur to me to have a look at their tool section.
 
Get a lend of a grinders and grind off the locking piece. Alternative knock the gate down.
 
if you could borrow a mini-grinder that should do the trick. Even with a really big bolt cutters (the 1-2ft long ones) may not do the trick unless you've got arms like tree trunks!
If you check youtube you can see locksmith guys who try to break those locks, and in particular you can see how hard it is to break the hardened ones
 
Freeze it and try smashing it again. You can gets cans of freezing spray (for alumni credit card) from 'good' hardware suppliers.
 
JP1234 said:
...I locked the padlock and the key promptly snapped, leaving the main part stuck in the lock. Has anyone any ideas or is it time to call the locksmith?
Click to expand...

Try a very, very, very small drop of super glue on the broken key part that you have. Try to stick it back to the piece stuck in the lock?

Or...

Lots of 3in1 or WD40 into the key hole, and a good strong magnet may get the broken part far enough out to catch hold of it with a tweezers or pliers...

Or...

Paperclip type wire with a very, very small hook on the end. Slide it in along the uneven edge of the key. It may get enough purchase on the broken bit to slide it out enough to get a hold of it.

HTH
 
As previously suggested just hire a bolt cutter. My son's bike was locked once and we had to cut the padlock off. The bolt cutter did the job very easily. I hired it from Mr. Hire in Nutgrove, Rathfarnham - can't remember for how much, but because we were only renting it for an hour or so it wasn't bank breaking.
 
You need a grinder - a good one. It won't be that easy if it is a really good lock. When you say "superstrength ", I'm assuming its one of those that is chemical proof ?

I'll bet a thief would have some way of opening it - a lock will only keep out an honest man.
 
I've seen this problem lost of times and the solution is ALWAYS to shoot in its general direction with a handgun. Works first time, every time ;-)
 
clamp the lock , get a six mil bit and drill along the sheer line between the pins. When you get to the back of the lock remove the bit, fit a screwdriver to the hole and turn like a key.
 
With Crugers, DaveD, 25euronote and the rest of the posters you might be best to forget the lock and assemble a team for the real Italian job. I wonder is there anywhere you could hire a heap of Minis ??
 
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