Not quite a construction technique but. . .
So a tenant has vacated an apartment, with no sign of where she has gone, and I can now legally enter.
The front door has three deadbolts, which I do not have keys to.
What is the best way to drill out these deadbolts (typical Schlage and Quikset variety) so I can unlock them and enter. Or am I better off breaking a window and getting in from there.
Thanks in advance,
Tark
Replies
Check out No Country for Old Men. Bad guy in the movie has one of those air-operated "bolt guns" that's used for killing cattle.
He pops out several deadbolts with it during the movie.
Forrest - trying to help
I saw an "expose" on a news show about another technique for opening a standard lock. You get a key that slips in the lock, and grind it down so it does not raise any pins.
You then put it in the lock, hold a slight turning pressure, and start banging on the door near the lock. The pins bounce, and one or more will start to "jam". Soon enough all the pins will have caught and you can open the door.
I saw a person open a door in about 30 seconds that way--at least that was what the show showed.
Not exactly. A "bump key" is filed so that the key will lift the pins only minimally, and the stop on the key (that keeps it from going too far into the lock) is filed back a smidge. The key is inserted into the lock and struck sharply, driving it into the lock just that last little bit, while applying a twisting torque. That "bump" makes the pins jump as the key moves past them, and the twisting motion engages them in the "unlocked" position.
Do a Google on "bump key". Then forget sleeping when you see how easy it is to open your front door! ;-)
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Well, I didn't really want to give away ALL of the secrets now.
(grin)
I will not admit in public that I depended on my [im]perfect memory.
Uh....this is the JLC forum isn't it?
Doing a google search on "bump key" should be educational...
The dog, of course, at least he'll shut up after you let him in
There are several things you can do. One is drill out the cylinder and then use a large screwdrive to release the deadbolt. This may take some tinkering.
Another way is to take adavantage of essentialy the cheap design of today's door locks - much of the mechanism sits "proud" of the door (as opposed to a true full mortise deadbolt where everything is housed in a lock mortise in the door jamb). You can use a recip saw with a good metal blade to saw the entire lock off exposing the bolt mechanism.
Or you can check with some "friendly" firefighters - some (but not all) have a large fork-shaped tool which just shears off the "proud" mechanism on the dorr surface.
Good Luck!
To drill a lock, get a smallish bit, say 1/4", and drill through the lock face, just to the side of where the key slot is -- the side of the slot where the edge of the key with the "bumps" goes. That will drill through the lock's pins, and you can then turn the lock with a screwdriver and open the door. (You may need to re-drill a few times until all the pin jetsom is cleared.)
This, of course, destroys the lock. But they're cheap and easy enough to replace.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks to everyone. I checked out the video's on bump keys, which is pretty cool and scary.Since I ave three deadbolts, I was thinking that perhaps drilling them would be best. Some of these deadbolts are pretty old and not certain just how well they will work with a working key much less a bump key.that said, it appears that drilling above the key slot and taking out the "bumps" might be the best way. Is there anything to be said to drill into the face of the lock where the screw holes would normally reside and getting the lock to release in that manner?
as a landlord that gets into this pretty frequently. if these are deadbolts your had.look around for the easist pc of glass to replace,right below the window lock,give it a small tap,not hard you'll have glass everywhere, go in remove the screws and replace.
now put in you lease that no locks are to be changed,yea i know the real pia's will still change but at least you can chew on them when they do.
oh, get on ebay look for lockdiscounters,and buy a bunch of new kwikset locks,the price will shock you,doorknobs 5.00 deadbolts 7.00 then look for a kwikset rekeying set,cost about 35.00 and learn to rekey.saves me untold time and money.larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Tark. I'm a retired locksmith with years of experience, I would never give out such information on a forum such as Breaktime. I hope most others on Fine Homebuilding forums can appreciate the mischief some posters have created.
If anyone reading those postings attempts to follow the advice given, and commits a larceny as a result, Fine Homebuilding will be wide open for a lawsuit. My advice to Tark is to delete his posting before opening a large can of worms.
Call a licenced locksmith(Or, break the stupid window)
Note :this reply from me is only to you and will not be posted Steinmetz
Wanna' bet?
Forrest
I definitely hope my wife does not see those videos.
What a load of nonsense. Google Bomb Making to gain some perspective.
ever think of actually calling a locksmith?
too easy?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Hey. remind me when I get more time to tell you about my debut as a safe cracker a couple of week ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw
I would go for a window and you might be able to get one open without breaking it. Are you sure they are all locked? If you do, get one that is easy/cheap to fix.
Just drill in the center where the key fits. Your going to "rekey" anyway. what if the locks are keyed both sides? You still got to drill and fix the window!
even if they are keyed on both sides,once on the inside all you have to do is remove the 2 screws and push the locks out of the door.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Sometimes, watch out for the tamper free screws! Besides I would avoid busting a window as the lock is easier to replace than new glass. What with painting, chipping out the old, etc. What if double glazed? Are ladders involved?
"So a tenant has vacated an apartment, with no sign of where she has gone, and I can now legally enter."
You don't know where she is?
What if she's inside, dead?
yer right.
he should wait to see if she comes back from the dead first ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Dang straight !!It's easier to shoot them zombies in the head, when they are still trapped in the house.
Trying to reason with someone who just wants to argue or insult, is not a reasonable pursuit.
Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern
Before anyone goes off thinking I'm doing anything illegal. . . The tenant has been evicted in a court of law and has taken off and is nowhere to be found. I'm meeting the Sheriff out there next week, so they can give me actual possession. If they knock on the door and no one answers (which will be the case), they let me have at it until I have gain entrance, whereby they conduct their walk-through to ensure no one is in the place, and then hand possession over to me. The sheriff (and I checked on this) does not care how I gain entrance, just as long as I do and do so relatively quickly.Yes, I could break a window (which might be the easiest/cheapest solution), or drill out the locks myself, or just call a locksmith. And, darn straight that I'll be changing the locks, so saving the existing locks is irrelevant. So, I'm just trying to think of the quickest way to to get in, so I don't keep the sheriff waiting and breathing down my neck. . .I don't plan on creating a bump key, but would rather drill out these locks if it would be easier then breaking a window. I just wanted the best technique as to drilling out a lock. Anyone???
I bet if you drill out enough meat to get the bottom stop for the pins they will just fall out. I would use a 3/16 or 1/4" drill right where the dimple is that guides the key in.
Drill just above the key slot, the drill will destroy the pins as it goes in.
I Know her..........she left a key under the front door mat.
I've drilled a couple of locks. Basicly you have to get the core out of there so the pins fall out. Pretty cut and dry. Bring a set of drill bits and have at it. Don't over think it.
It would be hilarious if you go through all that and the key is under the mat. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw
You could do like Tim Mooney.Get a metal cutting blad that will fit your angle grinder. A blade that is cupped in the center only, so you can get a flush cut.Then just cut the locks off.I would cut just proud of the face of the door.
Trying to reason with someone who just wants to argue or insult, is not a reasonable pursuit.
Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern
Fastest: Call a locksmith and let him/her do the bump key. That's where I saw it when I went in to ask about new locks. The person might be shy about doing it in front of the sherriff, so you might ask the sherriff to take a stroll around back with you to look for open windows while it is being done.
Let the sheriff shoot them off! He'd probably love it!Just let any other tenants know whats going on.:)Brudoggie
I'm only going to show you once so pay attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBex3WWHWbw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw
I've been a landlord for 35 years and have been locked out of more units than I can count. With 3 locks the easy answer that will save you the most money is to call a locksmith. Trying to cut the lock off with a recip will ruin the door, trying to pry the lock off will also ruin the door. Drilling out the lock so that you clean out the pins is much harder than it sounds and some locks have case hardened parts inside that will snap your bits. Repairing any broken window will waste more of your time and money. Around here having a locksmith pick 3 locks would cost maybe $75.00 bucks.