Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by Pro Handyman Australia – Editorial Team
In urgent situations where you’ve lost your keys and alternative entry methods are not an option, knowing how to drill out a door lock can be invaluable. Although it’s typically a last resort due to the destruction of the lock mechanism, drilling allows you to regain access efficiently. This process involves two main steps: first, using a drill to create a guide hole and then enlarging this hole to disable the internal pins or tumblers. After successfully drilling, you can turn the lock mechanism directly, just like using a key. Below, we detail the quick steps and delve into the nuances of this approach.
Understanding the Implications of Drilling a Lock
It’s essential for users to recognize that drilling a lock is indeed a point of no return. This method destroys the lock, necessitating a complete replacement. Particularly, modern locks are designed to resist such invasive techniques, with features like anti-drill pins that make them even more challenging to penetrate. While this method is effective, it requires a new lock installation afterward, representing additional time and expense. Therefore, this approach is recommended only after exhausting all other possible solutions and confirming the unavailability of original or spare keys.
Alternatives to Drilling: Skillful Techniques to Try First
- Mastering the Art of Lock Picking: While challenging, picking a lock can be a successful strategy, particularly for less complex lock designs. Knowledge about the lock’s manufacturer and model can guide you to specific lock-picking tutorials online. Among various techniques, the raking method stands out due to its effectiveness and relative simplicity for beginners. Be aware of the legal implications, as possession of lockpicks is not permitted everywhere.
- The Efficiency of a Pick Gun: This tool momentarily dislodges all pins simultaneously, allowing a brief window to turn the cylinder with a tension wrench. However, its effectiveness is limited to pin-tumbler locks, and it doesn’t guarantee success with all lock types. Despite being a less costly alternative to professional locksmith services, the legality of possessing a pick gun, much like lockpicks, varies by location.
- Utilizing a Bump Key: Conceived by locksmiths, the bump key is a tool that can potentially unlock doors efficiently. By inserting the key so it stops just short of full entry and then tapping it with a hammer, you create a shockwave in the lock, causing the pins to jump and possibly align in a way that allows the lock to turn. This method requires persistence and may work after numerous attempts. Similar to lockpicks, the legal status of owning a bump key is dependent on state laws and regional regulations.
Video on Ways to Drill Open a Lock
Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn old lock on your shed or you’ve misplaced the key to a door in your home, there’s no need to panic. Our tutorial is here to assist!
In this video, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of lock drilling, demystifying the process for DIY enthusiasts and seasoned pros alike. Our expert host walks you through the entire process, providing insider tips and safety precautions to ensure a seamless experience.
Preparing for the Task: Steps and Essential Tools
Upon exhausting all other options and resolving to drill through your lock, it is crucial to undertake certain preparatory steps. Firstly, securing explicit permission from the property owner is essential to avoid any legal complications. Secondly, the immediate availability of a replacement lock is paramount to ensure the security of the premises post-drilling. The absence of a ready substitute would compromise the property’s safety, leaving it vulnerable due to the incapacitated lock.
To successfully drill through a lock, it is imperative to gather all necessary tools beforehand. Many of these items are standard components found in a typical toolbox, or they can be easily acquired at a nearby hardware store or borrowed from acquaintances.
Selecting the Appropriate Drill and Drill Bit
Utilizing a variable-speed power drill is advisable for its adjustable clutch, catering to a variety of bits, enhancing the drilling process’s adaptability. Drills come in several sizes, including ¼-inch, ⅜-inch, and ½-inch, with the appropriate size depending on the chosen drill bit.
When it comes to drill bits, the selection is crucial to avoid breakage. High-speed steel bits are suitable for drilling through metal. For softer metals, an HSS drill bit with a 118-degree point angle is optimal, while harder steel requires a 135-degree point angle. Specific drill bit sizes are necessary to effectively breach the lock cylinder, with a ⅛-inch bit for a smaller hole and a ¼-inch bit for a larger one.
Understanding the Role of a Flathead Screwdriver
The flathead screwdriver, recognizable by its wedged tip, is ideal for manipulating screws with straight, linear notches. Its primary function is to tighten or loosen screws, available in various sizes from ⅛-inch to ⅜-inch. The screwdriver must correspond to the lock size to ensure effective application, as an ill-fitting screwdriver complicates the process. This tool can also be instrumental in breaking an ignition lock if needed.
Employing a Center Punch and Hammer
A center punch is invaluable for establishing an indentation that guides the drilling process, preventing any deviation. A prick punch is preferable due to its sharper, narrower tip capable of creating a more profound indentation. To drive the punch, a ball-peen hammer, characterized by its dual domed and flat heads, is appropriate. This type of hammer can deliver the necessary force effectively, with a smaller size being sufficient for the task at hand.
Ensuring Eye Protection with Goggles
Safety should never be overlooked, especially protecting one’s eyes from potential hazards like metal filings or debris during drilling. Welding goggles are recommended for this task as they offer robust protection against heat and any flying metal debris. It’s crucial that the goggles fit well to prevent any distraction or discomfort during the operation, and they should provide adequate ventilation to maintain clarity of vision throughout the task.
Hands-On Experience with Top Drill Models
When it comes to practical, real-world application, nothing is more telling than the hands-on experiences of users who’ve tackled the challenge of drilling out a door lock. In the realm of power tools, especially drills, several models stand out for this task, as reported by DIY enthusiasts and professional locksmiths.
Take, for instance, the DEWALT 20V MAX XR. Users have lauded its exceptional power and precision, crucial for maintaining control when drilling through the tough metal of a lock. One user, a professional locksmith named John, shares, “I had a job involving a high-security deadbolt, the kind you dread seeing if you’ve got to drill. The DEWALT 20V MAX XR made it almost effortless. Its adjustable clutch helped prevent any wrist strain, which is common in this line of work.”
Similarly, the Makita 12V Max has received positive reviews, particularly for its battery longevity and ergonomic design. A weekend warrior, Amanda, recounts, “I was stuck outside my old garden shed for hours, trying to handle the rusty lock. The Makita 12V Max not only made quick work of the lock but also lasted through several other tasks around the house. It’s comfortable to hold, which made my first time drilling a lock less intimidating.”
These anecdotal experiences underscore the importance of selecting a reliable drill when facing the intricate process of drilling out a door lock. Quality, comfort, and power are the pillars that users frequently cite as their key considerations following their hands-on experiences.
In-Depth Comparisons of Hammer Drills for Door Lock Removal
Venturing beyond surface-level specifications, we delve into in-depth comparisons between leading drill models to discern their suitability for drilling out door locks. Several criteria come into play, including power output, durability, user-friendliness, and, of course, cost-effectiveness.
In a side-by-side comparison, the Bosch Professional GSR 12V-35 HX stands out for its raw power and high RPM capabilities, crucial for breezing through hardened steel locks. However, the Worx WX101L.9 20V Power Share tops it in terms of durability and robust construction, designed to endure the rigors of repetitive, heavy-duty tasks.
| Model | Power Output | Longevity | Price | User-Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Professional GSR 12V-35 HX | 9/10 | 7/10 | $$$$ | 8/10 |
| Worx WX101L.9 20V Power Share | 7/10 | 9/10 | $$$ | 7/10 |
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR | 8/10 | 8/10 | $$$ | 9/10 |
| Makita 12V Max | 6/10 | 8/10 | $$ | 10/10 |
These in-depth comparisons reveal the subtle trade-offs between models, assisting potential buyers in making informed decisions based on their specific needs, whether for a one-time job or long-term professional use.
Drilling Out a Lock: Step-by-Step Guide
Assessing the Lock’s Compatibility with Drilling
Before commencing the drilling process, it’s paramount to determine whether your lock is drill-compatible. Locks with a hardened steel center pin or a ball bearing middle pin thwart drilling attempts. Thus, consulting the lock manual to understand its components is prudent. Furthermore, ensure no ancillary mechanisms, like alarms, could impede the drilling. If an alarm system is present, disabling it is advisable to avoid causing undue alarm or suspicion among neighbors.
Positioning the Center Punch for Accuracy
Initiating the drilling process requires creating a guide point with a center punch. Position it above the keyhole, ensuring it is placed just below the lock’s shear line, the area separating the inner and outer cylinder. This strategic positioning is critical to successfully navigate through the pin tumblers during drilling. If pinpointing the exact drilling location proves challenging, a lock-drilling template, available at most hardware stores, can simplify this step.
Comprehensive Drilling Process
Proceed by drilling through the lock cylinder to dismantle the internal pins. As the drill bit encounters each pin, expect some resistance. Although most locks contain five tumblers, some feature six or more. Should the drill become obstructed by metal filings, reversing and extracting it will help clear the debris. It’s essential to maintain a steady, controlled pressure to avoid breaking the drill bit and occasionally halt to apply oil or water for lubrication, particularly when drilling through resistant pins.
Once the initial hole is established, it’s time to escalate the operation by switching to a larger drill bit, such as a ¼-inch size, to demolish more pins, thereby enabling you to unlock the mechanism successfully. After enlarging the hole, you are ready to advance to the concluding phase
Manipulating the Lock with a Screwdriver
Replicating the function of a key, insert a flat-headed screwdriver into the newly created aperture and rotate it. A successful drilling procedure will allow the screwdriver to turn effortlessly and unlock the door. If the lock remains static, it indicates the necessity to destroy the entire lock cylinder. Accomplish this by opting for an even larger drill bit, tailored for tubular locks if applicable, and proceed to drill through the entire mechanism.
Conclusion
The meticulous journey of drilling through a lock underscores the importance of precision, patience, and adherence to safety precautions. It necessitates a strategic approach, from assessing the lock’s drillability to the careful escalation of drilling intensity, and finally, the potential complete dismantling of the lock mechanism. This procedure, while intricate, can be invaluable in circumstances necessitating urgent access. However, it’s a method that should be reserved for scenarios where alternative, non-destructive means have been exhausted. Always consider the ramifications of such an invasive approach and, when in doubt, consult with or hire professional services like Perth Handyman Services to ensure a secure and effective resolution. Their expertise can provide the reassurance and quality workmanship necessary in such delicate situations.