Lost shed key. Now what?

Flashpoint

Flashpoint

Smile, wait for flash
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I have lost the key to my garden shed that happens to have my targets, chrono, and assorted shooting accessories that is at my land where I shoot, so I've been waiting for it to turn up but I've decided I've waited long enough.

I could take the hinge off the door and get inside but I still wouldn't be able to unlock the door. Anyone know how to get a replacement key for one of these things or is it locksmith time? I've already asked at Lowes/HD (can't remember which one) but they weren't much help.

Just FYI, not worried about any members here but this is the internet after all: I keep nothing in there of any value more than what I've already stated. No guns, no ammo, but you're welcome to the full trash can that hasn't been emptied in 2 years and the accompanying mess of molding bottles, etc.


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The cost of a locksmith will likely exceed the cost of the lock. Drill it and buy a replacement. And put the spare key away.
 
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Take an axe to the area around the handle. Problem solved.
 
Yeah should be able to just plug the lock number into ebay searchbar. I just bought two for my toolbox for $9.
 
Go to any of your local shed sellers and they'll 99% have that key in stock. Of course they'll all be closed until Tuesday.
Plan B- hammer a flathead screwdriver in there to defeat the tumbler. Go to the Lowes that has no answers and buy a good lock hasp and one of those brass outdoor combination locks, install, and forget about keys.
 
Those are very easy locks to pick, even for a novice.

Get a paperclip, bend it to make a rake, put a little turning tension on the cylinder and rake the pins.

Then either replace the latch or order another key.
 
People may roll their eyes at the lock picking advice, but lock picking most locks isn't that difficult. And lock pick sets are cheap. A good (and fun) skill to have.

We couldn't find the key to the barn padlock one day, and my wife was a bit upset. I walked out with my lock pick set, spent a couple minutes picking the lock, then brought in whatever it was she needed.

"How did you get into the barn?"

*held up my small lock pick set* "Picked the lock. It's not a difficult padlock to pick."

Found the key a couple days later.
 
As has been said those are easy locks and I can probably pick that no problems, I've got all the tools. Where are you in relation to Kernersville?
 
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RetiredUSNChief said:
People may roll their eyes at the lock picking advice, but lock picking most locks isn't that difficult. And lock pick sets are cheap. A good (and fun) skill to have.

We couldn't find the key to the barn padlock one day, and my wife was a bit upset. I walked out with my lock pick set, spent a couple minutes picking the lock, then brought in whatever it was she needed.

"How did you get into the barn?"

*held up my small lock pick set* "Picked the lock. It's not a difficult padlock to pick."

Found the key a couple days later.
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Padlocks you can shim. ;)

Northern Tool used to sell a cute little pen style S rake and tension tool. Don't know if they're still available in the stores. Need to buy a nice set somewhere.
 
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Be careful buying or carrying a pick set, unless you are licensed, or can prove lawful use they can be considered a burglary tool by LEO......
 
I use old hacksaw blades. I grind one end to resemble a key and then break the blade in half, making it short enough to store easily but long enough to apply the turning tension.

I keep these at work so I can help open toolboxes when people leave their keys at home.
 
Bailey Boat said:
Be careful buying or carrying a pick set, unless you are licensed, or can prove lawful use they can be considered a burglary tool by LEO......
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Unless possession without a locksmith's license is illegal in your state, the poluce can go eff themselves.

That said, check your state laws on the matter.

SC requires the law show intent to commit a criminal act. Mere possession is not sufficient.

NC requires a person to be licensed to perform locksmithing work...which would mean, with regards to this thread, picking someone else's locks for money. Mere possession is not sufficient...nor is the picking of one's own locks.

There are actually only a small handful of states where mere possession is illegal.
 
Shimming padlocks isn't as easy as it's made out to be, unless it's a cheaper padlock.

Hacksaw blades make for some excellent picking tools, but are a bit on the thick side for a lot of locks. They make excellent broken key extractors, too.
 
A friend and coworker of mine had locked himself out of his mother's Nissan SUV. We were working 3rd shift and he was letting the car warm up that morning while he smoked a cigarette. When he was ready to get back in the vehicle, the door was locked.

When I saw him out there, I asked him what was up. He was locked out and had to call his mom to ask her to bring the spare key. It would be at least 45 minutes before she would get there. I asked him to let me try to open the door. I used the key to my 1994 Ford Ranger and using the wiggle method, popped the door open in about two seconds.

That was just dumb luck on my part, but he was so impressed, he became locksmith and began a field services business in NC. :D
 
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RetiredUSNChief said:
Shimming padlocks isn't as easy as it's made out to be, unless it's a cheaper padlock.

Hacksaw blades make for some excellent picking tools, but are a bit on the thick side for a lot of locks. They make excellent broken key extractors, too.
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Granted, newer higher security locks leave less space for a shim, but I've had pretty good luck with many of the average locks I've run across. Reminds me that I was looking to repurpose a couple of combination locks for my trailer and looked to see if they had any glaring weakness on the web. Apparently they have a bad rep for being able to shim into the thumbwheel area. But, when I went to test the flaw and practice the skill, I couldn't get any kind of shim in there.
Old hacksaw blades are handy tools and materials. Pulled many a door latch with them. A precut piece of thicker LDPE is handy as well. ;)
 
Guys guys! He just wants to get into his shed, I don't think he really cares about how to legally become a locksmith on the eastern seaboard along with investing in or inventing specialty tools and 65 hours of training on how to use them.
@Flashpoint...see post #13 and move on with life.
 
Friday said:
Guys guys! He just wants to get into his shed, I don't think he really cares about how to legally become a locksmith on the eastern seaboard along with investing in or inventing specialty tools and 65 hours of training on how to use them.
@Flashpoint...see post #13 and move on with life.
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It must not be raining in the mountains. Lol...
 
kcult said:
It must not be raining in the mountains. Lol...
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I think we've gotten 75" in 2 days.
We are getting tore to hell..rockslides, mudslides, flash floods, roads gone, bridges gone...Polk county state of emergency, evacuations, shelters open.
 
Friday said:
I think we've gotten 75" in 2 days.
We are getting tore to hell..rockslides, mudslides, flash floods, roads gone, bridges gone...Polk county state of emergency, evacuations, shelters open.
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@Friday Anything we can do help?? All ya gotta do is say the word.. Have truck/chainsaw/strong back/weak mind, will travel...
 
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Bailey Boat said:
@Friday Anything we can do help?? All ya gotta do is say the word.. Have truck/chainsaw/strong back/weak mind, will travel...
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God love ya....no my lot/house is a good spot compared to most..pretty good drainage... I'm on a knoll of sorts and close to the top of the mountain. I'm in a bunch of trees though...60' white pines. If the wind stays calm I'll be ok. The folks in the valley's and by the rivers and creeks are really getting hammered.
 
Friday said:
God love ya....no my lot/house is a good spot compared to most..pretty good drainage... I'm on a knoll of sorts and close to the top of the mountain. I'm in a bunch of trees though...60' white pines. If the wind stays calm I'll be ok. The folks in the valley's and by the rivers and creeks are really getting hammered.
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If the situation escalates and you need something just holler.....
 
Guys guys! He just wants to get into his shed, I don't think he really cares about how much rain we've gotten in the Southeast along with learning about knolls and drainage or 60 foot white pines and what happens when the wind blows.
@Flashpoint...see post #13 and move on with life.

:p
 
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