If you find yourself in a bit of a pickle with a broken key you might be tempted to reach for some super glue as a quick fix and while that is an option it’s important to consider a few things before you do so.
Here are some points to consider:
Temporary Fix
If the key has broken cleanly and the pieces fit together well super glue can temporarily hold the key together but as it might allow you to temporary unlock the door or to use it at the moment of an emergency it is not recommended to keep on use it in the long term.
Precision Required
When super gluing a broken key it is important to align the pieces precisely as any misalignment could make the key unusable or even damage the lock.
Strength Limitations
Super glue is not designed to withstand the force applied to a key when turning a lock and the glued key is likely to break again and even worse it can break inside the lock which can lead to more serious problems.
Lock Damage Risk
If the key breaks inside the lock it can be challenging to remove and may damage the lock which will result in more costly repairs or the need for a lock replacement.
Professional Help
If you’ll ask any emergency locksmith he will tell you that the best course of action is to have a new key cut and not only it is more reliable but also wont risk damaging your lock.
What do I do if a glued key breaks inside my lock?
If a glued key breaks inside a lock it’s important to approach the situation calmly and methodically and follow these steps:
- Avoid using force to extract the broken piece as this can do more damage to the lock
- Try using needle nose pliers or a key extractor tool if you have one and gently pull out the broken pieces.
- If the broken pieces is too deep applying a lubricant like graphite powder or a silicone based lubricant can help ease the extraction process.
- If all these DIY methods fail it is highly recommended to call a professional locksmith.
Can Professional Locksmiths Successfully Copy a Glued Key?
If a glued key is your only key left copying it can be challenging but it’s not impossible as the success largely depends on the quality of the glue job and whether the shape of the key originally was good.
A professional locksmith is your best bet in this situation as they have special tools, expertise and knowledge to accurately read and replicate the key profile even if it’s been glued together.
It’s important to be prepared for the possibility that the lock might required a lock rekey if a the glued key is missing some grooves and cannot be duplicate accurately .
