Locksmiths
 

Okie dokie, on a train back from Durham on Sunday I managed to lose my housekeys. Bugger. I've got a spare set, but no garage keys, so can't get in to the SV.

Not a problem - my housemate was due back up from Bedford yesterday, called him and asked him to get me a new garage key cut when he got back up here. Not a problem says he.

Got a phonecall from when he's on his way back, and he says we've got a bit of a problem. His the rear pocket of his backpack has somehow come undone somewhere along his travels and he's lost a load of stuff from his bag. Including his housekeys.

So I called the lettings agent, sure thing, they say, we've got a spare set, £25 deposit and you can borrow them for a day or two to get new ones cut. My housemate goes and picks them up, but the local key-cutting place is closing by this time, so just goes home with them. I get back from work and ask for the keys so I can get into the garage, and lo and behold, the garage key that's been supplied doesn't fit.

Called them again today and asked if the landlord of the property has another set, and they said no - they have the main set of them. Excellent.

SO! I now have to get a locksmith out to get into me own garage. Anyone got any idea how much this is likely to cost? Or is anyone who's adept at picking yale locks local so I can get into the garage, check out the lock and maybe replace it myself?

Re: Locksmiths
 

is it the main garage door lock or is it a side door?

Re: Locksmiths
 

Could be worth giving a locksmith a call to find out what the protocol is and what sort of cost it's likely to incur? It might not be that bad... prolly cheaper than paying for any damage you make whilst trying to get in?

Re: Locksmiths
 

Just a thought, but a lot of older garages have a wooden panel at the very top. Our old garage had a wooden fascia. All it took was aclaw hammer to gently prise the panel away. Low and behold, we were able to quite simply just grab the cable and open the garage.

Luckily, the guy who did it was sensible enough to realise that nails holding the fascia in place would not be a great security measure.....as we had got inside in seconds. So proceeded to screw it back into position with many screws. These then had the heads ground down, thus making it secure again.

Just a thought.

Re: Locksmiths
 

Garage door is basically one of these:
http://www.garagedoorwarehouse.com/_...ian_Primed.jpg

Although the lock's a bit different. It's a 2 part lock - the barrel is just set into the door of the garage, and underneath that there's a plastic knob (teehee) that you turn to open it.

Re: Locksmiths
 

In that case, ignore my method, as don't believe its the same type of garage. IE, no removal fascia at the top.

Re: Locksmiths
 

well now it the perfect time to try the 'key bumping' i brought up in a previous thread lol.

Re: Locksmiths
 

Debating this already. Unfortunately the metal files needed to make a bump key are inside the garage... :rolleyes:

Re: Locksmiths
 

lol oh dear. Pop to b&q for on on your bi............. doh!

Re: Locksmiths
 

most locks can be picked quite easily and a new barrel fitted, use a small local firm not a big company as all they are interested in doing is to rip the old one out and change you a fortune.

Best of luck