When the lock is jammed, the best way to unlock the door is lock drilling. For a Sunday handyman, it is preferable to call on a professional.

Deadbolt, strike plate, lock cylinder or European cylinder, barrel and pins, many terms are associated with the lock system. A novice can easily get lost.

However, if you have the lock drilling equipment and some technical knowledge, you can very well handle it yourself.

To achieve better results, some steps must be followed. Before going into details, it is appropriate to first determine the drill bit useful for drilling lock with drill.

What type of drill bit to use for drilling a lock?

No matter the type of lock cylinder or the lock drilling templates, it is necessary to equip yourself with a good drill bit that guarantees the effectiveness of the work.

In general, specialists like Blondeau locksmith Ferney recommend using a 3 mm drill bit.

Otherwise, a 4.5 mm drill bit or another of roughly the same diameter can also do the job. The important thing is that it is small in size so it can easily pass through the system.

Before drilling the lock cylinder, it is advised to first examine the type of device. When it is a tubular lock, lock drilling is ineffective.

The same goes for mechanisms composed of ball bearings inside the central piston. In these cases, you must find another picking solution.

On the other hand, if you are sure you have a lock with standard pins, you can confidently attack the lock cylinder with the lock drilling equipment.

How to drill a lock hole?

The first phase consists of applying the lock drilling template. When the mechanism is sold with paper lock drilling templates, it greatly simplifies marking the points to drill. They are temporarily fixed to the areas where the lock will be installed.

After placing the lock drilling template against the door, hold it with a piece of adhesive tape. Then place the faceplate template on the door frame. As with the previously explained method, attach it with adhesive tape.

Now place the strike plate drilling template against the door frame. To fix it, also use a piece of adhesive tape.

Having done this, the next step is to drill the lock with a drill. It should be emphasized that the choice of drill bit is of paramount importance.

If you are working on a PVC or wooden door, it is recommended to use a wood drill bit. Also, a pair of wood chisels and mallet is part of the very commonly used lock drilling equipment.

That said, it is time to insert the drill bit into the drill using a key provided at purchase. Drill the insertion holes for the device. Using the wood chisels and mallet, adjust the opening so that it can accommodate the lock mechanism without obstruction.

To ensure the inclusion of the faceplate, make holes with the wood chisel and mallet and hollow out up to 5 mm. Then change the drill bit. Drill holes for the handle spindle location. Continue drilling holes with appropriate drill bits.

How to open a lock when the key is lost?

Even if you claim to be careful, losing a key happens when you least expect it. Fortunately, there are many solutions to solve this problem.

Whether it is a mailbox lock or an entrance door, resorting to the drilling technique always yields satisfactory results.

Method used	Description	Difficulty level	Potential risks
Rigid card (like a bank card)	Insert a card between the latch and the frame to push back the lock	Easy	Not very effective on modern locks
Lock picking (paperclip, pin)	Manipulate the pins inside the lock precisely	Medium to difficult	May damage the lock
Flat screwdriver or Allen key	Leverage or turn the mechanism like a key	Medium	Risk of breakage or jamming
Drilling the cylinder	Drill the barrel to destroy the pins and remove it	Difficult	Destruction of the cylinder, replacement necessary
Adjustable pliers	Break the barrel by moving it until it breaks	Medium	Requires strength and replacement
Calling a locksmith	Professional intervention with appropriate tools	Easy (for you)	Higher cost but no damage

To carry it out successfully, it is necessary to equip yourself with a device designed for this purpose. A cordless drill is the most recommended by professionals such as Blondeau Locksmith Ferney.

To unlock the door, you need to drill the lock by destroying the pins. The goal is to force the opening. Once this step is done, you just have to use a flat screwdriver to turn the barrel.

If you do not have a drill, a hammer can help you force open a door without a key. For this, simply hit the lock cylinder very hard.

This allows you to break it and then easily unlock the door. It should be noted that this method can cause serious damage.

Alternatively, you can apply lock picking techniques. Using a pick and a hairpin is the most classic solution. But this trick is only effective for an ordinary lock or a padlocked door.

Many people also use bank cards or loyalty cards. This method, however, is only suitable for a spring lock.

To succeed, slide the object over the latch and keep shaking it. It should be noted that the pressure can break the card and this will only cause you another problem. The use of a drill is therefore strongly recommended.

How to open a lock without a key using a drill?

This operation requires good handling of the device. If you are not used to it, we suggest you consult our article entitled: how to use a drill?

For the work to be quick but of good quality, it is advisable to favor a drill with adjustable speed. Powerful, it is not only practical to handle but also helps you effectively break the locking system.

Choose the right drill bit sizes carefully. Usually, you start with a 3 mm drill bit.

With a hammer and center punch, make a pilot hole above the area where you insert the key. This step allows you to easily hold the central shaft drill bit.

Referring to the guiding point, now drill a hole through the lock cylinder. This operation is used to destroy the pins that facilitate forcing the lock.

When the drill bit comes into contact with the pins, there is some resistance. But this decreases as the bit pierces through them.

During lock drilling, the drill may get stuck. Do not hesitate to engage the unscrewing mode. It is strongly recommended to drill slowly.

Some people make the mistake of pressing too hard to go too fast. However, this risks breaking or jamming the drill bit.

While drilling, remember to keep the device straight. You can stop at any time to lubricate the bit. Sometimes, it has difficulty piercing the pins.

Drilling a Security Lock

To prevent burglary, you have chosen a security lock that is both reliable and effective. At some point, you may find yourself locked out due to a lost or broken key.

You have already tried quite a few tricks, but in the end, you cannot open the door.

The level of difficulty depends on the category of the lock. There are a number of devices on the market with different security levels. In general, the technique of drilling the lock cylinder works on almost all systems.

For a European cylinder with a flat key type, you can drill below the mechanism which sometimes consists of 5 pins. Therefore, there are 5 levels of resistance during lock drilling.

Drilling a quality European cylinder must be done gently to avoid causing damage.

In any case, there is nothing better than calling on technicians like Blondeau Locksmith Ferney. With their knowledge and experience, they will find solutions for every type of security lock.

How to Force a Lock with a Screwdriver?

• Using the screwdriver: For one reason or another, your door cannot be opened. Before calling a locksmith, why not try some methods to force the lock. Just like with the lock drilling equipment, using a screwdriver can prove effective.
• Removing the plate: If you have a classic lock equipped with a protective plate, you can unlock it by removing the plate.
• Breaking the lock: To start, unscrew the plate. Then break the lock with a hammer and a screwdriver. Since it is damaged, you will have to replace it for good.
• Unlocking with the button: For a door equipped with an opening button, a screwdriver is also very useful to unlock it. Here, the goal is to insert a flat screwdriver into the cylinder and then make circular movements. This helps you unlock the opening system.
• Handling precaution: When you move its components like this, you must act delicately, otherwise you risk breaking the mechanism.
• Door removal: If you are looking for a radical solution, you can opt for removing the door. Again using a screwdriver, remove all the hinges. They serve to hold it on the frame.
• Cylinder removal: By pulling the cylinder out of the hinges, you will be able to easily free the door. The latter remains intact and you can use it again. However, the frame must be replaced.

Drilling a 3-point lock

This device is made up of reinforced metals of different thicknesses. Thanks to this finish, it provides optimal protection.

However, its resistance becomes problematic at a certain point when the lock cylinder is jammed. To open it, the use of a powerful electric drill is recommended.

As with any type of lock, you must start by choosing the right drill bit. Then drill holes in the cylinder to facilitate the insertion of the bit.

To break the pins, drilling must be done gently to avoid damaging the mechanism or the bit. As you drill, you break more pins and will eventually open the lock.

Besides lock drilling, there are other effective solutions to open a door with a 3-point lock. The lock picking system is one of them. You just need to use specific tools to perform the rotation.

This movement allows the lock to be unlocked. Unlike other opening techniques, it does not destroy the mechanism.

As for the by-pass method, it is particularly suitable for slammed doors. It requires the use of a medical X-ray film which will be inserted between the frame and the door.

Like the previously mentioned solution, it does not damage the lock cylinder.

Drilling a mailbox lock

You have an important package in your mailbox, but its original key is lost. To retrieve it, you no longer know what to do.

Don’t panic, we can offer you several different tips and tricks. If the box is on a collective battery, a PTT key can open it without any problem.

If you are looking for a quick method, consider drilling the lock cylinder. Use quality lock drilling equipment to help you achieve flawless work.

Professionals use a variable speed drill and metal drill bits to facilitate access to your mailbox.

Which drill bit to use for drilling a lock?

Many different drill bits are available on the market. Each is intended for a very specific application. Standard metal drill bits are suitable, for example, for aluminum and copper.

But when it comes to hard metal like stainless steel, you need titanium carbide or cobalt drill bits as well as chrome vanadium.

To drill a lock cylinder, almost all specialists use a 3 mm bit. This one is perfect when you start lock drilling. It must be small in size to facilitate its insertion into the lock.

To continue drilling, the use of another 6 mm drill bit is necessary. It is ideal for breaking more pins and finally opening the lock.

How to drill a Vachette lock?

When a Vachette lock gets stuck, some people trust their credit card to open it. This technique requires a particular skill, otherwise, you might break the object.

For a door equipped with a handle with a button, a screwdriver works wonders to unlock it. You just have to insert it deeply inside the hole.

Keep turning it until it enters a slot and triggers the unlocking of the system.

Besides that, the radio technique also promises good results. For this, insert the tool between the latch and the door frame, then vibrate the door. If it refuses to pass, give small kicks.

Breaking a lock with a hammer

You have already tried almost all lock unlocking techniques. A credit card, a screwdriver, a hairpin, and many other objects, none give you any concrete result. In this case, do not hesitate to use a hammer.

Before giving you details, it is appropriate to remind you that this method causes destruction of the lock. So be sure to plan for another device to replace it.

Nothing is simpler than breaking the lock with a hammer. To achieve this, you deliver violent and sharp blows to the handle. Once you make it fall, you easily open the door with the gaping hole you created.

How to drill a garage door lock?

You cannot open your garage door due to countless situations. If it is automatic type, you can simply pull the manual unlocking cord.

Also, using a credit card is not only effective for unlocking an entrance door but also a garage door.

If these solutions do not work, do not hesitate to drill the lock cylinder. To start, use a slightly larger drill bit. Then drill the core of the device.

Do not stop drilling the lock and increase the drill bit size. When you get a sufficiently large hole, now insert a flat screwdriver into the cylinder and turn. By following these steps, you will finally have access inside your garage.