closet door locked-no key. now what?

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P

Pardus

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2000
8,197
21
81
me being a dumbass accidentally pushed the button in on a closet door and locked it, problem is i don't have a key for it, neither does the landlord.

didn't realize i even pushed the button in till it was too late.

do i hit it with a hammer and break the handle off or drill the tumbler or get a lock picking tool set and hope for the best.

i never used lock picking tools and couldn't find anything to unlock it at the local hardware store. if i break the handle, have to replace it at my cost..blah..blah..

looks something like this and the screws are on the inside, its an old lock put in long time ago and i have no idea why anyone would want to put a lock on a closet door.

i tried a barbie pin and paper clip, no good. any ideas?
replace-interior-door-knobs-800X800.jpg
 
A

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
7,490
0
0
These type of locks usually just lock the handle from turning. You should be able to do as advised above and just slide something thin and strong down the door frame with downward angle and you should be able to push the bolt back into the door, then pull open.
 
W

wischeez

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2004
1,721
0
76
Paper clip to rake across the pins, and a metal nail file to keep slight unlocking pressure
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Okay, so since its a closet door, a credit card won't work without some modifications... so find an old one...

cut the card into a U shape, slide it between the door and the frame... then spin it out ward so you can grab both sides, and pull the _ part of the U through the latch...
 
MagnusTheBrewer

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Are the hinges concealed? If so. drilling a small hole in the center of the knob will allow you to insert a stiff wire or icepick to push the button out on the other side. After having kids and bathroom doors with that kind of lock, all the different houses I've lived in have had the centers drilled.
 
A

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
7,490
0
0
MikeMike said:
Okay, so since its a closet door, a credit card won't work without some modifications... so find an old one...

cut the card into a U shape, slide it between the door and the frame... then spin it out ward so you can grab both sides, and pull the _ part of the U through the latch...
Click to expand...

A butter knife would work just as well if the gap is thick enough.

And why do people always say credit card? It can be any thin, strong piece of something.
 
B

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
Pick it, bump it, force it, drill it, remove the hinges, remove the jamb, its not that hard. I can be in that closet in less than an hour and any fix needed would take another 2 tops.
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
Alone said:
A butter knife would work just as well if the gap is thick enough.

And why do people always say credit card? It can be any thin, strong piece of something.
Click to expand...

because 99% of the time someone will have a credit card, or similar to it easily available...
 
JMapleton

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
2
81
Use a butterknife, it works better than a credit card.

And wash it when you're done, you don't want to eat off of a greasy and metal scraped knife.
 
Mo0o

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Can you take a picture of the lock itself. Is there a small hole in the center of the door knob?
 
K

Kreon

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2006
1,329
0
0
I had a problem like this at my grandmother's, except it was her bedroom. My grandfather had put an exterior door with an exterior lock on their bedroom. I have no idea why, likely what he could get for free.

Anyways, we tried the CC trick, but no luck. Tried a couple other things. Was gonna drill it out, but didn't have a good drill bit. I did have a sawzall and a brand new metal blade though :D.

I cut sideways on the thin part. I only cut the part you can see off (ie, I didn't cut an of the mechanism). I don't remember what I did after that. Possibly used a screwdriver to turn the mechanism from the inside of the lock?

Probably not the best first method, but it worked.

EDIT: Also, instead of a CC, I find old room keys from hotels work better. They're usually not as flimsy, but can still fit. Also, if you destroy that, no big deal (better off that way anyways).
 
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