If your lock is stuck and now you are unable to enter then we have some easy steps that can make your work easier. You can follow these steps to drill out a tubular lock. But, be safe and slow while drilling out because drills can be dangerous if not handled carefully.
Steps To Take Out A Tubular Lock
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A tubular lock could easily be drilled out. With the proper equipment and some patience and time, this is an easy task at hand, just like drilling a lock cylinder. One has to drill at the right point precisely with the right drill head. Therefore, one must know which tools to use.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Step 1: Prepare your power drill and 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch drill bits
First, get the power drill and fix the required drill bit onto it. Check whether the drill is functioning properly.
Step 2: Wrap the drill bit with masking tape
Then using a ruler mark a ¼ inch point on the drill bit and put the masking tape in that area. This should certainly be done if the lock is fixed to a vending machine. At a depth of ¼ inch, minimum damage would be done to the other parts involved.
Step 3: Use the smaller drill bit to bore a hole to the centre of the lock
Using a smaller drill bit (1/8 inch) one must drill a small hole at the centre of the lock. This hole should be ¼ inch deep which will serve as the starting whole for the process.
Step 4: Use a larger drill to bore a second hole to the first one that was done
Then using a ¼ inch drill bit bore into the initial hole. The second hole should also be ¼ inch deep. In some cases, one might have to drill deeper to gain access to the lock. This process would destroy the insides of the lock exposing and releasing it. If that does not happen then a flathead screwdriver could be used to remove the casing of the lock which would release the lock.
Tools:
- NA
Materials: NA
Tools Required
1. Power Drill
A drill is a piece of equipment that makes holes or is used to help fasten. A power drill uses electricity for this process. One could either opt for a corded one or a battery-driven drill although the latter might be restricting.
2. Drill Bits
These are the parts that have to be placed on the main drill machine and this is the key component of the drilling process. For drilling a Tubular lock, one could use a tubular lock drill bit. In case of unavailability, a smaller drill bit (1/8-inch and 1/4-inch) would also work.
3. Safety Goggles
This protects the eyes from any dust or debris that could fly around during the drilling process. Such accidents are serious health hazards so the right-sized goggles must be used for protection.
4. Ruler
A measuring scale will add perfection to the work
5. Masking Tape
This is needed when one is drilling into a vending machine lock. This is essential so that one does not damage the vending machine itself.
6. Flathead Screwdriver
If there is a need to open the casing of the lock then this becomes handy.
How To Take Out A Tubular Cam Lock?
Cam locks are locks with a keyhole with a long tailpiece which is called the cam. A tubular cam lock works on the same mechanism of tubular lock which could be used in cabinets and drawers. So, drilling out a tubular cam lock is similar to that of a tubular lock. The only difference is one might have to drill deeper in this case.
How Much Will It Cost To Drill Out?
If one has all the equipment and expertise then the task at hand could be done by the owner of the lock themselves. Otherwise, a locksmith has to be involved and their charges vary from $80-150$. One must also keep in mind the cost of replacing the lock and also any adjacent costs that may arise due to the process. If your main purpose is to just open the lock, you can try picking the tubular lock instead of drilling it.
Final Talk
Drilling out a lock might seem like an easy process but might go south at any moment without proper equipment and experience. Moreover, there is also a cost of replacing the lock with a new lock and if further damages are made during the process then the cost of replacement would go up. Therefore, the advice is to keep your keys safely and also have some backup keeps in place to avoid the hassle of drilling into a lock.
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