If you’ve ever wondered how to drill out a lock, you’re not alone.

Whether you’re trying to open a door or a safe, you need to have the right tools and a little bit of patience.

The same is true even though you are a seasoned locksmith trying to drill a lockout of a piece of wood.

How To Drill Out A Lock? You’ll need to extract the screw that holds the lock in place. If there’s no screw, you can use a saw to cut through the lock’s metal and then pry it open with pliers or a screwdriver. When you’re done removing the lock from your door, you can use a drill bit to drill out the tumblers inside of it.

Therefore, in this article, we will instruct you thoroughly in a step-by-step process of drilling out a lock like a master locksmith. Let’s get started.

Step by Step Process Of How To Drill Out A Lock

This section will give a thorough insight into how to drill a lock step-by-step using the general household toolbox.

Necessary Materials

• Drill
• Small Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Wire Cutter
• Piler
• Safety Glass

Step 1: Remove the screws/nails from the door.

Use your screwdriver to remove the screws holding your lock in place.

These will most likely be located on either side of the door handle or on top of the door.

Once you’ve removed these screws, pull out any remaining nails that are holding it in place to prevent them from piercing your hands during step 2.

Step 2: Carefully pull out the metal pieces.

Remove any metal pieces that are preventing you from removing your lock from its housing (if applicable).

If there are metal pieces obstructing access to where you need to drill out your lock, use your pliers or wire cutters to remove them so that you can access this area more easily.

Step 3: Use pinpoint accurate pressure.

Apply some external pressure in the shear line using a small screwdriver or hammer by banging 2-3 times near the lock area to make the visible indentation to smoothen along with loosening the space to drill in the next step.

Step 4: Put the safety glass on.

Wear the safety glasses first to avoid any unnecessary pieces of metal or wood entering your eyes before starting to drill.

Step 5: Initiate the drilling process.

Drill out the cylinder/lock mechanism using an electric drill with a slight change of bits until it comes loose from its housing and falls out of place onto the ground below it.

This will let the door immediately open up.

Be sure not to drill past the middle point because doing so will cause damage to both yourself and whatever structure you’re drilling into, which could cause major injuries down the road.

How To Open a Lock With a Small Drill Bit?

Firstly, use a small drill bit to make holes in the front and back of the lock.

Next, carefully operate a hammer to smash the lock’s pins and springs until you can remove the cylinder from the door or box.

Finally, remove the remaining metals until it is flat and smooth.

How Do You Drill a Cylinder For a Key Lock?

To drill a cylinder for a key lock, you must first drill through the top of the cylinder to create a small hole.

Next, you will require to measure the depth of your key’s blade and determine how far down on the back of the cylinder you want to drill.

After this, you’ll take a slightly smaller bit than your key’s diameter and drill through the bottom of your cylinder.

Finally, using two new drill bits (one with a tiny shaft), create holes in each side of your cylinder that are big enough for your key to fit snugly into.

FAQ

Can you drill out a lock that has anti-drill pins?

You can drill out a lock with anti-drill pins if you have the right tools and know what you’re doing.

In short, you’ll need a particular bit that’s made specifically for drilling out locks and a drill press, and some specialized lubricants.

How do you remove a lock if you lost the key?

If you lose your key and require to remove a lock, consider several options.

Foremost, you can try to pick the lock.

If picking doesn’t work, you may be able to drill out the pins to remove them from their grooves and thus open your lock.

However, this can damage your lock if done improperly, so only attempt this method if necessary.

Can a padlock be drilled out?

Yes, a padlock can be drilled out.

However, the process will be challenging and requires specialized tools.

A drill press, for example, will be required to ensure the drill bit stays perpendicular to the lock while it is being drilled out.

Can I drill out a deadbolt lock?

Yes, you can drill out a deadbolt lock.

However, it is not recommended that you drill out your own deadbolt lock for two reasons.

One, There is a risk of damaging the lock’s internal mechanisms, and

Two, you will lose your warranty on the product if you do so.

Final Verdict

Drilling out a lock can be a frustrating experience, but it can be done quickly and easily with the right tools and know-how.

The most vital part of knowing how to drill out a lock is to use the right drill bit for the lock. If you don’t have the right bit, your drilling will likely damage the lock and/or the surrounding metal.

So, when drilling out a lock, it’s essential to be patient as it may take several attempts before you get through.

Once you have drilled out the keyhole, use a screwdriver or other tool to twist it open until it comes free from its mounting hardware.