Lost the post key

Pep

Ok here we go...
I have a postbox outside our home. Long story cut short, lost all keys, watched few YouTubes and decided to drill through the lock.
Used HSS Titanium coated bits (at least I think so, they look kinda gold) but a couple broke, the lock is just bloody hard.
How to open the box without having to destroy it all (at this stage I don't mind losing the lock, in fact that's gone already...)?
Thanks,

fenix

I thought this was a postman after urgent advice.

Maybe a photo would help ? I thought postboxes were a US thing ?

Pep

Will take a photo and post it.
Germany here. Most houses have outside postboxes.

First.Aspect

Call a locksmith?

I tried drilling out a tooth cavity, but it didn't work so I went to see the dentist....

(Titanium nitride is has a gold sheen by the way - and is extremely hard. That's what your drill bits used to be coated in.)

Pep

First Aspect wrote:

Call a locksmith?

Thanks.
Of course that would do. I did think of it already. But calling a pro is kind of an expensive ultimate solution, when all other "simpler" cheaper DIY attempts failed.

step83

Try Tungsten Carbide bits, should work better than the titanium tipped ones. Use an oil to keep the bit cool apply pressure so it bites well an don't run the drill at high speed.
Should go through then, I'm assuming its a normal barrel lock

lesfirth

Use an angle grinder to access the contents and buy a new box with some of the money you saved on a locksmith.

First.Aspect

lesfirth wrote:

Use an angle grinder to access the contents and buy a new box with some of the money you saved on a locksmith.

Walter White used thermite. Have you got an etch a sketch handy?

Alejandrosdog

lesfirth wrote:

Use an angle grinder to access the contents and buy a new box with some of the money you saved on a locksmith.

Wot he sed

robert88

I expect a Google search like

'How to crack a safe'

would have the answer.

First.Aspect

Locksmith will now say there's nothing he can do because someone censored up the lock by trying to drill through it.

I think of amateur locksmithing in the same way as super glue. It always makes things worse.

chris_bass

Pep wrote:

Will take a photo and post it.
Germany here. Most houses have outside postboxes.

is this the irony thread?!

photonic69

First Aspect wrote:

Locksmith will now say there's nothing he can do because someone farked up the lock by trying to drill through it.

If they are anything like the locksmiths on Rogue Traders, they'll probably take an SDS drill to it, destroy the wall behind it and then charge you £400 for the privilege !

First.Aspect

PhotoNic69 wrote:

First Aspect wrote:

Locksmith will now say there's nothing he can do because someone farked up the lock by trying to drill through it.

If they are anything like the locksmiths on Rogue Traders, they'll probably take an SDS drill to it, destroy the wall behind it and then charge you £400 for the privilege !

I think everything now points to using an angle grinder to get to the post, then using the same angle grinder to cut a slot in the front door. You could put a flap on it to keep rain out.

Matthewfalle

blimey fellas.......

get big screwdriver and hammer
smash screwdriver into lock
turn screwdriver
lock opens

what kind of formative years did yot lot have?

rolf_f

lesfirth wrote:

Use an angle grinder to access the contents and buy a new box with some of the money you saved on a locksmith.

It is this mind set that is buggering up the planet. Why replace a lock when you can replace the entire box?....

PS What MF said.

Pross

Misread this as Last Post Key and was going to reply that it's normally B flat major.

lesfirth

Rolf F said:

lesfirth wrote:

Use an angle grinder to access the contents and buy a new box with some of the money you saved on a locksmith.

It is this mind set that is buggering up the planet. Why replace a lock when you can replace the entire box?....



PS What MF said.

I have to admit that that the effect on the planet was not my primary concern when advising the OP with a solution to his problem and perhaps that should have priority over the OPs time and bank balance.
In the unlikely event that the post box had survived MFs lock removal it is quite possible that the generation of the electricity used by the OP in powering his computer, while he tried to locate a suitable replacement lock , would have a worse effect on the planet.
I assume there that the OP was going to recycle his post box and that he was not using his computer on one of the rare windy and sunny days when generation by renewables was marginally greater than that from fossil fuels.

manglier

Try using a Cobalt drill bit instead. They are really hard and what is used to drill through Titanium firewalls. Be sure to wear eye protection as they are prone to shattering if abused.