You turn the key, feel a snap, and half of it stays in your hand. A broken key in lock is one of those problems that gets dramatically worse when people improvise — and it happens more than you might think, especially with older keys that have been copied and re-copied for years around Northwest Indiana.
Why Keys Snap in the First Place
Keys are consumable. Every copy of a copy drifts a little from the original cut, every year of use wears the metal thinner, and every stiff, dry lock forces you to twist harder. Add a Gary winter, when frozen cylinders demand extra force, and an aging brass key eventually gives up right at its weakest groove.
What Not to Do With a Broken Key in Lock
Do not reach for super glue — the internet’s favorite trick. Gluing the broken halves together almost never works and frequently leaves adhesive inside the cylinder, turning a simple extraction into a full lock replacement. Do not jam tweezers or a screwdriver into the keyway either; most attempts push the fragment deeper, past the point where anyone can grab it.
What You Can Safely Try
If a portion of the key still sticks out of the keyway, you have a chance. Grip the exposed piece with needle-nose pliers and pull straight out — no twisting. Before you try, spray a small amount of dry lubricant into the keyway to reduce friction. If the break is flush with the lock face or deeper, stop. Anything you insert from here is likely to work against you.
How a Locksmith Removes It
A locksmith uses purpose-made extractor tools, thin hooked or barbed picks that slide alongside the fragment, catch its cuts, and draw it out without harming the cylinder. Just as important, a good locksmith then checks why the key failed — a worn cylinder, a misaligned strike, a bad copy — and fixes the cause so the replacement key does not meet the same fate.
If a key has snapped off in your door, mailbox, or car anywhere in Northwest Indiana, Jacob’s Lock and Key can come to you. Serving Gary and the surrounding communities seven days a week, 7 AM to 11 PM — call (219) 342-5595.
Last updated: 08/16/2026