Screw caps you tighten as much as possible without forcing it(obviously), then back off one click. #LockBoss

Same thing can happen with cylinders that use a clip to retain the tailpiece, usually after years of wear. If you don't have a proper replacement clip, putting a slight bend in the clip will often tighten things up enough for at least a temporary repair. Likewise, the groove the clip fits in may wallow out. Bending the clip may be the only answer short of replacing the cylinder. Also, when originating a key, make sure you are using the correct blade. The wrong blade can effect the MACS or leave the key with a vertical cut surface that can trap a key. #lockboss

Thank you sir! Cap was loose. You saved me time with this DIY project. 5 Stars

Hi PJ! Another way a key can get stuck in a lock is by not having a balanced stack, along with a long spring. It's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. 🤣🗝🔑🔐🔏🔓🔒 Thank you for sharing!

I did this at my Mom's senior living apartment. They love the idea of using their apartment key for their storage locker (in a room down the hall). They don't have to find a separate padlock key, remember a combo, or do anything but take their normal set of keys to get their stored items.

Thanks so much. I had a small padlock that wouldn’t budge no matter what, but as soon as I tried this it opened instantly.

Great tips and solutions to the problems. In Locksport, with hand filing keys I got a key stuck because the edges of the depth cuts were not the 60 degree or 80 degrees, ( I cant remember exactly), that was needed for the smooth operation of the key. Learnt a lot that day! #LockBoss Australia

Good info in the video and the comments. On inside mounted mortise cylinders that are seldom used, the cam screws can work themselves out so far that when a key is actually inserted and turned, they then prevent the plug from rotating back to vertical trapping the key and requiring removal of the cylinder to free it. #lockboss

The Master pins have caught me on the second one while rekeying. I have learned to spray a degreaser and clean all parts before rekeying. It makes it smoother and drops out all of the old master pins. #LockBoss

Another reason for keys getting stuck are because of the presence burrs on the cuts.I’ve had this problem occur three times with ones cut on my Pak-A-Punch.

I don't see the MACS pdf in the notes like the video mentioned.... although I'd love to take a look at it. Last time I got a key stuck in a lock it was because I was testing a bump key on my house and I ended up breaking something in the cylinder. Had to use a pick to lift the pins to remove the key. So reason #3, being stupid with bump keys. :) I guess if you're learning to be a #lockboss you're bound to make a few dumb mistakes along the way, right? Thanks again for another great video!

Rekeyed an office door awhile back not aware it was on a master key system. Took me forever to figure out why my new key was stuck. Now I know next time to check. On my way to being a #lockboss

Great reminders for any #Lockboss on the go or in a hurry and forgets to make a tiny adjustment or tighten everything just right, and nobody wants to cut themself into a lockout key by missing those MACS!!!

Very good video. Just had one two days ago. On a mortise lock the key was 180 degrees out of phase with the bible and wouldn't turn. Turns out the cam was hung up on a broken chunk of spring inside the lock. Tom JMJ Locksmith

Get that all the time key stuck in the door because the cam is loose, when I’m working on at 530 Cylinder I balance the stack, 0-3 large top pin, 4-6 medium top pin,7-9 small top pin #lockboss.

The most common one for me is the castle nut getting loose because the notches on top are worn-out and doesn't lock in place. #Lockboss

Nice info!, For all the #LockBoss type people!. Question: you always say to remove the master pins/wafers but shouldn't you first know if that lock is part of a master keyed system or a multi key system? You don't want to get called back to fix a problem of your own creation, possibly free.

Another thing is that in a car, your shift column may be getting loose. You may think your vehicle is in Park, but it is slightly out, not allowing the key to rotate back to "off" fully. Obviously separate issue from the key being at fault, or lock cylinder being the problem, but its still not an impossible occurrence. Typically happens on ultra high usage fleet type vehicles. Hopefully other fellows who are a #lockboss are able to put that info to use.

Some cheap after market locks, after rekeying, can cause the key to get stuck in the lock d/t plug holes not aligning with bible holes. A fix for this would be to round off the top of the bottom pins (like old original kwikset pins)

Worked perfectly. Thank you for the concise easy to understand repair video.

I’ve found out with schlage F series locks if you don’t use top pins and springs intended for that lock, you can get jams as if it was loaded with master pins.#Lockboss

great tips wouldnt say you missed anything. kinda an obvious one but sometimes a lock binds and you think you have it in the 12 o clock position but you dont. when in doubt jiggle and pinch. #lockboss

Great video PJ!!! THE pin trap could be a reason a key could be stuck!!! 🔐🔑 #LockBoss

Thx for the video. I am bad for over tightening the back cap when in the testing phase of a new pinning job. Also, challenging combinations that are within MACs can be problematic like an 8-2-9 🇨🇦#LockBoss🇨🇦

Been there, done that, PJ! My biggest fault for getting keys stuck was failing to replace the top pin with a shorter one when the key pin was changed to a much longer length during a rekey. After a few of those, I did learn my lesson! ‘Cause....I’m a #lockboss

I have a dead bolt that was just installed by a handyman, but the key will only come out when it is unlocked. In addition, when it has been locked with the key the nob inside is stuck in the locked position and will not turn. This is the second deadbolt he has installed with this issue, so I assume he has installed it wrong. Any idea what the issue is?

I bought a new wisers door lock set and the keys that came with it don’t work. Is there a way I can fix the pins to make the keys work?

Great video pj. Keys stuck n lock. James estep the locksmith living legend. #lockboss

Good to know. I've run into that problem quite a few times. And I never knew exactly what was causing it. Thanks! #LOCKBOSS

This video would have been great for my former coworker! Our road tech would get all upset because he never tightened the castle nut or the screws on the cam on the mortise cylinders when he prepped jobs in the shop. notice I said former... and great explanation on MACS! #lockboss

I have personally ran into these #LOCKBOSS issues in the past, great tips PJ keep them coming

Do you have a video explaining how to get the wrong key out of a lock like you were saying the beginning

good suggestion, lock boss

Hi PJ, just an FYI -- your website takes 5+ seconds to load any page. I would strongly recommend you look deeper into your web hosting provider because something is not right. A faster webpage means a better customer experience and more business! You have great stuff there, you should show it off at top speed. Cheers.

HON 137E, plug came out. Stuck in locked position. How do I get it to unlock?

Hi hi. So housekeeping mistakenly forced in the wrong key 😩 literally your words in the beginning of this video where you mentioned this scenario is for a whole different video 😅. Please help. Because I'm dealing with a wrong key in stuck in the cylinder.

Thank you sir! Great tip that worked!

Thank u for the informative and instructive video.

I have had this happen several times and it stumped me at first. Great video ! #LOCKBOSS

The most common reason I know for key getting stuck is because someone tried to force open the lock and caused a damage to the internals of the lock, mostly springs. But I guess that's too a very different video... thanks! #Lockboss

Kwikset satin nichole exterior door that I have and key won't come out ....HELP PLEASE‼️

I've stuck a key while impressioning. A good #lockboss will file sharp points down on an impressioned key

Still can't get it out. I would submit a pic, but it won't allow me

I’ve definitely run into both of those issues. Nice video! #lockboss

Awesome video!! Could also use some Houdini!! Dirty gritty locks don’t like to open very well. Houdini cleans and lubricates!! Love that stuff!! Thank goodness you have small and large cans!! Great way to get to be a #lockboss

Good tips for any #lockboss# to remember

Similar can happen with SFIC cores too. May be a sign that your pins don’t add up - that you overset the cap - or used the wrong spring. #lockboss

PJ thank you for the awesome pinning mat and the other great prizes, awesome

Great information for a #lockboss! I've run to this a time or two. Also key stuck in a car. For a broken key I would use the Wedgco kit. Thanks #clksupplies!

Your MACS PDF misses the MAIN point in that if you exceed MACS the angle of the key cutter wheel removes the portion of the key where the higher depth key bitting is supposed to be. SIMPLY YOU CANNOT CUT THE KEY (it won't operate the lock as the higher depth will be cut away). A good #lockboss# should know that when selecting a bitting specification.

Done one the day with a loose cam .I had a best they had some bad cut keys but not all #lockboss

#Lockboss it, I figured out the loose cap my first time many years ago. Great video 👌

I figured out the first one for myself, and came up with one you sorta go by- I put a top pin in position 6 without putting a bottom pins in there. It took shimming to sort that out, so I had to wait for them to be delivered from you. Novice #lockboss

Those are tricks of the trade of that every #LockBoss will need to know. Sometimes we just don't think of the simple solution. LOL

Good info,thanks for your video❤

Great advice as usual. Please keep these videos coming. Besides just needing some lubrication a much less common problem, is too short of a top pin, where the top pin and the bottom pin together are lower than the shear line and the spring can get caught between the plug and the cylinder or even a skinny master pin getting caught where it shouldn't. #LockBoss

Not to long ago I had an apartment where the little pin in the back broke. That was so far the only time I had that happen. #lockboss.

Good info. I have had trouble with loose caps in the past #lockboss

Great practical tips here for a common-enough problem, and easy solutions like a #lockboss - thanks for sharing this PJ 😊

Thank you!

I had a few miscut keys get stuck. Main if they come from big box stores kiosk machines. #LockBoss

Amazing,thanks alot

Thank u guys for the videos. The information is very helpful I use a lot of the knowledge I've learned from here day-to-day today #lockboss

Customer last week stuck the wrong key in, got stuck bypassed the comm latch and tore it down exceeded MACS along with being wrong key. The key ring had about 20 other keys on it Smh #lockboss

I get this call all the time, such an easy fix-most of the time..Great Video! #LOCKBOSS

Great video PJ! all the reasons for sticking of the key are bang on lol Stay well #LOCKBOSS

I've had it happen because of a spring worked its way out of the bible and around the plug... I still have no clue how that's possible though. #Lockboss

Thanks!

Great video on a common problem often overlooked by my competitor - I get a number of "stuck key" calls and the fix is always an easy, but important one! #AccessLock&KeyLLC #LockBoss

#Lockboss Great info. Always remember the basics. Thanks PJ

Really like the info, just starting out and need all the help I can get. #LockBoss.

I’ve purposely loosened the nut on a KIK cylinder, after removal of the tailpiece, to capture a key that was being misused. Key goes in and turns, door doesn’t open, key is trapped. #Lockboss

Screwcap fully tight then back off two spots. #lockboss

Just went through this myself yesterday for a customer. Everything old loose and worn out. #lockboss

Great tips...and solutions. i could of used this video last week. LOL! #LockBoss

You mentioned the wrong key jammed in the door lock . That's the video I am looking for.

PJ, great reminders, #lockboss, keep them coming. Father Frank

I like the series and have done business with you all over the years. Good tips overall that are hard to find other places. #lockboss

Haven't had this problem yet, but I'm sure my turn is coming. Thanks to you I'll know how to handle it. Thank you for the useful information every #Lockboss needs to know.

Great tips PJ. I think I've encountered all of them at various times. #lockboss

Dear Mr. #Lockboss , I made an oops while practicing pinning a schlage rim cylinder for my 1st time. To make a long story short my key is stuck and wont shim open due to the top pins falling into the empty bottom pin holes. I forgot to put the back locking cap on before removing the key from the locked position causing the once fully loaded plug to pull out partially, losing 3 top pins and springs. How does someone in my position get the top pin cap off? I am having a hard time trying to get that pin cover off. Is there a trick to getting it off? Thank you for any advice you can toss my way.

What could be the reason for an automobile 🚘 key to be stuck in the ignition??

PJ great and sound advise and how to take care of a common problem. #LockBoss

Thanks ✌🏾

If anyone has this problem please try putting some professional grease inside, my problem was fixed in 2 min with that

Always well described solutions. #lockboss

Thanks for share. I liked the master pinning video better, #Lockboss

Thanks for the info pj i am in the middle of reading the locksmith training program from clk its pretty good so far #lockboss

Great simple solutions from our #LockBoss PJ!

Now that is nice to know #lockboss

Great information, thanks #lockboss

Super great advice, #lockboss

Thanks PJ #LockBoss

An old lesson but a good one to know. #lockboss

Excellent info, thank you as always.. #lockboss

Great advice, seems like you’ve covered all the bases. #Lockboss

Great tips! #LockBoss

I have to say, I’m a big fan of your PDFs. Thank you ! #LOCKBOSS

Awesome video man. Cool to see you guys reaching out #lockboss

As always great info video, #Lockboss.