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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 11:00:46 GMT -5
How can I get the lock on my outdoor mailbox to work? When I tried to open it yesterday, the key would not fit in at first. (We have had rain, snow and 11F)
The key finally went in, but won't turn.
This is an outdoor mail receptacle with 20 or so individual mailboxes. There is not an electrical outlet anywhere nearby to plug in a hair dryer.
I have A1 oil but don't want to try that without knowing it will work.
Help! (again)
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Post by robusta on Dec 29, 2018 11:23:49 GMT -5
Use a lighter to heat your key. So hot you need gloves. Place it in the lock and let it sit. The cold metal will take the heat from the key,repeat a couple of times.
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Post by Drifter on Dec 29, 2018 14:51:19 GMT -5
Got any hand sanitizer? Coat your key with it and insert it into the lock again. The properties in the sanitizer can melt ice inside the lock in seconds.
Or you can use a Deicer, found in the automotive section of any store to spray inside the lock, using the little straw that comes with the can of Deicer.
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Post by 2old on Dec 29, 2018 19:22:08 GMT -5
I always carry a cigarette lighter in my truck this time of year. Too often I find a padlock or door lock that is frozen. As Robusta said, I heat the padlock or just the key if it is a door lock and that usually does the trick.
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Post by robusta on Dec 30, 2018 9:33:35 GMT -5
I always carry a cigarette lighter in my truck this time of year. Too often I find a padlock or door lock that is frozen. As Robusta said, I heat the padlock or just the key if it is a door lock and that usually does the trick. I guess it is indicative of my backwoods childhood. One foot in the pioneer days and one in the modern world. Man never left the house without a way to make fire and a knife, somehow that stuck,also carry a compass in the truck even though it has navigation.
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Post by 2old on Dec 30, 2018 11:29:02 GMT -5
I always carry a cigarette lighter in my truck this time of year. Too often I find a padlock or door lock that is frozen. As Robusta said, I heat the padlock or just the key if it is a door lock and that usually does the trick. I guess it is indicative of my backwoods childhood. One foot in the pioneer days and one in the modern world. Man never left the house without a way to make fire and a knife, somehow that stuck,also carry a compass in the truck even though it has navigation.
Truck and car both have a State Farm Road Atlas in them. Difficult to even find anymore. With GPS. etc. maps are a forgotten item. I still want to see where I'm going before I even begin the trip by way of atlas or Google Maps. Never turn a GPS or navigation on while on the road. Never have. Never will. We also have a blanket, gloves, ice melt, etc. in the trunk of the car. My truck has an extra large crossbox full of tools, insulated bibs, gloves, hats, and most anything one shouldn't need in the next 100 years. But... you never know! :>) |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2018 11:50:52 GMT -5
It was about 7F yesterday and I didn't even try to unlock my mailbox. Thanks to all who responded for the good suggestions. It is a bit warmer today, so I will go out and try to get my mail this afternoon.
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Post by TheSource on Dec 30, 2018 21:20:08 GMT -5
“No mail” equals “no bills”....  
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Post by butterfly on Dec 30, 2018 23:24:13 GMT -5
I always carry a cigarette lighter in my truck this time of year. Too often I find a padlock or door lock that is frozen. As Robusta said, I heat the padlock or just the key if it is a door lock and that usually does the trick. I guess it is indicative of my backwoods childhood. One foot in the pioneer days and one in the modern world. Man never left the house without a way to make fire and a knife, somehow that stuck,also carry a compass in the truck even though it has navigation.
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Post by highlandannie on Dec 31, 2018 1:11:16 GMT -5
“No mail” equals “no bills”.... Ha! Not for us. None of our bills come in the mail. All direct debit. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2018 16:48:25 GMT -5
The Source ~I receive my bills by e-mail.
The temps did go up to the 20s yesterday so I walked down to the mailbox. The lock was thawed, but all that was in the box was a pizza ad.
Glad you all gave me good advice. Next time it happens, I'll know what to do.
Drifter ~ thanks for the hand sanitizer tip.
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Post by TheSource on Dec 31, 2018 20:20:25 GMT -5
The temps did go up to the 20s yesterday so I walked down to the mailbox. The lock was thawed, but all that was in the box was a pizza ad. Glad you all gave me good advice.
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