Our new place has a porch with a sliding door, but there’s no key for the euro lock.
Thankfully it’s left open, but I want to remove the cylinder and replace it..

Any tips?
Drill it out?
Pick it?
Call a lock smith?!

DrP

If it’s open just remove the screw from the side and slide it out, I.e. reverse of installation. When buying a new one use the old as a guide to get the length and proportions right.

Normally, you need the key to align the lock and slide it out.
I’d pick it or drill it out enough to force it with a screwdriver.

If it’s a cheap one, you can pull the bezel off the handle, get some molgrips on the end of the lock and flex it until it snaps in two. The pictures here make it obvious:
http://www.upgrademylock.com/home-security/threats/

And that’s why you should replace it with a good one that has anti-snap and anti-drill features.

There’s probably no way to tell from the outside if it has anti-snap, anti-drill, etc. If it doesn’t snap in the right place, you can probably still drill it but it might take ages if it has countermeasures for that.

Given the cost of a full mechanism and just how easy it is for a professional, I’d get a locksmith in. When the linkage broke in our door, the upvc door specialist we used got it open almost as quick as we did with the key.

If you do try to snap it, work from the inside as most anti-snap cylinders are only effective on the outside face. There’s a reasonable chance you will do some damage to the door, obviously a burglar is not too fussed about this.

If you have plenty of time then drill away, if you have a small grinder cut the face of the the cylinder off as close to the door face first. Careful of sparks on the glass as they tend to stick. Obviously once you start to drill it then you are committed to finishing the job that way.

The other option is to make a bump key, or call a locksmith who should have it out in a matter of seconds but I have no idea of cost.

I snapped the one in our patio door as I didn’t have a key. It broke with very little force and only a few wiggles of the mole grips. Replaced with a much better one.

Meh…got a locksmith out for £50…. All done. I asked him if he snaps it -said yes, but with a ‘special tool’!

DrP

All for the price of a referral.

bargain

adjustable spanner adjusted to good fit on barrel and snap. It took you longer to read this than do the job.

DrP – Member
Meh…got a locksmith out for £50…. All done. I asked him if he snaps it -said yes, but with a ‘special tool’!

Oh, yeah, I remember now. What a bunch of theatre.

The following eurocylinder locks are pretty good replacements.

http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk/abs-secure.asp

Fitted these to my place following a burglary where the perp snapped the rear door lock.

@DrP,is the property a new build?,then would it not come under “snagging”,and get fixed under NHBC 10 year guarantee??. Otherwise like other posters get a pro in,just had new DG windows/front door fitted in ours and watched the lad fit the eurolock mech in seconds….

Snapped mine with a blow from the hammer…