5 lever mortice lock sticking. Can they be sorted?

[saveasteading]

Panic...the key wouldn't turn and we were locked out.

OK try my key.    

Same.

 

A bit of fiddling and it worked.

But it is  a worry.

 

Then trying it lots of times seemed fine, but maybe some gunk had moved OR I was getting the angles right.

 

Looking at the keys, they aren't quite the same, and both look rather simple.

One is probably the original and has worn. The other may be a copy of  a  copy.

Maybe we should copy the one that is working slightly better.

 

Do such 'security' locks wear out?
Will a scoosh of oil sort it all out or just delay the day when we are locked out?

 

The lock will be about 15 to 20 years old. Change it?  

[Onoff]

Get some graphite oil spray in there or graphite powder in a puffer. 

[crispy_wafer]

Yep graphite stuff will be your friend for this.  This is what I have to use on my locks once a year to keep it smooth.

 

https://www.ultion-lock.co.uk/product/ultion-lock-lubricant/

[Onoff]

Lidl do a good graphite spray.

[saveasteading]

Is that dry graphite powder in an aerosol?

This is at B and Q so might be easier to get.

Also it's a known brand, and not Amazon.

 

Edited 12 hours ago by saveasteading

[Onoff]

2 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

Is that dry graphite powder in an aerosol??

 

The Lidl one is a wet spray so graphite in a carrier. It's good. I usually hold a rag behind if spraying on window hinges. If doing a door, open it ajar and place some rag or something absorbent on the floor. 

 

The powder one is this sort of thing that you "puff" in:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/376002352482?