Andy Dingley wrote:
On 2 Aug, 12:29, Rob wrote:
With access from the inside, and about a 3mm view of the 'bolt' between
the striking plate and the door, what's the best and least destructive
way of removing this (lost key) external door lock?

Angle grinder!

Thinnest cutting disk you can get (Aldi's stainless steel ones are
great for this) and go through the bolt, leaving the lock body
unharmed. You can even swap the bolt afterwards to repair it and leave
the keying unchanged.

If the bolt is just brass, not with hardened rollers, then a Fein
Mutleymaster will do it too.

Many thanks all - plenty to go on. it's actually a mate's front door -
been that way for over 10 years. I've volunteered to sort it out for
him. He has no money so a locksmith's out, not sure of the levers or
rollers. Hinge pins look very awkward - sort of recessed.

I had hoped for something less than an angle grinder but it seems it
going that way. Scary things ;-)

Rob