On 16/10/2013 20:34, fred wrote:
In article , The Medway Handyman
writes
On 16/10/2013 19:17, fred wrote:

If you were locked out then you can pull out a broken key using a
scrolling jigsaw blade held in a pair of pliers, the barbs catch on the
serrations on the top of the key. There are specialist broken key
removal tools but they look pretty much like a scrolling blade.

Good tip. Thanks.

I should have mentioned that if the key has not broken off flush ie the
break is further in, a pin may have dropped to its lowest position in
front of the stub, blocking the extraction. In this case you will need
to lift the pin with the scrolling blade as you feel forward.

It looks like this had happened in the o/p's case as he points out that
the key would not push out towards the front but could be pushed through
to the back.

Yes, that makes perfect sense. I did try poking around with some lock
picks without getting anywhere. It was only the tip which broke off,
probably the first two pins. Not my key, the SO's. I pointed out a few
months ago that it had a "kink" and that she should get a new one next
time she was passing the key shop. Should have done it myself.