Wednesday 20 November 2013

Frozen Padlock

Small annoyances in life are what slowly start to drive you insane.
This little padlock is one of mine. Any morning there is the slightest frost it's frozen solid and it's a padlock I open everyday to get at my chicken feed.
 I have to bring out a jug of hot water and pour on it to get free up, but by pouring water on to it I add to the problem as then there will be water inside it to freeze the next night!
I decided to come up with the simplest solution I could think of.
A cover to keep the rain off and to offer a bit of protection from the frost in the form of half a milk carton screwed to the door. Not the prettiest solution to a problem ever but hopefully it will work and the cost is zero! I guess I can stuff it with a bit of insulation to give it even more protection from the cold.
Anyone else have tips to keep things from freezing up?

20 comments:

  1. WD-40 works if it's available over there. Warming the key (and maybe the lock) with a cigarette lighter sometimes does the trick, too.

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    1. I use WD40 but it doesn't seem to help too much to stop it freezing

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  2. We don't have any locks so can't offer any help!

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    1. No locks! I don't think I could get used to that!

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  3. I have to make sure the little snap hooks that I use are open side down at night or water will freeze and jam them. I think all my locks are pretty much prodected as the doors are recessed under the roofs. I have used graphite like what is in pencils, used a file to make some powder and put that in the lock and key and worked it in the lock. That kind of helped one time but they may have spray graphite by now.

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    1. The spray grahite is somethign I;ve looked at but I wasn't suer how it would work. maybe I'll buy a little can of it and see how I get on.

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  4. We used to carry cigarette lighters to unfreeze animal pen locks when I worked in a sanctuary. I once got locked in a deer pen in minus 30C because the lock froze on me...cigarette lighters were then issued!
    Jane x

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    1. Not a bad idea. I don't smoke though so I don;t think we've even got one in the house!

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  5. I like to keep a plumber's propane torch handy for those occasions, the kind with the pezio igniter built right in to the handle. Warm it up thoroughly with the torch and once dried out completely hit it with silicone/ non oil based lubricant.

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    1. I have a little blow torch somewhere but the shed has got some straw in it as well so might be a bit risky!

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  6. Do you know? I have never encountered that problem here in Africa!

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    1. I bet! I think you have to have a cold winter so you know how good summer feels! If that means I have a few frozen locks then so be it!

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  7. We use bubble wrap/sheeps fleece inside a drinks bottle over taps and locks :)

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    1. Yeah thats pretty simular to what I was thinking. I'll have to d the outside tap like that as well.

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  8. What about your sonic screwdriver?
    Otherwise you can use acetone and automatic transmission fluid mixed 50/50. that mix will free up anything.
    Once my neighbor burnt his house down using a blowtorch to unthaw pipes. This was funny because he was a fireman.
    Or you could just not worry about it until you have a nice warm day.

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    1. The chickens might be a bit hungry by the time a nice warm day comes along over here! Sonic screwdriver? You guys love any English reference! Now get back to your burger...

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  9. Squirt a bunch of silicon spray into the lock. Saturate it well. It also works to stop a fan belt from squeaking. Spray the belt & pulleys. Sounds counter intuitive, but it works exceptionally well.

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  10. A graphite spray works well too. It is also called graphite lubricant. We use it on cars and other locking mechanisms up here in Alaska. Works very well. Won't freeze like other oils and helps the lock mechanisms stay functional.

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  11. We don't have that problem here lol! Things getting boiling hot on the other hand is :)

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  12. I might be a bit late , But for me Graphite is the way forward . I always have both powder and grease in my toolbox. So far it has not let me down . I used powder last Thursday. I think you are right about the water. If it was me I would bring the lock in and dry it out . Then work the lubricate well in. If you use powder make sure you have protection down as the powder is very fine and is apt to take one by suprise and its very black !!

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