Why you shouldn’t continue to use a badly bent key
Let's call the client Yana. The key was slightly bent after being accidentally pressed down. But he still opened the door. Ian decided: The problem is…
The client's name has been changed.
Let's call the client Yana. The key was slightly bent after being accidentally pressed down. But he still opened the door. Ian decided:
“As long as it works, why make a new one?”
The problem is that a damaged key can become the source of another malfunction. In materials about cylinders, a damaged or bent key is directly listed among the factors that can lead to jamming and damage to the mechanism.
What changes with a bent key
It does not fit into the mechanism according to its original geometry. The result appears:
- lateral load;
- friction;
- additional resistance.
Why is it dangerous to constantly straighten it
After deformation, the metal may be weakened. Several cycles: bent → straightened → bent again increase the likelihood of failure.
What is better to do
If there is a second working key: 1. stop using the damaged one; 2. check the operation of the spare; 3. make a normal replacement.
And if the spare key also works hard
Then the problem may already be in the mechanism itself.