When a key snaps, leave the fragment alone and call a locksmith who does extractions. Pliers, glue, and paper clips push the piece deeper or glue the pins. Clairemont house, Sorrento Valley office, or a car ignition: same rule.

Swift Key San Diego is a referral service. Independent licensed locksmiths extract, rekey, or replace. They set the price. Call (858) 400-4082.

Why keys snap

Metal fatigue on a daily house or car key. A stiff, dirty, or salt-air cylinder that needs extra torque. A poorly cut copy that does not ride the pins. Mission Hills originals and coastal hardware pick up grit. Forcing a sticky lock is how the blade lets go.

What not to do

Do not grab pliers, tweezers, or superglue. Glue in a cylinder often means lock replacement, not a simple pull. A broken key that is still sitting where it broke is the cheaper version of this job.

How extraction is supposed to work

The locksmith looks at the lock and how the key failed. They use extractors and lubricant, not household tools. The goal is an intact cylinder. That is a goal, not a warranty from Swift Key.

If DIY already packed the fragment in, say so on the call.

Can the halves become a new key?

Only if both pieces show a complete, readable bitting and the break is clean. That is uncommon. Better paths: duplicate a working spare, or have the locksmith decode the cylinder and cut a key to that code.

When it becomes a rekey or a new lock

The cylinder was already worn. Pins are bent from fishing. You have no spare and you do not trust who had the old key. Then quote lock rekey or replacement after the fragment is out.

Cost hygiene: how much a locksmith costs.

County coverage

This is a mobile job. Del Mar, Otay Mesa, El Cajon, Golden Hill, Carmel Valley: the locksmith who accepts the referral comes to the lock. License check: search.dca.ca.gov. Related: mobile locksmith and after-hours help.

Frequently asked questions

How much does broken key extraction cost in San Diego?

The locksmith quotes it. Depth of the fragment, damage, and time of day change the total. Drill-and-replace is a different quote.

How long does extraction take?

A clean pull can be short. A packed-in fragment takes longer. They should say which they expect after a look.

Can I use superglue?

No.

Will the lock still work?

If the cylinder was healthy and they did not have to drill. If it was already failing, they should tell you.

I have no spare after extraction.

They can originate a key from the cylinder when the lock type allows it.

Call (858) 400-4082 for an emergency locksmith referral. Do not DIY the cylinder.