# Help Me Save Christmas **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395 "2012-12-18T03:33:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/1 "2012-12-18T03:33:36Z")
The following story is typical of my life. :smack: I locked my son’s Christmas presents in the shed, with a MasterLock padlock on it. Put the key on my bedside table, went about my life. The key is now gone, and I have looked everywhere for it. I’m pretty sure he went into my bedroom and took it- not to get into the shed, but just because he does things like that. Not maliciously, but he has an active imagination and often uses household items to act out scenarios- hey, it keeps him busy. There is a small chance we will find it outside somewhere tomorrow when the sun is out, but maybe not. What to do? Before you link to a video on how to make a shim out of a Coke can or how to pick a lock with a paperclip, keep in mind that I’m not McGuyver, and I probably won’t be able to do anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/2 "2012-12-18T04:12:53Z")
I’ve used this method a few times and it works pretty well. Not complicated at all, as long as you can use scissors and can fold. [How to Make a Padlock Shim: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow](http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Padlock-Shim) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/3 "2012-12-18T04:16:01Z")
Usually padlocks come with two keys. So I assume that the second key is inaccessible. Given that, you can rent a pair of bolt cutters or an angle grinder for ten or twenty bucks, assuming that you’re comfortable using one of those. If not, perhaps a friend or neighbor is comfortable with such tools. Or it should not cost very much to have a locksmith make a trip out to your house (particularly if you tell them the reason). ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/4 "2012-12-18T04:18:36Z")
Okay, I will try it tomorrow if the key’s not found. I don’t have high hopes, because I suck at things like that, but you never know. I also see that you can buy shims- I did not know that. Yeah, I don’t have the second key, and I’m sure my landlord doesn’t either, as he will have me leave it under a mat if he needs to access the shed. Bolt cutters are an option I have thought of, and a possibility. I have lots of manly neighbors that should be able to cut it if it comes to that. I thought maybe some doper knew of some super-secret easy way of getting that lock off… nothing’s easy, I should have known that. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/5 "2012-12-18T04:20:19Z")
or you could tunnel into the shed! ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/6 "2012-12-18T04:24:19Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > or you could tunnel into the shed! Yes, let me get my spoon! Oh wait, I think I’d rather buy the presents again! If all else fails, which I’m sure won’t happen, there is a window with the glass out that is only covered with plastic. I will have to break the wood in it, but oh well, it’s not like it’s functional anyway. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/7 "2012-12-18T13:02:01Z")
Rent a metal detector to help you find a key. Fire departments have nice bolt cutters. Do you know any fireman? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/8 "2012-12-18T13:24:48Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Rent a metal detector to help you find a key. > > Fire departments have nice bolt cutters. Do you know any fireman? Yeah- ring up and say there is a fire inside the shed! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/9 "2012-12-18T13:39:14Z")
Borrow a set of bolt cutters? ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/10 "2012-12-18T14:27:16Z")
If no one has bolt cutters, a dremmel will cut right through it, too. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/11 "2012-12-18T14:35:01Z")
I’d at least ask the landlord if he has the spare key. Ya never know… ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/12 "2012-12-18T14:39:05Z")
Hardware stores, both the big guys like Home Depot and the smaller guys, often rent out bolt cutters and other hand tools, as well as the big noisy scary power tools. Bolt cutters aren’t scary or hard. They’re like pruning sheers, but for metal. Get the longest ones they have - leverage is your friend - and even a woman with weak arms can cut a Master lock. Ask me how I know. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/13 "2012-12-18T14:41:46Z")
If it is an actual “Master” brand lock, look at the bottom of the lock near the keyway. There should be a 4-5 digit number stamped there. Write it down and and take it to a locksmith. Do **not** go to a hardware store, big box store, etc. You need an actual locksmith. They might be able to make a replacement key using the number code. I don’t know how much it would cost you, though, so you might call a couple of them to see what they charge. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/14 "2012-12-18T14:48:19Z")
Is simply unscrewing the hasp from the shed an option? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/15 "2012-12-18T15:03:09Z")
Shoot the lock off? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/16 "2012-12-18T15:13:51Z")
Wrap the shed in pretty paper, put a big bow on it, tell your son the presents are in there, so he better hope the key turns up soon. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/17 "2012-12-18T15:35:40Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Wrap the shed in pretty paper, put a big bow on it, tell your son the presents are in there, so he better hope the key turns up soon. Take a picture of the shed wrapped in pretty paper and a big bow and share it with us cause I wanna see that.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/18 "2012-12-18T16:06:46Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Wrap the shed in pretty paper, put a big bow on it, tell your son the presents are in there, so he better hope the key turns up soon. Hahaha… best answer! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/19 "2012-12-18T16:10:44Z")
Check the boy’s stool, for good measure. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395/20 "2012-12-18T16:12:12Z")
Ew, then I’d have to keep all the presents for compensation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-save-christmas/644395.md?page=2)