How to safely dispose of 100+ house keys?
Discussion
When the previous occupants of our house moved in, in additional to the vital keys, they were handed a bag of about 50 keys to "stuff". When we bought the house we were handed the original bag plus another bag of about 50 keys. I suggest some are for outbuildings and garages that no longer exist and padlocks since gone. We have all the keys we need.
But, especially the previous owners, they were a bit free and easy with copies so in amongst that lot may be some current keys. I don't fancy changing all the locks - is there way of getting rid without risk? Anonymous drop in a bin somewhere? Of use to any charities? Some of the keys look of the type used in old furniture.
and no, I don't own a blast furnace or nukes
But, especially the previous owners, they were a bit free and easy with copies so in amongst that lot may be some current keys. I don't fancy changing all the locks - is there way of getting rid without risk? Anonymous drop in a bin somewhere? Of use to any charities? Some of the keys look of the type used in old furniture.
and no, I don't own a blast furnace or nukes
XJSJohn said:
take them to a scrap merchant?
The thought had ocurred to me but they are nearly all steel and so not of much value. Now if I had a few hundred metres of signalling cable... I'm sure they'd want my name and address "just for the records". I supppose I could find the dodgiest yard in the area and give them the address of the devious numpty that lives just down the road. 
CunningPlan said:
The thought had ocurred to me but they are nearly all steel and so not of much value. Now if I had a few hundred metres of signalling cable... I'm sure they'd want my name and address "just for the records". I supppose I could find the dodgiest yard in the area and give them the address of the devious numpty that lives just down the road.
I've not been to a scrap merchant that has ever taken down details properly, some even ask what name you want on the receipt. I'm sure they'd want my name and address "just for the records". I supppose I could find the dodgiest yard in the area and give them the address of the devious numpty that lives just down the road. "What is it today Sir? Bob Jones or John Smith?"
Next time you see a holder of the key of pies passing by, give it to him. But make sure you're standing outside your neighbour's house... although this would be unnecessary as they are law abiding citizens of high repute and morals so they will not wait until the middle of the night before trying all the keys on your external doors. They will probably take the bags to a reputable scrap merchant who will buy them at a reasonable rate along with the 50m of copper signalling cable that the railway networks like to give away once a month in the middle of the night.
s3fella said:
Op, can you seriously not work this out for yourself? FFS If you are in charge of a home, all on your own, I reckon you will be dead by teatime...!
I think you are missing the sublety of the question. (and frankly it wasn't that subtle...) I can just drop them anonymously somewhere, sure. But can some worthy organisation make money from them? Can another worthy organisation (me) make money from the rarer items? All whilst not incurring risk to myself.The title was "How to" not "Can I".
Make up a series of cryptic notes, and send the keys one at a time to famous people. Leak a story to the press about the keys being an elaborate treasure hunt, the winning key will unlock a chest of silver doubloons recovered from a Spanish Armada galleon. Get the entire country in a frenzy of greed, and smirk inwardly to yourself that there is no treasure.
CunningPlan said:
I think you are missing the sublety of the question. (and frankly it wasn't that subtle...) I can just drop them anonymously somewhere, sure. But can some worthy organisation make money from them? Can another worthy organisation (me) make money from the rarer items? All whilst not incurring risk to myself.
To be fair, I think the shrewdness of your plan didn't quite come across in the original post. I can just drop them anonymously somewhere, sure. But can some worthy organisation make money from them? Can another worthy organisation (me) make money from the rarer items? All whilst not incurring risk to myself.Perhaps you should try enquiring with Bonhams or Christie's in case investors are going mad for odd keys.
Eggman said:
To be fair, I think the shrewdness of your plan didn't quite come across in the original post.
Perhaps you should try enquiring with Bonhams or Christie's in case investors are going mad for odd keys.
TBF, re-reading the original post, I agree. Good plan in separating out the interesting from the Yale, so to speak, and dealing with separately.Perhaps you should try enquiring with Bonhams or Christie's in case investors are going mad for odd keys.
CunningPlan said:
When the previous occupants of our house moved in, in additional to the vital keys, they were handed a bag of about 50 keys to "stuff". When we bought the house we were handed the original bag plus another bag of about 50 keys. I suggest some are for outbuildings and garages that no longer exist and padlocks since gone. We have all the keys we need.
But, especially the previous owners, they were a bit free and easy with copies so in amongst that lot may be some current keys. I don't fancy changing all the locks - is there way of getting rid without risk? Anonymous drop in a bin somewhere? Of use to any charities? Some of the keys look of the type used in old furniture.
and no, I don't own a blast furnace or nukes
I have got one.But, especially the previous owners, they were a bit free and easy with copies so in amongst that lot may be some current keys. I don't fancy changing all the locks - is there way of getting rid without risk? Anonymous drop in a bin somewhere? Of use to any charities? Some of the keys look of the type used in old furniture.
and no, I don't own a blast furnace or nukes
Would you like me to melt your keys?
Thanks for all the replies My plan is to just bin the padlock ones, as none of them fit any padlocks we use. eBay the old furniture ones as a job lot (after checking none of then work in our old furniture, I hadn't realised some were generic )
My plan is to just bin the padlock ones, as none of them fit any padlocks we use. eBay the old furniture ones as a job lot (after checking none of then work in our old furniture, I hadn't realised some were generic )Chrisgr31 said:
At some of our local fetes theres is a sideshow that comprises a prize in a case and you need the "Yale" style key to open the case. Needless to say there is a huge collection of keys to choose from. So might want to create one of those!
Good suggestion. I'm on the organising committe for the local fete! And one of our number needs at least two men in white coats and a special jacket to prevent him from making things and a case with perspex panels and a yale lock shouldn't be too hard.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff