Anyone know how to crack a safe?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/03/2007 07:29:24 PM · #1

I got some bank furniture today.
And at the bottom are two combination lock doors.
Both of them are unlocked.
But I'd really like to be able to lock them.
But I don't know the codes.
Any ideas on how to discover them?

frisca

Nikon D70

07/03/2007 07:32:58 PM · #2

Do you know who made them? The manufacturer might have an idea how you can get/change the combination. Also try stores that sell safes for ideas.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/03/2007 07:34:25 PM · #3

The combination is almost certainly changeable. If the doors are open you should be able to change the combination.

Who makes the lock, and do you have any kind of model number?

Thanks,
Terry

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

07/03/2007 07:36:45 PM · #4

And post some pics. Those sound cool!

07/03/2007 07:47:17 PM · #5

on the dial it says WATSON MFG. CO., INC JAMESTOWN. N.Y.
I can't see any serial numbers on it though.
But, it does look like i could unscrew the back cover of the door?
Maybe there's something behind there?

And I can't take any pictures of it at the moment as it's on it's side and stuck in the corner until I make some room for it :-)

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/03/2007 07:47:37 PM · #6

DON'T SPIN THE LOCKS!!! Call a lock smith. Be prepared to show reciepts. They should be able to set it to whatever combo you like! Watched a lock smith open a safe... Twice. It's about as interestin' as two flies f###in' if ya know what I mean. It's also much more expensive!

07/03/2007 07:55:47 PM · #7

the locks have been spun hundreds of times!!!!
And I have no receipts.
The "safe" comes from the basement of the building I work in.
It came with the building when my firm bought it.

Message edited by author 2007-07-03 20:01:17.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/03/2007 08:00:48 PM · #8

I took the back of the door and exposed the back of the lock.
There are numbers on there:

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

07/03/2007 08:21:52 PM · #9

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:

I took the back of the door and exposed the back of the lock.
There are numbers on there:

yep that little hole on the bottom right should be where they insert their key (or tool) to change the combo. Any locksmith should really be able to do it.
edit to add: maybe this will help-didn't read it all but looked interesting.

Message edited by author 2007-07-03 20:26:28.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

07/03/2007 09:29:41 PM · #10

Try this...

Spin the dial Left many times, then:

Left 50
Right 40
Right 40
Right 70
Left 90
Left 70

Turn Right until it clicks & opens

;-) Just kidding. This was for an old safe of mine (with different numbers, of course)!

I hope you can get the manufacturer to help you out.

.

Message edited by author 2007-07-03 21:31:42.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/03/2007 09:53:58 PM · #11

I don't know about where you live, but in my part of the world any good locksmith could open and change the combo on this S&G lock in less than half an hour... for a price of course.

Your best best is to call a locksmith, give them the information you have on hand and ask for an estimate.

Best of luck.

Ray

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/03/2007 10:06:42 PM · #12

My brother used to be pretty good at this (along with some other undesireable skills -- breaking and entering, etc.), but he is reformed and probably a bit out of touch by now. :)

Sorry. I would think a locksmith would be your best bet.

or dynamite.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/03/2007 10:22:39 PM · #13

To change the combination, you need these instructions and a change key. The change key is inserted in the small hole on the back of the lock, at the bottom right of your photograph.

You may be able to acquire a replacement change key from the manufacturer. Their telephone number is (800) 826-7652.

~Terry

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/04/2007 08:57:32 AM · #14

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Thanks Terry (and everyone else), but according to those instructions, I have to unlock the safe (it's already been unlocked, so no problem there).
I then have to lock it whilst the door is open (that's where it is at the moment).
But then, I have to unlock it again, and I don't know the combination.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

07/04/2007 11:17:08 AM · #15

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
To change the combination, you need these instructions and a change key. The change key is inserted in the small hole on the back of the lock, at the bottom right of your photograph.

You may be able to acquire a replacement change key from the manufacturer. Their telephone number is (800) 826-7652.

~Terry

Thanks Terry (and everyone else), but according to those instructions, I have to unlock the safe (it's already been unlocked, so no problem there).
I then have to lock it whilst the door is open (that's where it is at the moment).
But then, I have to unlock it again, and I don't know the combination.

You're right, it does.

Does removing the screws on the back allow you access to see the locking mechanism? If it does, you may be able to watch the wheels and discover the combination that way.

~Terry

buginarug

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

07/04/2007 11:24:51 AM · #16

It's not clear from your post how technical you want to get here and how much risk you're willing to take. I collect safes and I'm quite familiar with the lock you've got (its a very common model probably the most common).

First, read the crypto.com safecracking guide that someone posted. Its a serious document, written by a computer science professor. It describes how these locks work (and how to crack them by manipulation but you don't actually need that part). But you HAVE to understand how the locks work if you want to have any chance of discovering the combination.

Now take the two screws off the back cover of the lock case (don't loose them because the lock won't actually open with the cover off). Turn the dial CCW while watching the wheels until the rear wheel has its gate under the fence. Then reverse direction until the next wheel is under the fence. Then reverse direction again until the last wheel is under the fence. The dial position where a wheel's gate is under the fence is its combination number.

What's a gate and a fence and a wheel? You really have to read the paper because if you don't FULLY understand what's going on you wont have a chance.

buginarug

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

07/04/2007 11:35:16 AM · #17

Two other things:

The guide I was talking about is the one at //www.crypto.com/papers/safelocks.pdf .
You'll need an S&G changing key if you want to change the combo rather than just discover the combo. Expect to pay about $10-$15. It may take some convincing to get a local locksmith to sell you one, but there's no reason for them not to (they just want the extra business to change the combo for you).

And if none of this makes sense, virtually any locksmith who does any safe work can help you, but expect to pay more than you would for the key.

Message edited by author 2007-07-04 11:38:05.

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

07/04/2007 02:10:47 PM · #18

I did read that guide and it was very useful.
I've also taken the cover off of the back of the lock and i can see the wheels turning.
I haven't really had a chance to mess with it too much and see the fence falling.
I'll probably investigate at length tomorrow.

Thanks.

buginarug

Nikon D100

07/05/2007 05:41:52 PM · #19

So let us know how it went!

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/05/2007 06:24:34 PM · #20

Chuck Norris would bite it open.