If you have forgotten the combination of your safe, contacting an experienced locksmith could cost you a lot of money and if you try to forcibly open it you could ruin both the safe and your tools. To open it yourself, you need patience and some effort, but you will be rewarded with a more swollen wallet, a safe that is still intact and a good sense of satisfaction.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Learn how a combination lock works
Step 1. Start with the combination lock
The combination lock ring is a circular, rotating disc. Numbers are written around the circumference and usually start with 0 at the top and progressively increase as you rotate the disc clockwise. Unless you want to break in (which is very difficult) the only way to open the safe is to dial a series of numbers on the ring.
Step 2. Learn how the axis works
It is a small cylinder attached to the bezel. When you turn the bezel, the axis also turns.
The plank, like other parts, is not visible even with the safe open
Step 3. Understand how the motor shaft is connected to the axis
Positioned on the extreme side of the axis (on the side opposite the ring nut) this circular object is inserted into the pin and rotates with it.
The pin that extends from the crankshaft once inserted into the coaxial discs (see below) allows them to rotate
Step 4. Learn what safe spinning discs are
These circular objects are threaded into the pin but are not attached. To turn they must be hooked by the pin.
- A combination lock has a coaxial disc for each number in the combination (usually 2-6). For example a 3-number combination (eg 25-7-14) has three discs.
- Knowing how many discs there are is important for opening the safe, but there are ways to find out the number even without knowing the combination (see points below).
- The flywheels engage with the next pin or disc and rotate them. This is not important to remember in the context of this guide. Just know that the crankshaft comes into contact with the discs and makes them rotate.
Step 5. View the shutdown
The stop is a small bar that rests gently on top of the discs. (It doesn't stop them from spinning). The stop is connected to the lever mechanism responsible for keeping the safe closed. As long as the latch is in its position, the safe is closed.
Some older texts call it "dog" or "ratchet" (an obsolete term for any object that blocks or holds another)
Step 6. Understand the disc notch mechanism
At one point on its circumference, each disc has a "notch" (also called an injection point). When the disc is rotated and the notch is up, the stop enters these notches. The lever moves and the opening mechanism is unlocked.
- Now you understand why there is a disc for each combination number. When you enter the first number, the first disc is rotated to a position where its notch is directly below the stop. Then reverse the direction to disengage the disc and spin the next one into its position.
- The crankshaft also has a notch but for different reasons. It is not important to know them in this guide, but remember that this notch will click whenever it slides past the lever (the stationary part attached to the stop).
- Additional information for the curious: when the stop falls and releases the locking mechanism, the notch of the crankshaft engages the latch which physically locks the door and takes it out of the way.
Step 7. Continue with the appropriate section depending on your knowledge
If you already know how many numbers the combination consists of, go directly to the section "Finding the combination of numbers". Otherwise read on to learn how to "Find the length of the combination"
Part 2 of 4: Finding the Length of the Combination
Step 1. Rotate the bezel clockwise for multiple complete cycles
This resets the lock and ensures that all disks are free.
Step 2. Place a stethoscope on the surface near the bezel
Believe it or not, this Hollywood trick is actually used by professional locksmiths. With the stethoscope inserted in your ears and the bell leaning against the wall of the safe, you can amplify the sounds you are looking for.
- The mechanism you are listening to is located directly behind the bezel, but of course you cannot rest the stethoscope on it because you will need to rotate it. Try moving the stethoscope between the different points near the bezel while spinning the combination until you find the position from which you hear best.
- Metal safes have the advantage that by reverberating the sound they make listening easier and are a good choice for those who are dedicating themselves to this new hobby.
Step 3. Turn the bezel counterclockwise and listen carefully until you hear two clicks next to each other
Rotate slowly and be ready to take note of the positions.
- One click will be softer than the other because the notch that causes the sound is tilted to one side.
- You are listening to the sound the crankshaft notch makes as it slips under the lever arm (see "How to Learn the Functions of a Safety Combination"). Each side of the notch makes a click as you pass the lever.
- The term "contact area" of the crankshaft indicates the area on the ring nut between these two clicks.
Step 4. Reset the lock and repeat the step
Turn the bezel clockwise for several complete cycles and then go back to picking up sounds by slowly turning it counterclockwise.
Clicks may be subtle or obscured by other noises. Repeat the process two or three times to confirm that the two consecutive clicks are in a restricted area of the bezel
Step 5. Turn counterclockwise until the bezel is on the opposite side of the area where you detected the sound of the two clicks
Once you have established the area of the two clicks (the contact area), turn the ring 180º, bringing it to exactly the opposite point.
This action is called "park the disks". You have placed the discs in this area and now you can count them as you "collect" them by turning the dial
Step 6. Turn the bezel clockwise and listen each time you pass the original point
Turn slowly and be very careful every time you pass the spot where you "parked the discs".
- Remember to listen carefully as you pass the "park" position, 180º from the original "contact area" you found earlier.
- The first time you pass from this position you should hear the click of the released disc starting to rotate with the crankshaft.
- At each subsequent step you will only hear a click if there is another disc to "pick up".
Step 7. Keep spinning and counting the number of clicks you hear
It only counts the clicks you hear in the "parking" area.
- If you hear a lot of clicks or hear them in a different position, it is likely that there was a mistake in "parking". Repeat the process from the beginning of this session and make sure you have fully reset the bezel with a few extra cycles of rotations.
- If you continue to experience the same problem, the safe you have may be equipped with anti-burglary technology and in this case you will need to contact an experienced locksmith.
Step 8. Write down the total number of clicks
Once you rotate past that point and you don't hear any other clicks, note the total number of clicks. This is the number of disks in the security combination.
Each disc has a number in the combination, so now you know how many numbers you need to enter
Part 3 of 4: Look for the combination of numbers
Step 1. Prepare two line graphs
You will need to record a lot of information to be able to open the safe. Line charts are not only an easy way to do this, they will also help you find the data you need.
Step 2. Name each of the graphs
Each x-axis of the graph should cover an extent from 0 to the highest number indicated on the bezel, leaving enough space on the graph to render the three numbers closest to the points you will detect. The y-axis will only have to cover a span of 5 numbers, but you can leave it blank for now.
- Name a graph's x axis "starting position" and its y axis "left contact point".
- Name the x axis of the second graph "starting position" and its y axis "right contact point".
Step 3. Reset the block again and place it on zero
Turn the bezel several times clockwise to disengage the discs and then set it to zero.
Step 4. Slowly turn counterclockwise and listen
You are trying to find the "contact areas" where the mast engages a disk (see How to Learn the Functions of a Security Combination).
Step 5. When you hear two clicks close together, note the position of the bezel with each click
Be sure to mark the exact number corresponding to the click sound. You will need to separate the colon usually within a few numbers of each other.
Step 6. Indicate these points on the graph
On the graph "left contact point" indicates the point x = 0 (the starting number on the ring). The y value is the number on the bezel corresponding to the first click you heard.
- Similarly, on your graph "right contact point" indicates the point x = 0 and the y value corresponding to the number of the second click.
- Now you can classify the y axes. Leave enough room for you to write down 5 numbers on each side of the y-value you just recorded.
Step 7. Reset the block and place it 3 numbers to the left of zero
Turn the bezel clockwise a few times and place it three numbers beyond zero.
This number is the second value you will record on the x axis
Step 8. Continue recording the two click area
Find the next y-axis value of the second set of clicks when starting from this area. You should hear them near the same area where you heard them last time.
When you've registered this second zone, reset the lock and set the bezel 3 more numbers later by turning counterclockwise
Step 9. Continue the process until the lines of the graphs are complete
Once you have completed the map of the entire ring (starting from multiples of 3) and returned to position 0, the procedure is completed.
Step 10. Search the graphs for the points where the two y values converge
In some points of the x-axes the difference between the values of the left and right contact points (y-axes) will be smaller.
- This is easier to detect if you overlap the two graphs and find the points on the two graphs that are closest to each other.
- Each of these points corresponds to a correct number in the combination.
- At this point you know how many numbers there are in the combination, either because you have already used the safe before, or because you followed the instructions "How to find the Length of the Combination".
- If the quantity of the converging points on the graph does not match the quantity of the numbers in the combination, redo the graph and see which points are consistently closest.
Step 11. Write down the x values of these areas
If the y values of the two graphs are closer together when x = 3, 42 and 66, write down these numbers.
- If you have successfully followed the steps, these should be the numbers to use in the combination, or at least be very close to the real ones.
- At this point we do not know the correct sequence of the numbers. Read on on verification and the tips below.
Part 4 of 4: Verification and Results
Step 1. Try every possible sequence of numbers you have located
If at the end of the section "Search for Combination Numbers" you found 3, 42 and 66, check the combinations (3, 42, 66); (3, 66, 42); (42, 3, 66); (42, 66, 3); (66, 42, 3) and (66, 3, 42). One of them should open the safe.
- Remember to try to open the safe door every time you enter a combination! Don't get distracted and move on to the next combination before checking if the previous one works.
- Between attempts, remember to reset the ring by turning it several times.
- If your bezel has 2 or 3 discs, we suggest you write down the sequence of each combination and delete it as you check it.
Step 2. If the safe does not open, also try combinations of neighboring numbers
Most safes have a margin of error of 1 or 2 numbers and that's why you had to look for clicks every third number. It may be that your safe is more accurate, especially if it is more expensive.
- For example, if the numbers you transcribed are 3, 42 and 66 you will need to check every combination of [2, 3, or 4] + [41, 42, or 43] + [65, 66, or 67]. Don't get confused by starting to check combinations like (41, 42, 65); each combination must contain exactly one of the three numbers indicated in the brackets.
- This is actually feasible for combinations of 3 numbers or less (requiring a maximum of 162 tries). For a 4-number combination, the variants go up to 1,944, which is always quicker to check all possible combinations, but you waste a lot of time if you make a mistake on the way.
Step 3. Try again from the beginning
Opening a safe takes a lot of patience and effort! Find the Length of the Combination, Find the Numbers of the Combination and Check the Results.
