Suitcase

[CheekyRed]

Hi new on here so be gentle!!

I have a Samsonite suitcase where it has a 3 disc combination on it, having not used the suitcase for a while I have managed to forget the combination.

Any tips??

Or is it plan 000, 001,.....

Cheers

[CitySpider]

There're ways to do it, but it's probably easier and faster for you to just try them all.

[HeadHunterCEO]

wiggle the button and watch which wheels jiggle.
continue to spin one at a time until it stops jiggling

repeat for all three

[mcm757207]

If there is wide enough gap in between the disks you might be able to slip something in between and feel for the notch in the disk. Not quite sure though... photoes would be helpful.

[monkeE]

It's a suitcase, and I assume you can lock it by just closing the clasps when ready. This hints that shimming the mechanism might work. Once open, you may renumber the lock.


"Shimming?" you question?

One might even say jimmying, but anyway, basically get a stiff piece of something, real thin and flexible at the same time. Attempt to mimmick the action closing the clasp would have on the actual lock mechanism, and voila, and open lock. If that didn't make sense (and I doubt it will if you are new to this) search the forums for jimmying or shimming. There will be plenty of stuff about shimming, but most of it will be about a different type of shimming, but same concept, almost. Have fun!

[Ice]

Is the suitcase open? If so, sometimes you can change the combination from inside, when it's open, etc...

(I realize you haven't used it in a while and it's probably locked and closed, but you never know?) Goodluck!

[skeleton_keys]

I think I posted a thread about this once. . .but yeah, mcm151201 was spot on. On most of those three or four-wheeled combination locks you find on suitcases, bike-chain locks, etc., there is a very easy way to pick them. Take a thin, flat piece of metal (sometimes it has to be *very* flat, depending on how well made the lock is, and therefore how little space there will be between parts) and insert it on the right side of the first wheel, so that it comes to rest against the axle. Turn the wheel slowly, one number at a time, allowing your flat-tool to slide along the axle's surface until you finally feel it drop into a notch in the axle. Whichever number the notch is next to is the correct combination number. (Just make sure you actually have the notch lined up across the center. . .your tool may still catch in the notch when it's one number too far in either direction.) Remove your tool, insert it on the right side of the next wheel, and so on, until you've got all the axle notches lined up perfectly, and voila! Not only did you pick it, you now know the actual combination.

The reason this works: Since most of these types of locks have owner-resettable combination functions, you can usually push a small lever somewhere inside the briefcase, and while holding it down, turn the wheels to the new combination you want. The lever lifts the wheels up out of the axle notches, you turn the wheels, and then when you release the lever it settles the wheels back down into the notches at your new number.

I keep a combination-locked briefcase at home just so I can show people this trick. Some companies sell "Presto/Sesamee" tools (named after two popular brands of this type of lock) for $25, which are nothing more than flat, thin pieces of sturdy metal with handles. Don't waste the money, just file down the head of an old pick you don't care about.

[security_lock]

After I discovered the notches on a "practice"-lock I started searching the internet and read about this method. Then I went to check out briefcases in stores. I discovered that most of them have this owner-resettable combination function. To make things even worse, in most of the cases (pardon the pun ), the notch was clearly visible. Anyone can open them, at least if they are aware of this method. What's the point of paying $200,- for a briefcase anyone can open in seconds?

[frostbyte]

It'll likely keep your 2 year old out of your important stuff, and it'll slow down (even if only for 20 seconds) somebody wanting to quickly go through your things.

[DBCooper]

Its unfortunate, but I have found that child proof safety caps on medication bottles provide more security then some of the 'locks' out there.

I usually just use a cable tie with a twist connector on my suitcases. Cheaper then a lock and more effective.

[NKT]

The fastest way is to simply look down the side of the dials with a torch.

Spin them round until you see the different bit - you will see what I mean right away - and do that for all three dials. Try it. If it doesn't work, move all the dials round one, try it. After nine tries, you should be in.

You can also try by feel. Just ignore the false gate at 0 unless you can't find any other.

This only works with Samsonite, not Delsey, and I haven't done this since school, some ten years ago!

[Ice]

Its unfortunate, but I have found that child proof safety caps on medication bottles provide more security then some of the 'locks' out there.

I usually just use a cable tie with a twist connector on my suitcases. Cheaper then a lock and more effective.

...oh how true! When I put a lock on my suitcase though, it's not really to "lock" it but simply to defer anybody wanting to open it. My theory is that my suitcase will be with other ones, and it's quicker to open one without a "lock" than with one (just one less step).

[digital_blue]

Ok, this might be a silly question, but what does airport security do if they want to inspect your luggage and it has a lock on it? This just came up, as I am currently away on holidays and when I left, I considered using a luggage lock, but decided that since I had my tools with me, I'd rather that the baggage be easily accessible. I really have no idea what they do if they want to get in to have a closer look and the luggage is locked up (especially in this post 9/11 era).

db

[Chucklz]

If its locked, expect it to be cut open, unless you have a Big Brother approved lock (which they have a key to). Unfortunately people have begun to trust the TSA, so theft is now much more of a problem....

[digital_blue]

What took so long with that answer Chucklz?

db