s&g combo safe lock, change combo?

[Jeremym0411]

I do alot of work for Cororate Safe Specilist or CSS. I gave a customer a change key one time after i went out and drilled they cash office safe open for CSS. The customer said i have changed plenty of combination and did not want me to walk her thru the process. Well needless to say they tried to change the combo and used the opening index instead of the change index to dial the new combo. They did not check the new combo and slammed the door and caused a lock out. I have had this happen on SecuRam locks as well as Sargent and Greenleaf 6120. The customer wants me to show them how to change the combo and hits a 2 instead of 3 and they dont know the combo. So then i get called to run the MRC code and reset the lock. Neeedless to say i dont tell them now how to change the combo or give them a change key anymore.

[kahula]

Interesting post. I am new to locksport and safes, but have so far acquired three 6730s, two new old stock and one used. In addition I have two safes with 6730s installed, one a used Safeguard and the other a new Summit (made by Champion).

The new safe first: it's guaranteed/warrantied for life for lockouts including robbery attempts that damage the lock or box, though there is text in the guarantee that the mechanical lock is guaranteed for 5 years; that text comes from the maker, the dealer assures me he'll cover me for lockouts forever. However, no change key was supplied and the warranty is void if I change the combo; only the dealer (or authorized service person) can do that. The dealer recommended I don't change it. He has no record of the combo, but the manufacturer does, indexed to serial number. I don't blame them, since you can certainly damage a 6730 by improperly changing the combo, for example, by doing it with the back cover off, or using a home-made change key (why on earth you would attempt this on a customer's safe is beyond me).

The new old stock 6730s each came with change keys and instructions for installation, and for changing the combo.

S&G has a wealth of information on their website - really good stuff, including a long document entitled "Sargent and Greenleaf Mechanical Safe Lock Guide" that even goes into diagnosing various failure modes including loose spline keys, stuck flys, etc. Very, very well written and illustrated, and interesting free book!

The used lock was a bust. The number 3 wheel has a damaged hub, so it binds on the wheel post at certain rotations, making the dial stiff. I don't trust it.

The used safe I bought had a 6730 what was worn out! The dial ring bearing was completely worn out, and so much so that the bearing surface on the dial was worn beyond service, i.e., a new bearing wouldn't fix this. the dial flopped around in use, and I'm sure the motion would ultimately loosen the spline key or damage the #3 wheel, or both. The lesson here is that safe locks do, indeed, require service that includes proper lubrication and inspection of wear surfaces. Had this one been so serviced regularly I'm sure the lock would still be good.