Non-Master Combo Lock

[waynewr21]

My IT associate has this combination lock but it isn't a Master lock. I tried the Master lock method but the stick points are really hard to find. I think the lock isn't quality anyways but the IT guy doesn't want to just throw it away. Is there an alternative method for cracking non-master combo locks?

[MacGyver101]

The answer is likely yes, but we'd need to know what type of lock it is (telling us that it's "not a Master lock" isn't giving us much to go on).

Many cheap combination locks can be shimmed open: you can try searching for "padlock shim" for more information. Beyond that, manipulation techniques for combination locks aren't discussed in the public forums.

[Safety0ff]

Use a [removed because i'm skeptical of your motives] to get open it. With the shackle opened, take a flashlight, turn the dial 3 revolutions clockwise untill the backmost wheel's gate is visible. Look at the dial and figure out which number that would be. Turn the dial counter-clockwise past that number and stop when the middle wheel's gate is aligned with the backmost wheel's gate, write down the number. Repeat what you did for the middle wheel for the frontmost wheel. Now without turning the dial, count how many markings there is between the number for the front most wheel and the approximate 1o'clock position. Take that number and substract it from all the other numbers you've wrote down. Try the combination, if it doesn't work go plus or minus two.

[waynewr21]

Thanks guys. I work at a small company and the I told the IT guy that I would give it a try because I had success with a Master lock before. The combination lock is made by "Travco," I even tried to look it up on google but found nothing regarding this lock.

[Safety0ff]

There's an easy way to find the last combination depending on the design of the lock. Certains locks willingly give away the last combination number. To find it all you have to do is turn the dial for a little more than 3 revolutions clockwise, then pull on the shackle and keep turning clockwise until it gets stuck between two points. Any number between those two points will work as the last combination number, to be safe take the number that's in the middle.

[waynewr21]

Thanks a bunch. I think I got the last couple of numbers because I was able to pop the lock open slightly and then used a paper clip to push the release hasp (I think that is what it is called). Anyways, I think I got two of the numbers right (I'm pretty sure the 3rd is right). I just have to figure out the the first or second one.

[Safety0ff]

If you have the last number you can take the guesswork out of the method in my first post. Instead of counting to the 1 o'clock position you get the difference between the number that it seems to correspond with and the actual 3rd number.

[waynewr21]

sucess Thanks Safteyoff and MacGyver101, you guys have been helpful. It took a while but without proper tools that you guys have, it's not suppose to be easy right Anyways, this is kind of tickling my fancy on lockpicking, maybe I should learn this stuff right. Anyways, thanks again.

[Safety0ff]

Which method worked out for you in the end?

What tools?

Welcome to lockpicking, it's pretty interesting especially once you get into the more secure stuff. Who knows, some stuff in lockpicking might apply to IT as well vice versa.

[waynewr21]

SafteyOff

I actually work in accounting but am close to the IT guy. I just offered my help to him because I did this before. I used your method, once I got the shackle open, and with a little guessing work, I was able to get two numbers right so the shackle lifted a bit. this allowed me to use a thin paper clip to shimy it open. Once opened, I had to look inside to see where the notches were, specifically the second number. It is actually hard to peek into that hole. In the end, my associate is happy and I got some moral points I think I might pick this up as a hobby (not combo locks, regular locks), it's actually kind of interesting. Thanks for your help again, I greatly appreciate it.