Combination Locks

[Boone&Smith]

Hey. I saw a video the other day of lock bumping. I hadnt seen all the news footage about it and was really surprised. It was on one of those video sites and when it finished I just browsed the other media on the page. I saw a video of someone figuring out the combination to a Master Combination lock. I was impressed. My son had one just sitting there so I sat down and worked on it and actually got it!! Now I was getting somewhere. So, today I went to Wal-mart and purchased a some Brinks and Master combination locks. I tried both repeatedly and got nowhere. I gave in and tried the combinations supplied with both locks and they do work. I changed the combination offset by + and -1 and they both still opened so I know there are some tolerance issues that would work in my favor.

Now, its a lengthy procedure outlined in the video that was posted so I wont post it here (and I did not bother to bookmark the video) but was curious if I can solicit help from you guys. This is more for my education and amusement than anything else. If there is a good guide to get me going I would sure be appreciative.

Thanks.

[jimmysmith]

If you are attemping to use the method of finding 12 binding points on the dial....5 full # and 7. 1/2 # you are already on the right track..

when i first tryed it years ago it didnt especially work on a newer lock.. but it sure worked awesome on an older on... so after doing it to about 10 old ones i tryed that newer one again and got it no problem ...you got to know what your doing..

use only the 5 full nimbers... 4 will end in the same number.. take away those four munbers. ...the number left is your last number of your combonation..

keep practiceing... will will come really really easy once you have done it a few times. ..

[Exodus5000]

First of all, welcome to the forums. Maybe after you've played with your combination locks for a while you'll take interest in learning to pick pin tumblers.

I assume the method you've been employing involves finding the third number and then using mathmatics narrowing down the combination to about 100 possible combos, then commences the plugging and chugging right?

First off the mathmatics for this technique won't work on your brinks combos, but it should for the masters you have. The most likely problem you're probably having is not finding the correct third number. I know that can be a pain to go through all those combos and come up dry. Try paying particular attention to finding the correct third number.

Now obviously this method is a bit cumbersome. You have to try a lot of combos, it takes a lot of time, and it wont work on your brinks. Go ahead and keep trying this, it can be great fun to learn that skill and get your time down with every new lock.

On the other hand, if you get really frusterated with it there is another quicker technique called shimming which works on brinks too. Here's how to make a shim: viewtopic.php?t=10991

If you want more help on how to manually crack those combos you can search youtube for videos which explain the process as well as show you their method.

Good luck!

[jimmysmith]

beside this method.. i know there is another way of finding the combonation but i am not exactly sure how it works. ..

if you find out let us know..

this is exaclty how i do it... and it works very well.. I have dont it about 25 times.. ...

pay attention... write it down... it works..


http://youtube.com/watch?v=zHXgOxSGznE& ... ed&search=

[Boone&Smith]

That is the method that I was trying. One problem that I am having is that using the 12 points, NONE of the twelve on the new locks are the third number. I did this multiple times yesterday after actually looking at the combinations and could not get it to fall on the third number. It is usually off by 2 places on the dial. I will work on them later today and see if I can do any better. I was hoping I could use this trick while camping to earn free beer. We have a large family and in the warmer months we all head out camping. I will report on my progress this evening or tomorrow.

About the Brinks is there a mathematical way to open that one that is similar to the Master?

Thanks for replying!

[nice7175]

i've tried that trick with several masterlocks and i can never be precise enough to get the last number. i guess i just havent practiced enough. I've made about a dozen can shims and they work but they only last for about 5 openings. are the commercial ones any longer lasting or better?

Another thing, i'm always impressed by how friendly everyone on this forum is. Ya'll are always encouraging and helpful.

Thanks

[DrStu]

I never had that much success with the 12 point/ Last Digit method of manipulating Master Combos. Once I discovered I could determine the Combination in 30 seconds with a shim and a flashlight, I completely gave up on manipulation. It has been my experience that Combo Locks that can be manipulated can be also be shimmed easily, and Locks that can't be shimmed are usual much more difficulty to manipulate.

[Exodus5000]

are the commercial ones any longer lasting or better?

Another thing, i'm always impressed by how friendly everyone on this forum is. Ya'll are always encouraging and helpful.

The commercial shims last a bit longer, but it's not worth buying them. Just make a bunch of shims in bulk from aluminum cans. Don't think of them as valuable tools to be saved, they're disposable.

And yeah, this is a pretty friendly forum. You might want to watch out for a guy named Digital Blue though, he's a bit of a crank

[Exodus5000]

Oh - and concerning the manual manipulation method. It's going to be a very small variance between the real third number and the false ones. I find it helps to write down the numbers. I just went through and cracked on of my masters. Let my break it down for you - here's the 12 numbers I got to stick (I write them down approximating to the tenth):

2.5-4
12.8-14
22-24.5
32.5-34

6-7.1
16-17.2
26-27
36-37.1

39-.9
9-11.2
19.2-20.5
29.2-30.6

We can disregard the top 8 sets of numbers because their difference does not give us a whole number, they end in the middle of a number. For example (4.0 - 2.5 = 1.5) Obviously the third number can't be a half digit on the lock.

So now we look at the bottom 4 set of numbers. Lets find their differences:

0.9 - 39.0 = 1.9
11.2 - 9.0 = 2.2
20.5 - 19.2 = 1.3
30.6 - 29.2 = 1.4

We see that the greatest difference is with the set (9 - 11.2) the number between these is the number 10 - which gives us our third number. Hope that helps some people - try writing it out like I did, it can help you visualize it better.

[Boone&Smith]

Exodus5000-
I have been writing them down but not the variances like what you described. I will try that and see if I get any better. I like the combination manipulation better than the shim. I would rather tackle the unknown than just get into it. Seems like more of a challenge to attack the combination rather than just stick in a shim.
This is more for the fun than just opening a lock. I wouldnt have bought two new ones if I were just going to shim them.
***Anyone have the mathematical formula for the Brinks combination locks? I know with what everyone gave me here in this thread I will defeat the second Master and would like to know how to get into the Brinks when that is done.

And yes, this is a great forum. Thanks to all who have posted!

[nice7175]

You might want to watch out for a guy named Digital Blue though, he's a bit of a crank Wink

hah, i've been around long enough to know who that is. i've got his beginners guide saved and printed

[Boone&Smith]

Exodus5000- Here we go!

Based on what you wrote this is what I have:

.2 - 1
3.5 - 4.5 4
7 - 7.8
10.5 - 11.5 11
13.5 - 14.5 14
16 - 17
20.2 - 21
23.5 - 24.5 24
27 - 28
30.2 - 31
33.5 - 34.5 34
37 - 38

The magic number based on this would be 11, and because I own this lock, I know this to be true. Now, 11/4=2r3. (r=0,1 add 2 & r=2,3 sub 2)

My first numbers to try should be: 3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31,35,39
My second numbers to try should be: 1,5,9,13,17,21,25,29,33,37

Okay. Now it really is too late for me to get this lock without knowing the combination because I had issues early on. But, after reviewing the videos and reading the help you all posted I have this lock dead on with the instructions provided. It isnt offset by chance... it is 23-1-11 by the mathematical method and by the sticker provided me by Master! Hot dog.

Thanks guys!

Now, can someone offer me help with the Brinks that I bought with this one?

[Boone&Smith]

No help with a Brinks combo? C'mon guys, help a guy out!

[jimmysmith]

heres something to think about.. some master combo locks clear in opposite directions.. ..

I have many of both.

one clears one way and the other ...the other way, it made it a little tricky when trying to find the combo but i have not has a combo lock stop me yet

[BobbO45]

this is exaclty how i do it... and it works very well.. I have dont it about 25 times.. ...

pay attention... write it down... it works..


http://youtube.com/watch?v=zHXgOxSGznE& ... ed&search=

Great link Thanks! I have a padlock I cannot wait to try it on, and also a book that explains a different way to do it for the Master lock 1500 series padlock (older) in which you theoretically only need to try 40 combinations to open the lock.
The way to tell if a Master combination lock is a 1500 series is to look on the back. It should have "Patented," "Milwaukee WIS," and "Made in U.S.A." stamped on the back. If it just has the serial # then it is a newer lock.