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Easy to open (by feel) combination locks

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Easy to open (by feel) combination locks

Postby Jaden Black » 21 Aug 2008 4:57

Hi everyone,

I am a magical performer and I need to find a batch of resettable combination locks to match certain criteria.

Once the code has been set I will need to be able to place pressure onto the hasp and turn the numbered dials until they lock into place at each pin sequentially. Once opened I will be able to turn the lock around and show the number that it was set to by the spectator.

So what I am asking is your advice on the least secure easy to open combination padlocks; and where I could purchase them.

An odd request I know!

Many thanks in advance,

-JB
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Postby cheesehead » 21 Aug 2008 18:01

hmmm - that could be a tough one. I'm not aware of any resettable combo locks aside from seasame type combo locks. And those locks will need to be decoded. most dial type locks are factory preset with the combination. The better ones will have false gates, making the type of attack you are describing very difficult. there are some cheaper ones found places like walgreens, that do not have false gates, and are pretty easy to open by feel. somebody else here might know of a lock that would fit your needs, but to the best of my knowledge, I don't even know if a cheap resettable combo lock like that exists. you could always purchase a few cheap ones and let your audience volunteer be the first to open the package... but that might get a bit expensive after a while.
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Postby Trip Doctor » 21 Aug 2008 20:53

Usually compact, common, combo locks don't have resettable combinations. However, if you do find a suitable lock with a resettable combination, you could try to take it apart, if possible, and experiment with griding down the wheels, inside, such that their diameters have a significant difference. It would be a drag though, it might be easier thinking of a slightly different magic trick. :P
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Postby Jaden Black » 22 Aug 2008 0:31

Thank you so much for your help guys.

The type of combination lock that I mean is not the dial type but the brass type with 3 or 4 'wheels'.

There is one currently on the magical market that does what I am asking, however, the price is so steep that it would mean that I would be better off not doing the effect.

I have picked up a few cheap resettable brass padlocks from various stores here in the UK. With a few of them I can place pressure onto the hasp and by turning the 'wheel' furthest to the right around it will lock into place. Then the number next to it will do the same. Sadly the other two numbers do not the same.

You mention opening up the padlock; is there a way to do this without damaging it?

Your help in this matter is really appreciated guys.

JB
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Postby Pikku_Allu » 22 Aug 2008 14:44

Simple luggage locks are pretty weak. Even my 6 years old little bro opened the lock in the picture when I told him that its right number when you hear loud *click* :D

But noe I can open it so easily since its so old and worn out :(

Image

freakparade3 edit to fix link
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Postby Pikku_Allu » 22 Aug 2008 14:47

erherm.... looks like its impossible to edit your comments...
eat this url then >:D
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff139/Pikku_Allu/?action=view&current=PIC_0171.jpg
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Postby freakparade3 » 22 Aug 2008 14:55

Pikku_Allu wrote:erherm.... looks like its impossible to edit your comments...


You can't, but I can. :wink:
Image
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Postby Urbex » 22 Aug 2008 16:31

You can try looking into the "Masterlock 620D".

As far as I know you can reset the combination, and by pulling on the shackle you can open it in no time.
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Postby nothumbs » 22 Aug 2008 16:47

I'll second the Masterlock 620D, this is trivial to open by feel. You might also consider the Victorinox Swiss Army TSA lock
http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Pages/Product.aspx?category=travelaccessoriessecurity&product=35130&
which is also trivial to open and can be reset.
It's a good day when I learn something new.
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Postby Trip Doctor » 23 Aug 2008 21:57

I don't think you'll be able to open the new ones by "feeling for a click", because all the new (well.. the ones they typically sell at the store nowadays - however old or new they are) ones have false gates. If there's room between the wheel and the casing though, it's a lot easier to just look in between there for a gate that's bigger than all the other ones. Also, try searching for 'sesame pick' or 'sesame decoder' - not sure if a variation of that would be applicable for a magic trick though.
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Postby Trip Doctor » 23 Aug 2008 22:05

Oops I didn't notice the link in the post above.

Nothumbs, do you know if that Swiss Army lock has any false gates? At stores here they sell them for like 3 bucks (vs suggested 25 retail on that one) and even they have false gates, which kind of prevents the "feeling for the click" (although you can try other things like feeling/estimating the shackle movement). How did you open yours?
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Postby Jaden Black » 24 Aug 2008 3:20

WOW! Thank you all so much for all of this wonderful help.

I have ordered a master lock to see just how easy it is to open. The customers who reviewed it gave it just a single star and complained that it could be opened i an matter of seconds.

Would false gateways prevent the wheel from locking into place? I am less interested in feeling clicks, and more interested in the wheel locking into place.

Many Thanks,

-JB
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Postby datagram » 24 Aug 2008 5:29

Jaden Black wrote:WOW! Thank you all so much for all of this wonderful help.

I have ordered a master lock to see just how easy it is to open. The customers who reviewed it gave it just a single star and complained that it could be opened i an matter of seconds.

Would false gateways prevent the wheel from locking into place? I am less interested in feeling clicks, and more interested in the wheel locking into place.

Many Thanks,

-JB


The false gates are meant to trick you into thinking you have the correct combination, thus making it harder to feel which gate is actually correct.
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Postby nothumbs » 24 Aug 2008 10:53

I've not taken the lock apart. Both locks may have false gates, since when one is attempting to open them by feel by putting upward pressure on the hasp, one can feel more than one 'place' for each wheel. This is just a minor annoyance in finding the correct place for each wheel given the low tolerances in the lock. You just need to work your way up and down the wheels to find the 'binding' wheel, rotate it until you feel the slight catch or upward movement of the hasp, and move to the next wheel.
It's a good day when I learn something new.
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Postby aka.decoy » 25 Aug 2008 1:54

Nice to see another illusionist. I used to do a bit of close-up myself, and I have to ask. Is the intent of the trick to show mentalism (coming up with their number) or to show your skill of opening a combo lock? I'm sure you know presentation is 80% of the illusion. When you open the lock, is it visible to the spectator? If so, it may seem less like mentalism and more like feel.

You could dress it up, ask them to concentrate on the number, and then you stop wherever you feel it, as if they sent the number to you. Only problem with mentalism effects is you need to absolutely know, or know that you will know the outcome, otherwise you're often left feeling quite embarrassed.

SORRY THIS IS GETTING LONG! I'M ALMOST DONE

Of course I could be going completely in the wrong direction with this post, if I am, I apologize.

One thing I have done before with guessing numbers with a group was using 'forces'. I'm sure you know what they are. You could apply that with setting the combination. Force the spectator or the group a number of cards that correspond with the amount of numbers in the combination, and have the spectator(s) set the combo to the cards they are holding.

Okay. This is the lockpicking forum. I think I'll stop before I get yelled at. :)
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