Forgot how to dial the combination on that old safe? Think you got the right numbers but the handle is stuck? What safe should you buy? Ask your safe questions here!
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I picked up a new S&G 8077 to use as a gym lock. As it came with the default combination (25) set, I wanted to set an actual combination. Just as a test, I attempted to set it to 10-20-30 (and did honor the change index). Unfortunately, I did something wrong and I can't open it after 2 hours of trying.
I do have the change window still open, but don't have a reset key and can't find a place to buy one (I do have a change key). I would think I should be able to recover the combination by watching the wheels, but I have not noticed anything obvious, and I haven't been able to find good cutaway pics of this lock. Can anyone either help me recover the combination, or point me to a place I can get a reset key? Thanks!
[Moved from Beginner Lockpicking Questions to This Old Safe since it doesnt have much to do with "lock picking"]
Did you set the combination with the proper dialing order of 4L 3R 2L or just Left Right Left like a high school locker?
Dial 10-20-30 to the change index mark and look in the back change key hole to see if the hole in the wheels is aligned on all 3 wheels.
Sometimes these locks like a quick sharp pull on the shackle to open them, and you are dialing back to 0 after you dial 10-20-30, correct? and when changing the combo, did you set it to 10-20-30 and dial 0 to the change index before turning the key and removing it?
Squelchtone wrote:[Moved from Beginner Lockpicking Questions to This Old Safe since it doesnt have much to do with "lock picking"]
Did you set the combination with the proper dialing order of 4L 3R 2L or just Left Right Left like a high school locker?
Dial 10-20-30 to the change index mark and look in the back change key hole to see if the hole in the wheels is aligned on all 3 wheels.
Sometimes these locks like a quick sharp pull on the shackle to open them, and you are dialing back to 0 after you dial 10-20-30, correct? and when changing the combo, did you set it to 10-20-30 and dial 0 to the change index before turning the key and removing it?
Squelchtone
PS. Gordon types too fast!
I thought I went the right number - but obviously I did something wrong. I am dialing back to 0 to open - I don't think I dialed back to 0 before removing the change key. What state would that put it in?
The holes aren't aligned on all 3 - the wheel nearest me (I guess number 3?) is solid brass
When you say hole, you are referring to the round, steel (or similar) trimmed hole, correct? Also can anyone point me to a video of a cutaway of this lock operating - I think if I could see how the mechanism worked, this would be easy.
Those didn't work. Did you mean the round hole? If so, that seems to line up with the change hole when the opening index is set to 40 - is that info useful? I also can get the change key in the hole and turn it 90 degrees, but can only rotate the dial 3 turns - is that info useful?
TheMaze wrote:Those didn't work. Did you mean the round hole? If so, that seems to line up with the change hole when the opening index is set to 40 - is that info useful? I also can get the change key in the hole and turn it 90 degrees, but can only rotate the dial 3 turns - is that info useful?
not really, Im not there in front of it with you so its hard to follow, but i did just set my 8077 to 10-20-30 and I cant open it either, but I did manage to dial the combination and then slowly turn from the last number (30) down to 0 and kept pulling on the shackle every 5 numbers and at 0 it actually opened, but was harder than normal. I tried again and can't repeat it.
try dialing 10-20-35, and also 15-25-35 as a combo, then back to 0 and pull hard on the shackle..
While dialing the combos Squelchtone recommends, try dialing them to the change index, and see if all the holes line up with the change key hole. If not, which wheel, and by how many numbers?
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
Also, I've been dialing a half number off on the combinations and these locks are well made and are a a bit picky about how dead on your dial the combination. I can dial 10-20-30-0 now and get it open every time, just have to really make sure I stop right on each number. Perhaps while setting 10-20-30 you really set 9-20-30 or 10-21-30 or 10-20-31 so try slight variations, then go back to 0 and pull sharply on the shackle.
I am sure that similar procedure as with the reset key can be done wit the change key - when you know how the wheels work and how to rotate the wheels in desired direction when wheel #3 (and after that, #2) is blocked with the change key.
I wrote a whole description of such procedure, but my browser collapsed and I have lost the text. Lazy to write it again...
BTW, a nice description of how the dial lock works you can find in Feynman's Surely you are joking, Mr. Feynman! - my favorite book
I've pretty much gotten to the point where I'm sick of wasting time on this - can anyone point me to a place I can buy a reset key? All I've found is http://www.lockpicks.com/gsa-type-safe- ... y-set.html which is a bit overkill (and more expensive) for my needs.
TheMaze wrote:I've pretty much gotten to the point where I'm sick of wasting time on this - can anyone point me to a place I can buy a reset key? All I've found is http://www.lockpicks.com/gsa-type-safe- ... y-set.html which is a bit overkill (and more expensive) for my needs.
I think you can get a 8077 change key and file it down to make it a reset key. That thing you found is great but over kill.
TheMaze wrote:I've pretty much gotten to the point where I'm sick of wasting time on this - can anyone point me to a place I can buy a reset key? All I've found is http://www.lockpicks.com/gsa-type-safe- ... y-set.html which is a bit overkill (and more expensive) for my needs.
The first reply to your opening post still stands.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
