Is this normal for a S&G Lock?

[sign216]

I bought an S&G 6730 lock set off Ebay. No combo, no history. Al included except for the bushing and spindle flag. Not pristine, but judging from the unblemished spindle end, looks never installed.

But...when I rotate the wheels left or right many turns, all of the wheels end up at the same point, lining up the wheel gates in synch. So that the gates automatically align to open up, without even landing on a combo number.

Is this lock missing fly wheels? Is the lock broken or miss-assembled? I thought that even if each wheel is set to the same number, they should pick up at separate points.

Please educate me.
Joe

[Squelchtone]

I bought an S&G 6730 lock set off Ebay. No combo, no history. Al included except for the bushing and spindle flag. Not pristine, but judging from the unblemished spindle end, looks never installed.

But...when I rotate the wheels left or right many turns, all of the wheels end up at the same point, lining up the wheel gates in synch. So that the gates automatically align to open up, without even landing on a combo number.

Is this lock missing fly wheels? Is the lock broken or miss-assembled? I thought that even if each wheel is set to the same number, they should pick up at separate points.

Please educate me.
Joe

Your lock is set to the same combination on all 3 wheels.. 50-50-50 usually.

the spindle flag is called a spline key, it goes into the spline milled into the spindle.

the bushing is called a dial ring bearing.

I'm also moving your post to This Old Safe, as it is in the Ask beginner lock picking questions area and this isnt really a lock picking question, and we want to keep the forum nice and tidy for future visitors.

Squelchtone

[sign216]

Squelch,

Thanks for the info. So, if each wheel is set to the same number, then the whole purpose of the lock is defeated? I.e. Just spinning the dial brings each wheel to the open gate position without even having to dial in the 2nd and 3rd numbers?

Just doesn't seem right, but what do I know.

Joe

[MartinHewitt]

You can change the combination. When all wheels are set to the same number this is easier to do. When you have change the combination it doesn't matter anymore.

[Squelchtone]

Squelch,

Thanks for the info. So, if each wheel is set to the same number, then the whole purpose of the lock is defeated? I.e. Just spinning the dial brings each wheel to the open gate position without even having to dial in the 2nd and 3rd numbers?

Just doesn't seem right, but what do I know.

Joe

Its usually done when a lock is new or when it is on a safe taken out of service so if it is still mounted on a safe and the door gets locked by someone without the old combination, any safeman they call up who knows about the 50-50-50 way of doing things, can walk up and try 50 50 50 and have it open in 1 minute, versus having to manipulate or drill the safe for 4 hours. In use nobody would hopefully have it set like that or any of the usual easy to guess combinations such as 20-40-60 or 10-20-30 or 25-50-75

think of it this way, when you buy a little luggage 3 wheel combination padlock, it is usually set to 0-0-0 and you have to press a pin in a hole or turn the shackle or push it down in order to dial in your own new combination -0-6-9 or something clever and then release the pin or twist the shackle to set the new combo in stone. 50-50-50 is the same sort of thing..

[MartinHewitt]

And btw. to change the combination you need a change key like that shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1lddQnbXNY

[stratmando]

If spline is inserted 180 from what it is now the fence would be at the Gate.
Could be a good thing for Grandma in a Bad neighborhood, Turn Dial more than three time to the left, stop on 20, Turn right to open, then break out the Uzi. I may have to do that for myself in near Future, when 4 numbers is too much to remember?

[sign216]

Fine, so it appears that all of the wheels are set to the same number.
I'll change them, and solve this issue.
Thank you for responding.
If that doesn't work, I'll post here and see what the community says.
Joe

[stratmando]

To verify, turn wheels left several revolutions and see if it is fly's picking up next wheel, then opposite direction. Think you already have it