Problems Fitting an S+G Lock to a Safe

[sign216]

Fitting a recent S+G 6730 lock to a safe, and the ring dial and dial backing appear to mesh together, so they can't rotate. WTF?
The ring dial has a nub, that fits right into the ring, which prevents the dial from turning unless the ring turns with it. That can't be right?!
Any ideas?
Joe

[Safecrackin Sammy]

If what you have is a true S&G 6730, it looks like you may have the wrong dial packed with it. That style dial is not normal with the standard 6730 lock package which normally comes with the convertible D300 series dials.

The dial you have appears to be a D054 which is used with the 8500 series lock group 1. The 8500 series lock requires the dial to be pushed in at zero as part of the manipulation function which is why there is a tab on the dial, and an indent in the dial ring bushing. There is a spring that keeps the dial pressed away from the indent until the dial is at zero.

Is the lock a factory packed assembly and if so what is the model number on the box?

If your lock is a true 6730 package, you can dremel off the tab on the dial until its smooth and flush and it will work fine.

[sign216]

Sammy,
I bought this as new old stock, but it came in pieces, not in factory packaging, so anything is possible. It's odd that an 8500 dial would get mixed in with an 6730 lock, but hey, this is what happens.

If cutting off the tab will make it work, then I am happy to do it. Thank you for the information.
Joe

[Safecrackin Sammy]

Sounds like someone pieced the lock together and got the wrong parts.

Good luck with it.

[sign216]

Sounds like someone pieced the lock together and got the wrong parts.

Good luck with it.

That's a fair guess. Man must have cobbled together some parts he had, and sold it as a complete unit.
I got a good price, and if I can make it work by cutting of that nub on the dial ring then all's well.

Joe

[Raymond]

You might have to deal with an extra, unexpected problem. I am currently using an S&G 2937 dial on a 6730 lock and I really like the looks and feel. I did cut off the bump. But then I had to use the spring and the anti-friction washer to float the dial to keep it from rubbing on the dial ring. You can probably find a locksmith close to you who can supply the spring and a couple of washers. Look for someone who advertises being a "GSA certified safe and vault technician". I keep several from locks I have had to drill open.

[sign216]

Raymond,

Great to hear from someone who's been down this road, especially since I'm new to this. I don't think I'll be able to get those lock parts (spring and washers) from a local locksmith. I actually started a thread on problems getting parts, see thread titled Boston Locksmith from last week. A search online doesn't show an online vendor either.

The spring and washers aren't special, aside from their dimensions, are they? I've got a S+G 8500 lock kit that I picked up, and am reselling. Could I measure the 8500 spring/washer dimensions, and get a similar spring and washer from Grainger, or other industrial supply place? Does this sound reasonable?

Joe

[sign216]

Installing a used or NOS 6730 lock into a safe. I'm assembling it see how everything fits, but I've got a problem. The lock is mounted in a Vertical Down (VD) position, but it appears that the correct slot in the drive cam is really Left Horizontal (LH). It is at this slot that when combo is dialed, turn dial to right to 0 (fence falls into the gate), and then turn a little more right to bring up the bolt, leaving the dial approx. at 90.

Let me give the background: 6730 lock kit bought as a package, but come to find out it really has a 8500 dial and spindle. I ground the nub off the dial back, and am getting the dial spring and washers from a generous forum member (thanks Raymond!). The lock's wheels are all set to one combination, and the 8500 spindle has two spline slots, 180 degrees apart.

With the spline key at LH in the cam, the lock appears to be correct; the combo is 45, 45, 45, turn right to 0 and the bolt pulls up and unlocks. The only issue is that the lock is really installed in a VD position.

Is this okay, or am I missing something?

Joe

[MartinHewitt]

My guess is, the 8500 dial has it's groove not at 50. I don't have a 8500 dial here, but a 2937 lock. The drive cam of the 2937 has the VU/VD groove, where the R6730 drive cam has the RH groove.

PS: I think the 8500 series dial has grooves at 25 and 75, while the standard dial has only one at 50.

[cledry]

If you had taken the parts to Boston Lock they would have told you that they weren't correct. You could buy the correct dial and dial ring then.

[MartinHewitt]

I don't think Boston Lock sells parts.

[sign216]

Here is a picture of the drive cam, temporarily in place. The bolt in vertical down, but the dial corresponds "to 0 to close" only when the spline is in Left Horiz (LH).
Joe

[image]S+G 6730 Lock by sign216, on Flickr[/image]

[stratmando]

Can you insert spline key 180 from where it is now, and have majority of key over the shaft?
Looks like key may interfere with Fence?

[MartinHewitt]

The normal direction of the spline key is to the outside as shown in this video: https://youtu.be/mjmLG8tNfWQ?t=743

The spline key rides then on the circle on the back cover.

[stratmando]

Can't edit post, do see it's retracted