Reset the combination on McCaskey Safe

[GWiens2001]

Not a lot of leeway. I'd guess max of 4, but it may be 2. (+- 1 number). Some older ones have wider tolerances.

Gordon

[Btuchman]

Thanks. But looking for advice on where to position the lever in the wheel gate

[GWiens2001]

Thanks. But looking for advice on where to position the lever in the wheel gate

Dial the combination as normal, then remove the back cover and look at the gates under the fence. You will probably see that one or more are slightly blocking the fence from dropping. Whichever wheel is blocking, the combination number related to that wheel will need to be adjusted. If, viewed from the back with the cover off, the dial is too far clockwise, then reduce that number by 1 at a time until it lines up with the other gates. If it is too far counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise in some parts of the world), then add 1 number at a time until it lines up.

Your goal at first is to get all the gates to line up perfectly. It doesn't matter if the gates are not in the right spot yet. Once all the gates are lined up perfectly, then you can look at where they are compared to the fence position. Just like moving the individual wheels to line up the gate, if all the gates are too far clockwise, reduce ALL THE COMBINATION NUMBERS by 1 at a time. For too far counter-clockwise, increase ALL THE COMBINATION NUMBERS by 1 at a time until all the gates line up under the the fence.

Gordon

[Btuchman]

FYI: I just found this info on the safe I acquired.

Antique Safe The McCaskey Register Co. (Alliance, Ohio) The McCaskey Register Company was founded by Perry McCaskey on Rush Street in Alliance, OH in 1903. They mainly produced wooden and then metal cash registers until bought by the Victor Adding Machine Company in 1953. This is a rare example of one of their safes. These are hard to come by. I did not find another one available for sale. On casters and with working 4 number combination Outer dimensions: 47" high (including casters) X 30" deep (including handle/dial) X 25-1/2" wide Inner dimensions: 34-1/2" high X 22" deep X 18-1/2" wide Inside has shelves, drawers, and a compartment (no keys) Keys for inner drawers/compartment can be made at minimal expense There is some surface rust toward the bottom. Nothing you wouldn't expect from a safe that's almost 100 years old. This safe has a nice combination of rarity and style for you to protect your most precious valuables. Offered for local pick-up only. Thanks for looking! !

https://ibb.co/tTR2tfD1

[Btuchman]

Thanks. But looking for advice on where to position the lever in the wheel gate

Dial the combination as normal, then remove the back cover and look at the gates under the fence. You will probably see that one or more are slightly blocking the fence from dropping. Whichever wheel is blocking, the combination number related to that wheel will need to be adjusted. If, viewed from the back with the cover off, the dial is too far clockwise, then reduce that number by 1 at a time until it lines up with the other gates. If it is too far counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise in some parts of the world), then add 1 number at a time until it lines up.

Your goal at first is to get all the gates to line up perfectly. It doesn't matter if the gates are not in the right spot yet. Once all the gates are lined up perfectly, then you can look at where they are compared to the fence position. Just like moving the individual wheels to line up the gate, if all the gates are too far clockwise, reduce ALL THE COMBINATION NUMBERS by 1 at a time. For too far counter-clockwise, increase ALL THE COMBINATION NUMBERS by 1 at a time until all the gates line up under the the fence.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon.

[GWiens2001]

Thanks Gordon.

No problem!

Gordon

[Btuchman]

I followed the instructions that Squelchtone posted a dozen times and no luck on getting it to open.
I did everything in different ways and no luck.
Is there another method of finding the combo with the back open and the locking mechanism exposed.
I was away but will start looking at it again.
Thanks
Bruce

[Btuchman]

I know you can't see what I am doing but I tried these steps below every which way I can with no luck. Is there another step by step process that I can try.
It is currently zero degrees here in upstate NY so will get back to work on the safe when it warms up a bit in my garage.
Thanks
Bruce

Your lock's dialing order will be:

Right 4 times to the first number
Left 3 times to the second number
Right 2 times to the third number
Left 1 until dial stops turning and the lock bolt is retracted


Since your lock is in the open state right now, start by clearing the lock. This will push the bolt out to the lock position, and it will start the wheels turning so the combination is what we call "cleared" Turn the dial Right at least 4 full times around and then stop turning the dial.

You do not have to start at 0 or anything like that.

Steps to figure out existing combination:

1. Start turning Right and watch the mechanism inside the door as you do so, first the drive wheel will start turning, then it will pick up wheel #3, keep on turning, this will then pick up wheel #2, and then finally as you keep turning it will pick up wheel #1. As you keep turning Right (Clockwise) watch the lock mechanism for wheel #1 (the one deepest in the wheel pack, and watch when it's gate (the cutout in the wheel) is aligned with the flipper fence, which is that spring loaded boomerang shaped piece that rides along the outer perimeter of the wheel pack.

2. Stop dialing Right just as the wheel gate of wheel #1 is aligned with the fence.

3. Look at the dial and make a note of what number is on the dial at the opening index dash, which should be located at 12 o'clock. Write this number down, it is the first number of your combination.

4. Now start turning the dial Left (Counter-Clockwise) and you'll see the driver wheel start turning, then it will pick up wheel #3, and as you keep turning the dial Left, you'll see wheel #2 start to turn.

5. Turn the dial slowly because you do not want to overshoot where the wheel #2 gate aligns with the flipper fence. You may need a flashlight on the wheel pack to see things better.

6. Stop turning the dial when the wheel #2 gate is aligned with the fence.

7. Look at the dial and write down the number at the opening index at 12 o'clock. Next we'll find the third number of the combination.

8. Now start turning the dial Right, and watch the drive cam start turning. As it starts to pick up wheel #3, dial slowly, so again you do not overshoot where the wheel gate aligns with the fence.

9. Keep turning the dial until wheel #3's gate is aligned with the fence. Stop turning the dial and make a note of the number the dial is on on the opening index mark at 12 o'clock. At this point you should notice that all 3 combination wheels have their gates aligned with each other and the fence ready to drop into them.

10. Lastly to allow the fence to fall into the wheel gates and to then retract the bolt, start turning the dial Left and you will see the drive cam start turning, keep turning it slowly until the fence falls into its gate, and into the wheel gates, and continue turning until the lock bolt is retracted.

11. If at this point, the fence falls into the gates, but the dial stops and you cannot retract he lock bolt, you may have encountered a security mechanism called a Relocker, which is meant to trigger like a trip wire in the event a burglar somehow removed the back cover of the lock.

12. If your lock has a relocker, it will have a spring loaded metal tab under the bolt, and you'll need to push on it with a screwdriver, while at the same time turning the dial Left to complete retracting the bolt.
If you have the cover and the cover has a thin round metal post welded to it, that post is what presses on the relocker to keep it from getting triggered. Using location of that metal post welded to the cover will show you where you need to depress inside the lock to overcome the fired relocker.

You have now figured out the combination to your lock.

Squelchtone