Previously (probably several months ago), there was a gun safe thread where the Sargent & Greenleaf mechanical lock was mentioned. It was advised not to spin the dial to reset and lock the safe because something bad could happen to the mechanism.
I have always spun the dial after the door handle is closed to lock the safe. What am I missing?
Mine developed an audible squeak when turning. That was about 25 years after purchase. Read up on them, then decided to get a locksmith to do the servicing. Guy was very reasonable and talked me through it as he cleaned and lubed the parts. Basically, alot of important stuff made of brass. Spinning accelerates movement of lube away from where it's needed. So best to turn the dial less aggressively.
Few important points: when it starts getting stiff or noisy........get it resolved. If you get to the point where it will barely operate, or is stuck after opening, do not close the safe.
IF your mechanical lock does change the combination, locksmiths have a device that mounts on the safe and dials every combination possible until it unlocks the safe. The old way is slow and tedious.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
I might have participated in that old S&G thread. I suppose you could dislodge or misalign things by spinning too fast or violently if a lock has worn parts or is not assembled properly. FWIW, I spin mine.
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IF your mechanical lock does change the combination, locksmiths have a device that mounts on the safe and dials every combination possible until it unlocks the safe. The old way is slow and tedious.
I've heard of such devices that cost thousands of dollars. There are better ways to get in (I'm avoiding using the "C" word) and they're probably quicker than the gadget referred to. Most locksmiths lack the skills and will offer to drill the lock and replace it. I've not seen one with the gadget yet.
Dave in WV, curious how much that auto dialer ran? I don't doubt that a brute force auto dialer gains you entry without damage. But so does an appropriately skilled smith...and probably quicker.
The auto dialer my friend uses doesn't damage the safe. It just goes through every combination possible until the safe opens. When it does the combination is saved by the auto dialer.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Lol! Dave in WV “brute force” in combo locks is exactly what the auto dialer does. (FYI, same principle is applied to computer hacking to get a password and is also called “brute force”).
Ya’ll carry on…I guess the inventors of the auto dialer’s gotta eat too.
Have nigh on 20 years experience with S&G mechanical locks. Lots of good info in this thread. If you maintain and don;t abuse your S&G, it will have the best MTBF of any I have experience with.
Regards,
deadlift_dude “The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.” ----Fred Rogers
