Went to open my 35 year old Fort Knox safe yesterday and the damn thing won't unlock. I went through the ideas Sargent & Greenleaf have online for opening it but no joy. Anyone ever have this issue before? What was the fix if any. I'm tempted to remove the dial and try to get it to open from there but not real sure there is any way to access to locking bolt. Getting a locksmith is not in the cards in my area so I'm afraid I am on my own. I have heard about drilling them but have no idea where to drill and I sure don't want to screw up the door. As a last resort I will give the company a call to see if they have any other ideas. I have no problem with putting a new lock in it if I can get it open. What say you guys? PMs may be better than using the open forum for ideas. Thanks

Work all the numbers a number high for 3 numbers then reverse it

Don’t remove the dial and try to do it yourself you’ll compound the problem

This might not help you, but it sorta works for me.

I have a Browning safe with a S&G lock. The last number in my (all?) combination is "0". The tumbler is sticky and does not fall by itself - I have to quickly rotate the dial 5-6 digits either side of 0 to get the tumbler to fall. To put it scientifically, wiggle the crap out of the dial over the last digit. Centrifugal force is your friend. I have been meaning to get this fixed for the last several years.

I had the same issue years ago, I called the locksmith, he said he was busy and was going to tell me how to get it open myself. He said dial combo, then slam handle as hard as you could to the left (close) and it will open. I tried this like a dozen times and it didn't work. He came over, this guy was like 6'6" and 400 lbs. He said watch, I gave him the combo, he slammed it and the safe opened. He said the good news is your safe is open, the bad news is I have to charge you $50 for a device call!

Sounds like it was worth it.

Don’t try that either you’ll shear the handle

Yup, worth every penny!

If what I told you don’t work after you dial your last number when you turn right to stop try a deadblow hammer

I am pasting a link to a thread that I started almost two years ago about the same issue. My lock is S&G, by the way. I have stopped spinning the dial and I have not had a problem since, using the original combination. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/15656745/

This is fortunate, because I e-mailed Fort Knox about the issue, and I still have not received a response.

Hope this helps.

Once you get it open you may choose to replace the entire lock assembly.

It's not difficult if you're mechanicaly inclined.

This. I have to "wiggle" the dial 5 or 6 numbers left and right of zero to get my tumblers to fall. Don't take the dial off and don't get physical with it. When you get it open lube the lock mechinism with very light oil like RemOil. Mine is due a bit of lube as I had to do the zero "wiggle " the last time I opened it.

kwg

Stop spinning the dial... Slow is smooth and smooth is fast...

Mine wouldn’t open a few years ago. I went on the Liberty website, followed directions they gave and it got right back to working right. Don’t remember the specific operations.

For future reference; never spin the dial. You can mess up the tumblers.
I have some spare S&G lock sets if anyone is in need.
Kenny

Early Bird, thanks for the info on how NOT to try and open a dial that won't work. I've not had that problem but my safe is old so someday I might need the info.

L.W.

Safe locks are a fine tuned mechanical device, and need serviced occasionally based on use and atmosphere. Find a good safe tech and have him service and change combo once in a while. Very well worth the price in the long run.

I've had the mechanical combos on ATM safes 'slip' far enough a few times to cause it not to open. Took trial and error to figure out which number 'slipped', in which direction and how far it slipped to get open. Basically a setscrew is all that keeps the combo numbers on commercial mechanical combo locks secure. The little slash mark off center on front of number dial plate is for resetting / changing combination. Takes a simple but special tool to change/reset combo.

When needed we also used a locksmith who specialized in drilling safes with tripped relockers, unknown or corrupted combo numbers.

It was a rather lengthy and involved process. He took exact measurements of locking mechanism and any other critical dimensions inside door of another identical model safe before drilling. The drilling itself took a good while. A lighted fiber-optic video camera was inserted through drilled hole to view locking mechanisms inner workings and the search for correct combo numbers began. When finished hole was welded up, painted and safe was ready to put in service again.

Some time back I had mine do similar. It ended up being one digit off on all previous numbers. So as mentioned previously, try to check out different numbers in small increments!

Our new safe has an electronic lock…..have a Sargent-Greenleaf sitting on top of the safe to eliminate the electronic lock. I don’t trust electronics! ☹️ memtb

What is the difference between spinning & turning?

I found that when stopping right on my second number, sometimes my safe wouldn't open.

Then hurrying one day, I went past the number by two digits, and it popped right open.

Somehow my second number "slipped" by one digit.

Been opening my safe almost daily for over 20 years. Might be time to have a lock smith come out and lube and check it out.

Virgil B.

Pretty much already been said, but I have a safe that doesn't always open when the correct numbers are dialed. Sometimes if I shake the door a little after the last number, it will open. I figured the tumblers are sticking.

Same thing happened to me, one of the numbers had drifted. I did not know that you weren't supposed to spin, so I'm not going to do that anymore.

This has been a great wake up call for me. Thanks for starting the thread. I have a Weatherby safe (AMSEC) in my house for over 20 years. It has a S&G mechanical lock that has never given me any trouble or been serviced. Called the local locksmith that AMSEC recommended. They are coming out on Friday to do a full service. They suggested that I get it serviced every two or three years, but I think that is too often based on my current experience/use.

You spin the Price is Right wheel. You turn a safe lock without ever removing your fingers from it.

You might try to rattle/shake the mechanism that retracts the locking bolts. Sometimes that applies a bit of pressure that prevents the S&G lock to release...

As mentioned don't spin the dial fast. I believe the centrifugal force of doing that messes up the lock numbers. Try adding a digit to the middle number I believe fixed mine.