Safe cracking, anyone?
 

I have an old floor-standing fire safe for which I found the key but lost the combination. Has anyone worked as a locksmith or other occupation that would help me to crack the combination? Im getting quotes high & higher so it's worth me trying it myself for a bit. The safe contents aren't worth much (old software I wrote) but I'd like to be able to use the safe again for paperwork. I'll post a picture if that'd help.

I personally don't know much about it but this site may help you figure it out. At least it is worth a try before paying someone to do it.

richard feynman describes his self-learning experiences with lock and safe cracking in his memoir "surely you're joking, mr. feynman."

may be worth a read for learning how to teach yourself.

theres only 125,000 possibilities for the combo (assuming the numbers are only 0-49 and its a 3 number combination)... if you can average about 6 combinations a minute your guaranteed to find the combo in less then a year... :lol:

He's always worth a read.

I started my graphs this morning. Won't be able to finish for a week or so but I'll report back here if I've decided to switch jobs. :)

Are you able to wedge something in between the door of the safe and the frame? It doesn't have to go in far, just enough to allow you to apply some outward pressure on the safe door...

If so, and it is an older rotary combination safe, it should be relatively easy to find the combination.

No decent locksmith who's worth anything would tell someone on the internet how to open a safe. While it's true that fire safes are less secure than burglary safes, the main difference is the tamper resistance. There's still a process to go through to properly unlock the safe, do any repairs needed, including maintaining it's fire integrity. These things are not free if you expect a professional job with a professional outcome.

I'd be more than willing to give you what a fair price for opening and repairing should be if you post a picture so I can identify it. I've been a locksmith and safe tech for many years.

Regards

Either that, or some strips of plastic explosive should do it.

Do you remember anything about the combination?

For example, many safes have a combination that is something like 3 turns right to (X), 2 turns left to (Y), 1 turn right to (Z). If you can remember that sequence then it might be worth a shot at guessing the combination. You can probably safely (no pun intended!) assume that there is a 1 or 2 number window to each side of the correct number that will work to open the safe, so you don't have to try every number, maybe just every 3rd number. I have a feeling that would still take you a few dozen years, but it's a start. ;)

We own a locksmith shop, what's the name on the safe? Some safe manufacturers keep records of ORIGINAL combinations but you need a locksmith to call in the serial number for you to get the comb. There is usually a charge of somewhere around $40 for the comb. If it's ever been changed, this obviously won't work.

If we have to drill a safe (and if the comb is lost that's usually what you have to do, the TV/stethoscope thing is just that, TV) we start at around $150 for the labor to open it, plus charges for repairs to the lock.

If you do find a name on the safe & serial number, you can contact your local locksmith or the company itself, they may tell you what locksmith you should contact in your area to get the combination.