Troubleshooting A Safe That does not openAfter making sure you have the correct combination
In '93 I tried to crack a combination lock using the robotics kits we. I have an old Mosler safe having 4 numbers with values from 0-99. Safe Cracking, Safe Repair and Safe Combination change. Have a look at this Antique Mosler Safe Lockout job that we did recently. How To Crack An Antique Mosler Safe.
- Depending on the owner's needs, a safe may be wall-mounted, set into (and seemingly under) the floor or simply bolted to the ground. Fire safes are reinforced with fire retardant materials but have little in the way of actual protection against unwanted entry. The typical burglary safe is built to withstand a considerable attack.
- Jun 27, 2016 It looks like the old (then) Mosler safe in the 1930s photo that google images returns. Luckily the handle turns and it opens, although the dial knob is completely seized. Once I get the safe home, not sure how yet, especially as one cast iron rear wheel is cracked off and missing), I plan to restore it.
The first thing to do is check the handle and door. The handle should wiggle a little and the door should have a small amount of play so that it can be moved in and out slightly. Anything that might seem too snug might be a cause of 'Back pressure' and even if the lock is ready to unlock, parts that would need to move freely inside the door cannot move because they are being held by what we will call 'Back pressure'. Try pushing in on the door while wiggling the handle or putting more pressure on the handle in the direction it normally locks or moving the handle so it seems to be in a more neutral position that is no longer putting 'Back pressure' on the lock bolt could help.
Next we can try to determine if it is the lock actually malfunctioning. An indication of a lock malfunctioning could be that after the combination is dialed correctly, the dial stops, but it does not stop at the usual number and the safe is not opening. This can also be the result of 'Back pressure' and could be other things as well. Try moving the handle while turning the dial at the same time. When wiggling the handle does not free up the dial to allow turning it to the opening number and unlocking the safe, you should stop and call a skilled safe technician because there are other problems.
WARNING: Do not turn the dial with excessive torque or use pliers. You will almost certainly break something and create a more serious problem.
When the combination is dialed and the lock does not stop on the last turn as it should, there can be many reasons. Basically, the parts inside the lock are most likely not aligning correctly to engage the mechanism that pulls the bolt in and unlocks the lock.
Move the handle before you dial. After dialing the third number, as you are turning the dial toward the last or opening number, turn the dial very slowly while you wiggle the handle back and forth briskly. The vibration might help to engage the mechanisms. Stop turning the dial briefly at the number 7 and give a few extra wiggles to the handle before you continue to turn the dial further.
Try adding a number to each number in the combination, then try subtracting a number, then try adding or subtracting 2 numbers. Try adding a number to only one number at a time or in different variations of the numbers plus and minus 1 or 2 numbers. Wiggling the handle as described in the previous paragraph while dialing these different combinations can help.
If the dial stops as it should and the safe is still not opening, stop there and contact a skilled safe technician.
When the lock seems unlocked and the handle moves only slightly more than before the lock was unlocked, yet it is still not enough to open the door, this may be indicating that the lock is working correctly and that the problem is more likely caused from the bolt works inside the door malfunctioning.
Best advice for this problem is to have a skilled safe technician provide service.
About the Simple or Obvious
Step away from the safe for a few moments and think about any obvious reasons for the lock not unlocking or the door not opening.
Could the numbers have been changed and perhaps that information was not forwarded to you ?
Mosler Safe Models
Do you have the right combination and are you dialing it correctly ?
We have seen this can be the cause of a problem often enough that it is worth considering.
If you are part of a management team, verify that no changes were made and that you are using the correct steps with someone else.
Cached
Has the safe been progressively getting harder to open ?
Antique Mosler Safe Locks
This was a good indication that eventually failure was inevitable. Contacting an expert safe technician for emergency services instead of routine service is often costlier. Open safes are always easier to service.
On a combination lock with a dial, the dial ring which is mounted against the door beneath the dial and has the line marked at the top should not be loose, if it is loose, it could have moved enough that your combination numbers no longer align the wheels inside properly. You might be able to adjust it back to the proper position or you can try adjusting the combination numbers by plus or minus 1 or 2 numbers as suggested in an earlier paragraph. A loose dial ring will still need a skilled safe technician to repair.
The above are only a few common issues to troubleshoot for and should you get the safe open, consider contacting a safe tech before you close or lock the door. Open safes are much easier to service
Skilled safe technicians usually have many methods they might try to get your safe open before having to resort to drilling.
When a professional safe technician does have to drill, the drilling does not usually destroy the entire safe. Often with replacement of a malfunctioning lock and plugging the hole, repairs can usually put a worthy safe back in service.
We Recommend contacting BOSTON LOCK & SAFE CO. For expert safe Technicians or Referrals