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How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:11 pm
by scudo
I knew something would drag me back, been busy selling house abroad and a refit in this one.
Anyhow neighbour has asked for my help to unlock this 4-digit padlock, his wife opened it and swung the shackle 180 degress turned the combination dials and reset a new code, all by mistake. So the padlock is now locked with an unknown combination.

I have tried with tension on the shackle and trying to feel for some give while rotating the dials, got nowhere.
Tried with thin metal to feel between the dials for the correct number but cant feel anything.
The small hole on top of the padlock next to the shackle is blocked as I thought maybe shim it.

It is an unknown brand.

Any other ideas welcome.

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Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 5:34 pm
by Neilau
Nice to see you back.

I have several of this type of lock but not this particular brand.

The way I open them is to pull on the shackle till the wheels will just turn and when the wheel sticks ie won't turn in either direction, move to the next one.

The tension has to be just right so that the wheels are a bit stiff to turn.

On a couple that I have come across the combo is lined up on the face of the lock and you have to turn each wheel one step to the side to get it to open.

On the ones that I have seen you can't shim them as there is no notch on the shackle or (shit can't think of the name... locking pawl ??) to go into it. The locking function is done by the wheels. That is. the shackle is only locked on one side.

Like I said, the locks that I have are a different brand (and smaller I think) but this technique works on them.

Hope that helps.

BTW How big is the lock?

Keep us posted.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:18 am
by scudo
The full length of the padlock is 10cms (4 inches)
The brass body measures 5 x 5 cms (2 x 2 inches)

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:56 am
by 10ringo10
good to see you back :D hard to stay away from the fun -

no advice as you seem to have thrown every known method at it all ready - one for the butchers knife

would be interesting to see what,s inside this one - some times required to gain a bit of insight and fun to boot

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 4:50 am
by MightyMouse
You could brute force it in 3 hours! Statistically half that time.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:22 am
by jharveee

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:36 pm
by scudo
Using neilau`s technique I think I may have got the first digit as with tight tension on the shackle and rotating slowly I get a definite click and what appears a slight give on the shackle. That at least reduces the brute force requirement (if necessary) down to 3 digits.

jharveee Already watched those video clips but there is no space for the bobbypin.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 3:34 pm
by jharveee
Sounds like you"re making progress.
The one I have opened were by pulling on the shackle.
Its a lot like single pin picking.
Apply tension
Find the wheel that's binding, rotate that wheel till you feel the shackle move or hear a click.(this wheel now set, leave it alone)
Find the next binding wheel and rotate till it clicks(sets).
Repeat

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 1:43 pm
by scudo
Still locked :-( I am convinced that 2 of the wheel numbers I found and after a couple of days of trying still no luck, so, I went back to the 2 numbers I was convinced were correct and `brute forced` the remaining 2, still locked.
I then found where the neighbour bought this lock and in the reviews a few have stated that the lock would not unlock after a couple of weeks, so I am beginning to think there is a fault in it.
I will still have a play with it while it sits on my desk though, I may get lucky.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 5:38 pm
by Neilau
If you get, what you think, are the numbers try moving all wheels one click to the right then back and one click to the left.

Some times when the numbers lock up, they lock up one place away from the mark and have to be advanced or retarded one digit.

I got a three wheel lock once by just randomly twirling the wheels while I was watching TV. Just random spinning, not even looking. Second night it opened. Probably took a couple of hours in total but eventually I hit the right combo. If all else fails...........

Good luck.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:59 pm
by scudo
Neilau, I have tried that but still no luck, interestingly though I have a couple of combo 4-digit cheap bicycle locks and using the suggested techniques I can get those combos quite easily. This particular padlock is not expensive so I doubt but maybe a possibility that there could there be some sort of false `gates` in the mechanism. The padlock was apparently purchased from B&Q which is a home depot type place and cost £9 so at the cheap end of the market.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 1:52 am
by jharveee
https://youtu.be/eNhKRSqncYs
This link shows an Abus with false gates.
Didn't know if you had already seen this one?.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:11 am
by MrWizard
Nice

Great video I have not seen one with false gates or seen that Abus.
I have to get one to play with and have my wife change the combo and try this.
Try it with it behind my back looks like fun.

Thanks for the video.

Richard

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 12:46 pm
by huxleypig
I had one of these last week to decode, I did it as I was walking out of the car park. They are good fun.

Made a schoolboy error when I took it back - I showed the guy how to change the combo and spun the wheels randomly...didn't note what it was. :razz:

I did it again though, they're not so hard.

Re: How to unlock 4-digit combination padlock

PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 1:23 am
by MrWizard
Humm I thought I would grab up one of those Abus 165/40 4 wheel locks to try the false gate manipulation seen in above video but can't find any for sale new in USA. The 2 sellers in UK on ebay that have one have horrible feedback of not sending the right product or never send anything at all so refuse to buy from either. Anyone have a link to one in USA please let me know.

Thanks
Richard