Howdy from the Sierras

[Arborigine]

Hi. I'm in California's gold rush area, am a professional mechanic, machinist, and welder with experience in exotic and antique cars and motorcycles. I have interest in anything mechanical from bulldiozers down to motorscooters. Haven't had much luck picking locks, but learned to notch a key long ago, and have fooled with a few combo locks successfully. I just brought home a locked pre-1897 Hall's safe, and the fun begins.

[mastersmith]

There's currently a thread being viewed that should be of real interest to you, great timing! Hello from Ohio! I'm Mark, welcome to the forum.

[Arborigine]

Thats what drew me here in my searching for info. I hope to give as good as I get, but I am no locksmith.

[xeo]

Welcome.

[GWiens2001]

There are a number of locksmiths here, but many who, like myself, are not locksmiths. But we all love locks and how they work.

Welcome to the site. Love the picture of your safe. That is a beauty, and wish I could be there help you open it. Due to the holes drilled in the wheels, doubt it can be vibrated. It should manipulate pretty easily. Graph out the drive wheel, you will probably find one of the notches measures noticeably different than the others. That will be your gate.

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

Welcome and join us in the chat!

[rai]

Are you gonna have a frog in the race this year?

[Arborigine]

I don't participate, perhaps when the kid gets a little older we will. The "Frog Jumps" is the name of our county fair, and an event as well. The Demolition Derby is more fun.
I would welcome anyone who wants to drop in and try their hand at cracking this box. It may be a few weks before I have time and have learned enough to make a serious attempt now that i know what I am facing
I have seen that copying books is frowned upon here, but downloaded a copy of the pamphlet "techniques of safecracking" by Yeager. It is missing the last pages of the manipulation section, 28 and 29, so i don't have the full story on graphing. Are there any comprehensive tutorials for graphing out there without spending $200 on the big book?

[GWiens2001]

There are a few. You can learn quite a bit looking around this site. Most notable is Oldfast's thread. Some good stuff there!

Gordon

[Oldfast]

A big welcome to you Arborigine. Also check out Femurat's tutorial... Getting Started with Manipulation