Are cheap "programmable" combination padlocks known to change their own combinations?
I forgot to bring my padlock for this trip so my hostel in Taipei lent one to me until I buy one, which I keep forgetting to do.
The one they lent me is a generic "NO. 20" 4-barrel combination lock. There's no brand name in the instruction sheet. It has a feature where you can set or program the lock's combination.
I used the padlock fine about three times. But now I cannot get it to open just a couple of hours after last using it.
I did not forget the code. I set it to a year in the 20th century. I'm not sure the order of the last two digits but I've tried both many times, and I've even gone systematically through all 100 possibilities that begin with 1-9-?-?!
Is it a known problem with this kind of cheap padlock to "forget" or spontaneously change their combination?
(Yes I know I can just cut it off. But I'd feel like a bit of an idiot especially since the lock is not mine and is on loan. In fact the hostel must not own a pair of bolt cutters like I thought most do. They've asked a locksmith to come! I fear this may prove expensive, which is worse than just feeling like an idiot...)
Best Answer
Here's a trick I learned many years ago when I used to work in a stationary/office supply shop, it always helped me unlock ANY padlock with a combination. You'd be surprised of the number of people who come back the next day to return the padlock/briefcase because they forgot the combination. This should be useful to any traveler since padlocks are always there and the chances of forgetting the combination is high. Even worse, they do change their own combination at times as you faced.
First, Here's a diagram so we know what are we talking about:
Step 1:
Push the rotating dial to one side, making the space between the wheel and the lock larger so you can see through. You will find that the wheel is inserted in a bar/rod. The bar should be visible at this point.
Step 2:
Move the rotating dial one number at a time, until you find a groove in the bar. It should be a small groove/dent, there might be more than on groove, any one will do. Do the same on the rest of the wheels, making sure that all wheels now are on the digits where the same groove was visible. You might need a flash light if the space is too small.
Step 3:
Now that all wheels are aligned as in step 2, move all the digits one number up. So, if the combination from the previous step was "111", then move it to "222". Or if it was "157", the move it to "268". Try to unlock, if not unlocking, then move them 1 step up, and so on. One of these 10 combinations will unlock it for sure.
The above is only to help you in case you forgot your own combination, not to steal bikes or so :)
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How do you reset a cheap combination lock?
The process involves two basic tasks: erasing your original combination number and then assigning a new one. Once you know the location of your lock's "change" position (most manufacturers make theirs either 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock on the dial), you are ready to change the combination on the lock.Can you change the combination on a combination padlock?
Unfortunately no. You cannot reset this lock without knowing the current combination. You'll likely need to purchase a new lock. I accidentally reset the combination on my Master Lock resettable combination lock.minecraft redstone creation - programmable, unhackable combo lock
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