Manipulation #3 ..... continuedYALE .....
breakdown/servicingI broke this lock down with several goals in mind:
1) First and foremost, my aim is to draw as much knowledge/experience as possible from each and every manipulation.
2) I was VERY curious as to what,
if anything... caused the lock to respond so erratically during my first two graphs.
3) I hoped to get this lock running as smoothly and reliably as I possibly could before John put it back into use.
4) Due to the number of people that were in and out of that house during the manipulation (not to mention
the number of people there during the opening) John and I thought it best to change the combination.
Some of my observations are propably quite basic, as this was my first encounter with this type of lockFirst notable difference was the square spindle. Rather than being solidly connected to
the drive cam via threads and spline key... it seats losely in the square hole of the cam.This design also allows for a quick combination change without having to disassemble the
wheel pack and adjust each wheels' drive pin washer. By simply changing the orientation of
the cam and spindle (
4-sided square), you can choose from four different combinations.
After finding one combo, you can mathematically figure what your other 3 options will be.The peep hole in the lock cover allows a view of the fence and wheels when servicing.When changing the combination via the drive pin washers, this peep hole comes in handy...
since you don't know exactly what numbers you've changed it to until the lock is reassembled.
With this lock, the wheel pack is mounted on the back side of the lock cover.
Also interesting, was my first encounter with this type of wheel...
hole change.
The
drive pin washers not only allow for a way in which to change the combination, but also act as a
drive pinfor each wheel. Additionally, they serve as a rotational surface as they butt up against the
spacing washers.
PROBLEM: Using the peep hole while diailing, I realized that wheel 3 had some drag to it!
In other words; I would align the final wheel, but when I switched directions to go to the
drop-in area.... the wheel would be dragged
back in that direction and out of alignment.
This occurred sporadically. Usually about 2 out of every 10 times I dialed the combintation.
Both the
drive pin washers and
spacing washers seemed to have maintained their width over all those years.
In fact, all the parts looked to be in fair condition with very little wear. The only other thing I thought might
account for the drag on w3 was the surprising amount of debris within the lock and/or the lack of lubrication.
I throroughly degreased and rinsed each part, then left everything overnight to dry. I also fished out a 1/4 inch
hairball from between the dial and dial ring lol. Prior to reassembly, I lightly lubricated certain parts with
Tri-Flow -- the wheel post, spacing washers, drive pin washers, and the base of the dial/spindle.
The wheels ran smooth and independently from the others. The dial no longer had
any vibrations or sticking points.
It was a beautiful thing. John was extremely grateful... but I still feel like I was at the better end of this deal
All in all, this was wonderfully exciting for me... as well as an opportunity for some exprerience!
. . . . . . . . . CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . .(1) Being my first experience with fixed drive pins, I was curious as to just how much variation they would
incur when dialing to a gate from two different directions. The differences were surprisingly large.For example... a combination dialed from both directions:
-with a LEFT RIGHT LEFT rotation..... 49 28 97
-with a RIGHT LEFT RIGHT rotation... 64 38 02
The incremental differences in this case turn out to be 15, 10, and 5 respectively.
The differences grow exponentially as each wheel is picked up. If we're turning the entire wheel pack in
order to place w1... the difference will be 4 drive pin widths collectively (15 incs). On the other hand,
if we're turning only w3... then there's only two drive pins involved - a difference of 5 increments.
This was good for me to take a look at... and easy enough to determine with the peep hole. HOWEVER,
I have yet to thoroughly understand exactly how to determine and utilize this info from the
outside of a safe.
(2) As to the factors I mentioned earlier: Just how much did they contribute to my difficulties?-The slight amount of play between the spindle and drive cam.
-The age of the lock & the large amount of debris within it.
-The sticking points and vibrations with the dial.
-And most of all.... the drag on wheel 3.
Honestly, it's difficult to say just how much of a role any of these things played.
It's quite possible that my initial difficulties were largely due to my lack of skill.
Wheel 3 being dragged out of alignment: Given the low occurrence of this (
20-30 percent), it's unlikely this
would keep me from an opening. If I kept at it, I was bound to eventually get 1 or 2 graphs with true readings.
Age of lock & debris in it: I've little experience with older locks, but so far my experience is this....
the more I work the dial, the smoother things seem to get, and the feedback becomes more pronounced.
Rough dial movement near the contact area: Overcoming this may have attributed to the majority of my grief.
. . . . . . . . . . . . QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) Servicing the lock... how'd I do? My choice of lubricant (
Tri-Flow) as well as the areas/parts I chose to lubricate?
(2) per conclusion #1... Converting rotational directions.I don't think this will be all too complicated. The fact is, I've just not taken the time to sit down and focus
on this yet. But I will be soon... and any advice you may have always helps to shorten my learning curve.
(3) I've heard/read of safe techs lubricating PRIOR to attempting manipulation.In order for a lubricant to be effective, I'm assuming you'd have to apply it deep enough
under the dial (at least to the base of the spindle?). If so, how exactly is this achieved?
As ALWAYS... I welcome & appreciate ANY comments, corrections, advice, etc. on manipulation.