Hmm..
I'm also new to manipulation, but I'll try to be of some help.
First of all, if there are 4 numbers, there must be 4 wheels, what makes it evil
It probably has false gates too.
Do you know how to make and use a pointer?
If you tape a stick to the key (min 1 feet) and tape a piece of paper with some sort of scale on it in the safe, where the end of the stick is (the scale must be precise enough for you to check the different depths of the fence entering the gates - 1mm should be enough), you can measure how much the fence enters the wheels. Where it goes deeper is the real gate.
Then you need to work the wheels in a way you know which number corresponds to each wheel. For starting, my approach would be to pick up just the first wheel and rotate it slowly, taking note of where it goes deeper. Then choose the gate where it went deeper. If there isn't a deeper one and are several the same depth, chose one and take note of all of them, you'll have to come back to it later. Then after a full revolution, pick up wheel 2 and map it the same way. Ditch the gates that you found on wheel 1 unless they go deeper this time. Do that for all wheels. You may be stepping on some false gates anyway, so you'll have to test different combinations (hence taking note of all the false gates, and which wheel they belong to, you'll have to test them all) and check when they go deeper and deeper untill it opens. Don't forget the rotation of the dial on each wheel. A R55 is different from a L55.
All of this is assuming a perfect lock that binds the wheels in the best orientation possible.
If not, which is probably th case, you'll have to park the wheels somewhere, and test each number with 2 or 2,5 increments at a time. So an example would be:
- you are testing wheel number 2. So start dialing and pick up the 4 wheels. Stop at 0 (for example) to park W1. dial the other way around to pick up wheel 2 (so 3 turns, as you have to pick up 3 wheels) and place in the number you want to test, then other way around and place W3 at 0, then the same for W1. Rotate the key and take note of where the pointer stops. Do the same with 2 or 2,5 increments for wheel 2, always leaving the other wheels at the same place, to have consistent readings. Check the deepest gate, etc, etc, etc.
If the wheels are unsimetrical or oval, it will get much harder.
Note that I've never done this before. This is pure logic coming out of my head, based on my next to none knowledge in these locks. I'm hoping some of the old guys confirm or correct what I'm saying, both to help you with this, and to help me, as I'm going to be in front of a safe like that in a week or 2!
Here's an image for the pointer
This was made using a pick because he had no key, but it's the same. Just use something longer to be easier to check the diferences. A bike spoke is perfect (thin the tip for more precise readings)
You can also use a rubber band to have a constant pressure on it (hold it to the handle or something) so you wont have to be always rotating the key by hand, allowing for incorrect readings...
Hope this is of some help, and that someone corrects my crappy guide
(I can think of 4 people right now, so bear with me
)
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise.
- GWiens2001