AboutTerry Andreasen (Andy) Expertise Safe and Vault related Questions;
Antique Safe Repair and Restoration;
With over 37 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer.
Current Project: Restoration of three, 36 ton steel vault doors and drop floors, in the old Federal Reserve Building, San Francisco.
Experience 37 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute.
Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing.
Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf
Organizations SafeCrackers International
Education/Credentials Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985
Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985
Awards and Honors Retired US Army, with many decorations and awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Op Iraqi Freedom.
Past/Present Clients Secret Service, FBI, Dept. of Homeland Defense, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Lawerence Livermore National Lab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, various local banks, credit unions, state agencies, Jewelers, and many commercial and residential customers.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
Question Hi Andy. I have an old Montgomery Wards Safe that belong to my Aunt. I believe it is from the 70's and is model 9041. I have the combination but still can't seem to open it. Is there a proper sequence or staring point. Here are the directions I have.
Left 40 two times
R 80 3x stopping on the 3rd time
L 45 2x stopping on the 2nd time, then turn Rt until the dial stops.
I do exactly this and the dial does stop at the last step but I can't get it to open. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
Answer Jim,
The dialing sequence should be:
4 times left to the first number (40)
3 times right to the second number (80)
2 times left to the third number (45)
1 time right, slowly to stop
Make sure the dial has fully stopped. Many people will stop when they feel the lock engage but they stop before they have retracted the lock bolt.
If the dialing procedure that you have been using is correct, it is because it was set incorrectly to start with.
