I am having a problem with a S&G 6741 lock. It is on a safe that I bought used from a fellow who also bought it used. He warned me that when he got the safe he tried to change the combination and was not able to do it. I tried to change the combination and there is something wrong. After inserting the change key and turning it, the dial will only turn part of a revolution and then come to a dead stop! I have changed the combination on well over a hundred of these locks without a problem but this is a first for me. I can not rule out a previous owner messing with the inside of the lock. The easy and smart thing to do would be to have a real safe tech fix it, but there is not one within 100 miles of the safe and none of them will come to the safe or work on the lock if I just bring them the lock. I may not ever trust the lock, but I really am curious as to the problem. Any help from one of you safe pros will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim
Mechanical safe lock problem
- Thread starter jim357
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a1abdj
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Sounds like somebody has messed with the lock 
You have some wheels locks, and some wheels unlocked.
You have some wheels locks, and some wheels unlocked.
Maybe the reason the first guy sold it! Can this happen if someone took the back off of the lock and tried to change the combination with the back off and does not have the key in correctly or turned the key and pulled it out in the wrong position?
a1abdj
Member
It happens more often when somebody attempts to change the combination without the proper change tool. This does often involve the back of the lock being removed.
a1abdj
Member
Same key. It's unlikely the issue was caused by using a change key through the change key hole.
Was the combination functioning reliably when you purchased the safe? Or was it for sale because the lock wouldn't open?
Was the combination functioning reliably when you purchased the safe? Or was it for sale because the lock wouldn't open?
a1abdj
Member
It's sounds like the wheel closest to the outer cover (last number), which explains the limited motion of the dial when the key is in and engaged. If it was the first or second number, you would get additional rotations out of the dial prior to it stopping.
There is an index mark to indicate when the wheels are properly locked. With the cover off, and no key in, every wheel should be locked. With the key inserted and turned, every wheel should be unlocked.
There is an index mark to indicate when the wheels are properly locked. With the cover off, and no key in, every wheel should be locked. With the key inserted and turned, every wheel should be unlocked.
I took the back off of the lock. I lined up the wheels to the change position. I inserted the change key and turned it to the change position. I notice, through the hole in the wheel, to the right of the change key hole, that only one of the little brass plates, I think it is called a lever arm, moves. Only the one in the third wheel, the wheel closest to the back of the lock, the other two don't move at all. Does this mean that all wheels are not locked and unlocked at the same time? Should I turn the key on only the third wheel 90 degrees pull out the key and try again. At this point i don't have anything to loose. Thanks, Jim
a1abdj - I thank you. With your help I got it. I stuck the change key into only wheel three and gave it 1/4 turn then pushed it all the way in and gave it another 1/4 turn. Now the wheels lock and unlock together.
What I think happened is that one of the previous owners (not me - honest!) took the back off the lock, inserted the change key into only the top wheel and gave it a turn. He then pulled out the key and put the lock back together. Now when one wheel is locked, the other two are unlocked and vice versa. What I do not understand is how the locked worked in this condition. I think the moral of the story is that when dealing with something that has to work 100 percent of the time and that gizmo, be it a safe lock or any other device, someone who is not a pro should not mess with it.
What I think happened is that one of the previous owners (not me - honest!) took the back off the lock, inserted the change key into only the top wheel and gave it a turn. He then pulled out the key and put the lock back together. Now when one wheel is locked, the other two are unlocked and vice versa. What I do not understand is how the locked worked in this condition. I think the moral of the story is that when dealing with something that has to work 100 percent of the time and that gizmo, be it a safe lock or any other device, someone who is not a pro should not mess with it.
a1abdj
Member
Usually when we see this, it's because something other than a change key was used. You can cause the issue with a change key, but most people smart enough to use a change key are smart enough to stick it in all the way.
Glad it worked out.
Glad it worked out.
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