How to crack a masterlock padlock.

This little instructable will demonstrate how to narrow down the possible combinations for your lock from over 60,000 to 80. This is good for if you lose "your" combination.

Step 1: Knowing thy lock.

Before you find your numbers, you must know a few things about your lock.

First of all, there is a dial, a body, and a clasp (The U shaped thing on the top that comes out when unlocked).

When you open your lock you would normally spin the dial right a few times to reset, then go to your first number. Then, you would turn left, passing your first number once, then stopping on your second number. Finally, you would turn right again to your third, and final number and pull on clasp.

Okay, now you know thy lock.

Comments

[ide león]

Didn't work for me... I've got 32 as the last number 1st number = 0,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36 2nd number = 2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30,34,38 I go CW 3 times, then I stop in 1st number, then I go CCW passing 1 time infront of 1st number before I hit 2nd number, then I go directly to 32 (3rd number) = nothing I did it 3 times already... I'm sure about the numbers, I think is the way I'm spinning the dial. I need some insight???

[ababypenguin]

37-11-25 Thanks friend ;)

[hulldesign]

This worked on a lock I bought in the late 80's. Remembered the correct sequence before I turned the dial on the last combination. Sometimes just setting up the sequences will trigger the memory - if it's a lock you opened a few times. Many years ago. Thanks for the Instructable!

[egle14]

what if my third number is a one. what is my remainder?

[jrunyan1]

Easier way, just cut an "M" out of a pop can, fold in the two sides so it lookes sorta like a t, wrap it around the Pole , push down, squeeze, and pull

[evindrews]

So I can't use 12 and 8? Because the last number of my combination IS 12. also, if you get stuck on 3.5, do I move the lock wheel to 4, or 5?
And how Exact DO I need to be doing the numbers?

[adavis34]

no its you need to FIND 12 #'s not 8 #'s

[riff raff]

Ha! It worked! Had an old Master lock in the junk drawer; no one could remember the combination. Got it on the 18th try. Thanks!

[rshaw94]

i went through all your steps using a lock with the key slot on the back, and did all the combinations but no luck /: thanks though.

[noremakk]

"Now remove any 2nd numbers +/- 2 from your third." What does this mean? Do I remove the numbers from the second list that are within two numbers of the third?

[QuestionConvenience]

Yes, I think that you remove any numbers from the list of 2nd numbers that are within 2 of your 3rd number. For example, if your 3rd number is "38", you would remove 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 from your list of 2nd numbers (if they are on that list). I'm still trying out this technique, but that's what I think Step 5 meant.

Peace

[QuestionConvenience]

Yep! Just worked for me. Doublecheck your numbers, and be patient! Keep track of the numbers you tried. Nice instructable!

[platinum15]

i think if its a negative number, you add -2, and if its a positive number, add +2. see if it works and sorry if im wrong :P

[jdollar]

I think I found a way to narrow the possible "try" combinations down to only TEN.

I think that I found a way to discover what the FIRST number in the three-number combination is. So if you have the first and the last number you only have to try ten combination AT MOST, to find out what the correct one is.

http://4urnfo.com/lockpicking/first-number-of-combination.htm 

jdollar

[bombtech91]

anoher way to narrow combos is to remember... First number is always LARGEST.. se4cond number is usually smallest.. and you have she last... don't feel like doin the math, but that removes quite a few possibilites

[jdollar]

The first number is NOT always the largest.
I have one that is 18-24-34  master lock is purple in color.

jdollar

[DaPaulness332]

yea, mine's 9-12-19 for school

[chaosrob]

Maybe for all the locks that you've seen. I have one that is 0-20-26. Hmmm, unless you think the "0" is considered the highest number (on combo locks)

[MoeMonkey]

my lock goes up to 39 like I think most Master Locks so I guess 0 is like the Ace in Cards, it has too numbers, 0 can be 40

[Sypran]

not true my old locker combo before i switched lockers was 17 47 43...

[bowmaster]

My school lock combo is 1-27-1 I just broke your theory and last year my combo was 13-19-13

[howboutitbru]

no always man my pe one starts with like something aroudn 9 nad my third number is 35... 35>1st number

[howdoesthiswork]

 There's an app for that! Crack a combination lock by ear with the iPhone app called "Padlock!" Pretty fun!

[left4dead4432]

i have done that before i just opened the backside of it and opened all the way through and it just fell apart.

[Peekadosies]

You put Step 5 in step 4
=P

[pete54321]

 with step three, you chose 19 out of 12 possible numbers, how do we know which number to choose?
also i read on another site that you should cross out all the numbers which arent whole numbers, should we do the same?
thanks

[RobotWoods]

 There's also the new iPhone App 'LockGenie' which helps crack the combinations and does all of the combination prep for you. http://itunes.com/apps/lockgenie

[tomtortoise]

sorry switch 1st and 3rd

[tomtortoise]

i got to this step and my numbers are 1st 21
                                                                     2nd 3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31,35,39
                                                                     3rd 1,5,9,13,17,21,25,29,33,37
and if i remove any numbers +/- 2 from the third i lose all of the numbers

[r3nrut]

can zero be a number?

[wiilikepi]

yes =D

[memyselfand1]

We have these on almost every one of our school lockers. Some things we do are: 1. kick them. They won't open if you do it enough 2. watch people entering their codes, then put their lock on backwards 3. switch peoples locks around so there is a whole myriad of possibilities with these locks.

[aj301292]

this could work. i just tryed it on my locker code for school, which is one of the ones with a key lock in the back, for teacher inspections. this theory workes because with these locks close enough is good enough

[Ideal_Ideas91]

This Dont Work! I have tried this on master locks and they lock on every digit! I dont know if they changed the design but I do know the thing wont lock up on on 2 different numbers

[BEAST14]

That would take a long time and a lot of thinking,...is there an easier way?

[musicninja17]

Once you get the hang of it, you should be able to do this in under 20 mins...ther whole point of this trick is that you can still use your lock again...

[CapinPorcupine]

Yea. take a thin falt head and jam it into the edges of the dial until there all up the pry the dial off and rip up the insides of the lock

[assasin]

Master lock only?

[musicninja17]

Not necessarily... others do work...

[Dandy in the Ghetto]

When I was in PE in highschool, we used to smash the padlock on on the top of the side that the clasp opens up on. I would do this with another lock. It opens right up after a few solid whacks. You can close it again after too, at least for the first 15 or 20 times you do it. You really have to beat the hell out of it though