HOORAH!
after using the same lock for two semesters, you would think that I could remember the three number combination. apparently not. at first, i thought that i could make a photocopy of the lock's serial number and mail it off to master lock, where they would then send me the combination. unforch, due to "safety and security concerns," they no longer provide such a service absent a notarized request, which seems kind of silly because the lock only cost three something to begin with.
i was about to cast off the lock as a loss when i decided to see what might be available online that could salvage this locked lock. I found this post, http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/article/crack-a-master-lock-combination-lock-087242/.
apparently, masterlock uses a standard algorithm that through a little bit of trial and error and some simple math, one can easily figure out her forgotten combination! basically, you find all the "sticking points" on the lock, and eliminate some of the numbers to get the last number. from there, you can figure out the possible second and third numbers, which then leave you with about 80 possible combinations; a much friendlier number than the 60,000 or so possible combinations that you would be up against if you were to just stare blankly at your lock and spin the dial around randomly. once you get the last number, you can then use this online calculator, which generates the possible combinations. http://blog.dreamshire.com/masterlock.php?last_comb=6.
i didn't get it at first, and was resigned to the idea of having to purchase a new lock, but i kept on trucking and lo and behold, my lock opened!
i think i might now try to tackle an abandoned lock that i saw in the garage.
i was about to cast off the lock as a loss when i decided to see what might be available online that could salvage this locked lock. I found this post, http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/article/crack-a-master-lock-combination-lock-087242/.
apparently, masterlock uses a standard algorithm that through a little bit of trial and error and some simple math, one can easily figure out her forgotten combination! basically, you find all the "sticking points" on the lock, and eliminate some of the numbers to get the last number. from there, you can figure out the possible second and third numbers, which then leave you with about 80 possible combinations; a much friendlier number than the 60,000 or so possible combinations that you would be up against if you were to just stare blankly at your lock and spin the dial around randomly. once you get the last number, you can then use this online calculator, which generates the possible combinations. http://blog.dreamshire.com/masterlock.php?last_comb=6.
i didn't get it at first, and was resigned to the idea of having to purchase a new lock, but i kept on trucking and lo and behold, my lock opened!
i think i might now try to tackle an abandoned lock that i saw in the garage.
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