Where can I learn to reset a dial combination lock?

Question

A relative has given me a filling cabnet with a small safe built inside. The safe has been left open but if shut can't be re-opened without the combination.

There seems to be a panel I can unscrew to get access to the inside workings of the lock but I don't have a clue about how to reset it to a new combination?

Any good books that can walk me through the process, or will I have to go to a locksmith?

Answer 1

I've never done this, but it seems to me that you should be able to figure out the combination by watching the inside mechanism while turning the knob. Internally, there is a disk for each number in the combination. Each disk has a slot or notch that has to have a certain alignment for the lock to open. By unscrewing the panel you should be able to observe the alignment and thus learn the combination.

You may be able to change the combination by changing the orientation of the disks with respect to the shaft for the dial knob. I once did this years ago, and my recollection is that the shaft was square, as well as the cutout in the center of the disk. That gives four possible orientations for each disk, for four possible numbers.