Be cautious...

This is truly the only spot where I can share this. To everyone else, it must seem quite delightful. I go at it solo, so when I spotted this … safe/77908 it looked like a promising candidate for perversion. Before, I used a … 40mm/88823 and discovered it was fairly straightforward to pick. By using a digital micrometer (surely you all own one of those?), I could determine which value each wheel displayed. You can guess where this is going, right? The keysafe included easy-to-follow instructions for setting the combination. I tested them out until I had the procedure down perfectly. Then I set and locked it without peeking at the numbers. My logic was that if I attempted 100 different combinations daily, I should unlock it within two months (according to statistics). Trying a hundred each day took about a week; soon enough, I ramped up to trying as many as 1000 per day. Before long, I realized I had cycled through every number from 0000 to 9999 without it opening. It is possible that somehow missed one combination entirely. So I retrieved the micrometer and quickly saw this approach wasn’t working. The opening lever on the faceplate is plastic and flexible enough to conceal manufacturing variations, which are what allow you to pick it in the first place. I have now cycled from 9999 back down to 0000, and still no joy. Did I forget to push that small lever into position when closing it? Is it just registering new combinations as I try them? Does it need a few seconds with the correct combination set before working, meaning my attempts are too rapid? Do I need to locate my 3mm tungsten carbide burr (you all own those, right?) that will chew through steel slowly and relentlessly? Or do I simply lose my mind?

> member_568c35aa61 wrote: > (you do all have digital micrometers, don't you), to identify, in turn, which value each of the wheels is set to. > Do I need to find my 3mm tungsten carbide burr (you do all have tungsten carbide burrs, don't you) :wave hand: Ooh! ooh! I've got some! > Do I simply panic? What kind of device are we talking about?

I mentioned the device elsewhere... it's hard to locate that post, so here it is again: a bit like Lori's tube, custom-made from aluminum with a stainless 'prong' designed for PA. One of the CB?K devices operates in a somewhat similar fashion. The prong is secured by security screws requiring a special Allen key (no relation?) which has a hole at its end. I might post a photo if I ever manage to remove it (interpret puns as you see fit). But really, neither advice nor sympathy is expected or deserved.

You might want to re-read the instructions carefully to check if there's a note like "If you miskey the password, please wait xxx seconds before trying again". If it only has 10,000 combinations, an excellent strategy would be to introduce a delay between allowable attempts. mikecb

I think I'd go the route of picking the lock on the device. If all you need is a security allen key then that should be fairly easy and inexpensive. Worst case scenario, you can order one on Amazon for just a couple of bucks. If you have a digital micrometer you probably also own a set of digital calipers; you could easily measure the screw head to determine which specific one to buy if you don't want to purchase an entire set. -A

> Atone wrote:I think I'd go the route of picking the lock on the device. If all you need is a security allen key then that should be fairly easy and inexpensive. Worst case scenario, you can order one on Amazon for just a couple of bucks. If you have a digital micrometer you probably also own a set of digital calipers; you could easily measure the screw head to determine which specific one to buy if you don't want to purchase an entire set. > -A :like:

It's aluminum...................... a couple of sharp blows with a decent hammer ought to open it up. You'll lose some money destroying the thing, but at least you won't be locked away forever.:lol: Alternatively, drill holes in the side until there is one large enough for you to fish out the key using small hemostats or tweezers. You're not REALLY trapped. You are just slightly inconvenienced for now. If you really want freedom - smash it into pieces with a hammer and recover your key.

> member_568c35aa61 wrote:I'd previously used a ... 40mm/88823 and found that it was fairly straightforward to pick. By using a digital micrometer (surely you all own one of those?), I could determine which value each wheel displayed. I'm curious about your process. How does a mic tell you what the combination is?

Picking a combination lock... Assume there is something measurable, like the hoop on a padlock. Assume it is mass-produced. Then small differences in manufacturing and assembly will exist for each wheel. Measure the 'gap' (for example, between the hoop and the body) when each wheel sits in its position: that's 40 measurements total. Note the extremes and set that wheel to those numbers. Repeat this process for the other three wheels: another 30 measurements. Set the second wheel next. This depends on two factors: (a) imprecise manufacturing, and (b) precise, consistent measurement—hence the need for a good digital micrometer (or calipers). Mine cost about $30 USD and read to 10 microns. My father's vernier calipers cost around $300 (in today's money) but only read to one thou. Such is progress. In movies, you see people cracking combination locks by touch or sound; if they are that sensitive, they'd likely make more money as brain surgeons. The tactile approach doesn't work for me personally. And yes, of course I could open the keysafe in about five minutes, but (a) brute force lacks style and (b) it would spoil the story. Give me a few more days and I won't be worrying so much about style anymore.

Just to round this out: brute force and tungsten carbide defeated style and micrometry. I still don't know why it didn't open when I tried all the combinations. Thinking on it, it really shows that security is defined more by the capability of attack rather than the strength of defense.

A long time has passed since I started this thread, but I finally got around to taking a picture... hma.jpeg hma.jpeg (20.27 KiB) Viewed 1218 times ... requires PA (obviously) ... uses allen screws with security pins so standard allen keys don't work ... mainly aluminum for lightness ... PA pin is stainless steel ... can be worn forever, until you have to go through airport security ... allows erection but not *quite* enough stimulation for orgasm