(171) How to recover your lost Master Lock (small) dial combination

Here I show how to decode two Master Locks (small models of these locks) in case you have lost or forgotten your combination code. I decode them right out of the packet to prove that my decoding method works.

Method:::

To find the first number, you should turn it several times to the left (counter clockwise) while putting gentle tension on the shackle (ie lift up using one finger) until you find a "stuck" position. Add 13 onto that number, and that is the 1st number!

To find the third number, pull up on the shackle with medium tension, and test all the "gates" and look for the one with the largest movement. That is the 3rd number!

To find the second number, don't pull up on the shackle, and turn several times (full turns) to the right (clockwise) and stop on your first number, then turn one full turn left (counter clockwise) until you get to the first number again, and then test each second number (or quicker is: plus 2 the first time and plus 4 all the rest of the times) and then turn right (clockwise) to the 3rd number, pull up on the shackle, and if it doesn't open then turn left to the next 2nd number & back to the 3rd number, etc. Repeat until the lock opens.

More details are in the video.

Important - when you're finding the 2nd number, as you increase the 2nd number tries, you might go past the 3rd number position, in which case you only have to turn the dial left a little bit to get to the 3rd number (*not* all the way around!).

It can take a while, but if you follow the instructions in the video you should be able to crack it.

This is for Master Lock model 1533MCND.