028 How to make your own notched decoder to open combination locks

In this episode I'll be taking you through a detailed tutorial so that you can make your own notched decoder to open combination locks.

This bypass tool will allow you to decode many of the commercially available combination locks and key safes and, given how expensive and fragile the commercially available models are, it could well save you some money and frustration over time!

[alklein]

Fish, you did it for me, thank you. I've been trying to open a 4 wheel lockbox for more than a week now (not continuously), then I saw your video and ... make a "decoder" out of a feeler gauge! Well, I have a feeler gauge. So I found one that fit, not snugly, but not loosely - 13mm (15mm was just a bit snug). I put the feeler gauge in at the left side of the first wheel - then just marked the gauge (along the top of the wheel). Moved it one to make sure that 0 wasn't the first digit.

3 wheels later and ... no. I got the number (and wrote it down the SECOND time), but the box wouldn't open! So I started decrementing all 4 wheels by 1, trying, decrement by another 1, try ... eventually it opened. (I have no idea why I chose the number I did.

Now it's set to 0000, until I need it again. So thank you.

[Nemesis-ynwv]

12pc broken key extractor kit online for a few bucks does the job very well. Slight modification to one or two of them and you now have a full set with varying gauges down to 0.15mm.

[jeffyates]

Hi Andy. Instead of using feeler gauges try searching Shim stock. Normally supplied in packs of 10 @ 300mm x 12 X Thickness required. Exactly same material but more of it for the price. 👍😎

[Swynndla]

Gosh your videos are so professional, and you have a great speaking voice. I felt like I was watching a high quality training video! Also super helpful tips to make our own decoders. Thank you for showing!

[larrydom]

Impressive 🐠! I'm sure you'll refine the tool to your liking. Always an enjoyable morning watching your newest video!

[DarkArtsLockPicking]

Fantastic video mate. Very impressive and informative. I use a thin broken key extractor to pull up on the bar with heavy force and it makes it extremely easy to decode them in a few seconds. 👍🤘🖖🍻

[tkreitler]

I am really glad I found your channel and this is yet another really well done video. I can't help but point out that your conversion from 0.20mm and 0.15mm to fraction of an inch needs the decimal point moved to the left. I can tell you put a superhuman amount of effort into your videos and am glad to see that you are human like the rest of us.

[orkoslockpicks]

Oh, thanks to you I have stuff to do for a lots of weekends

[mikehooper]

You have inspired me once again I have been making wooden pick handles lately I think it’s time to make a custom decoder great video as always

[joehagerman]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[jackfoxlock]

I’ve made several of these using zip tie handles and they work very well. Excellent job on the video👍🦊

[derrickhogue]

Excellent video. Yes! Excellent detailed instructional video. Ooh a mini lathe. Handcrafted security pins and tools, pick handles. 👍 Nice handcrafted decoder. Take care Andy.

[robertbates]

Nicely done sir! I've wanted to make one of these for months now, but was unsure how to create the notch... I am now enlightened, and feel a bit thick! Such a simple way of going about it!
An excellently produced and concise video as always, thanks for sharing 👍

[goof-ekdf]

I took one of my deep hook picks and ground each side until it was thin enough to fit between the Dial's. Works awesome for me

[cmarano]

Wonderful to see this. Many first-time pickers or pickers on a budget will benefit. I've found Noob's zip tie handles to be a good solution. Glad you've showcased them. I agree that LPL's decoder is too thin for most pickers so .19 does sound like a good compromise. Nice work. Hope to see more ideas here.

[noahway]

Thank you. I had to figure this out myself based on LPL video. It's almost like he was trying to hide how he did it. I kept having to pause it to see what he did. I don't see how he has so many followers. Smart people follow you. The masses who want a magic show and want to make degrading comments about locks to make them feel big without learning anything, follow LPL.

[sparkjax]

Thank you for your help I made one out of a scroll saw blade and it worked beautifully

[southernguy]

Wow, so much time to do so little. Another guy said just take a soda can, cut it and make a shim from that. I think a store brand might work better than a name brand as the aluminum may be thinner.

Cut a strip about 3" to 4" long. The trick then is to cut it narrow enough to fit inside the left side of the wheel. You don't even have to notch it, just make it a strip. Simple enough. And forget about needing to make a handle.

Insert to the left side of the wheel, a slight resistance pushing down as you turn the wheel one number at a time. When it hits that sweet spot, the shim drops. You can confirm that by backing up the number and the shim should move up.

Move on to the next wheel and so forth until each wheel drops under the shim. Now try to unlock it. It probably won't unlock because you have the right combination but not the right numbers on the top. Move each number as a set one at a time. If it was 1, 2, 3, 4, move it to 2, 3, 4, 5. Doing this three times usually works and unlocks it.

You don't need an expensive tool. You don't need any training at all. I have a rotten contractor who has used this lock. They thought they were smart by putting the keys in it and switching the combination so I couldn't keep them out because they have some very shady workers.

Guess what? Making a shim from an empty soda can with a pair of scissors, finding each sweet spot and unlocking it took around five minutes. Oh, the video took me longer to view than actually opening it.

All you need is to cut that soda can, make a flat shim, trim it narrow enough to fit inside beside the left side of the wheel, push it in, push down a bit until you feel resistance, and then move the wheel until that shim drops about a 1/4 inch. Repeat on each wheel until you have the right combination. If it doesn't open, rotate each wheel in the sequence 1 to usually 3 times and it opens.

Having a construction company put this on your door is not only like having the keys hanging on a nail outside, it's like hanging a sign that says "come and get it" to a trained thief. I'm not trained and not a thief but figured it out in about 12 minutes including watching the video (er, not this video).

[jeffandthings]

THIS! This is exactly something I've been wanting to do, but I didn't have examples on hands or anything. I hope to give this a go sometime in the nearish future-thanks for providing so many details!

[jamkpa]

Top quality video as always! If possible, would like to see a review on the mini lathe in a future video.