How to Open a Master Lock With a Beer Can
You forgot the combination but you need to open that Master lock without destroyig it. Or perhaps you cannot find bolt cutters or a hacksaw to remove it. Try a beer can. Use an aluminum beer or soda can to create a shim that just might open a Master combination lock. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Using the scissors, remove the top and bottom of the can.
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2
Cut through one side of the cylinder, open up the aluminum sheet and lay flat.
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3
Cut an approximately 1-inch by 3-inch rectangular strip from the aluminum sheet.
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Using the maker pen, draw a line through the center of the length.
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Draw two more lines along the length, one each side of the center line, half-way between the center line and the edge. Your strip should now have three lines dividing the strip along its length into four, each substrip being about 1/4-inchwide.
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With the pen, draw a line the width of the strip through the center.
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Mark another line through an edge substrip, halfway between the center width line and the edge on each side of the center width line. The strip should now be divided by lines into 1/4-inch strips along its length, in half along it's width, and into fourths on one quarter substrip width along the edge of the length.
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Draw a curved "M" along the length, starting at the the marked quarter strip by continuing the leg of the "M" up to the length center line, curving down and angling to the width center line at the edge, then using a gentle curve for the center point, completing the final leg of the "M" by curving back up to the length center line above the second mark on the sub-strip quarter and curving the line back down to meet the mark.
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9
Cut out the "M" and discard the small pieces.
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10
Fold over the top edge above the "M" to the center line, alone the length of the top substrip mark.
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Fold up the flaps that form the outside of the "M" on each side, creating the fold at the length center line.
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Fold the remaining quarter of the flap over the top on each side. You should now have a shim with 1/4" width arms and a thin rounded tongue in the center, looking somewhat like an athletic supporter.
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Gently curve the shim at the center so that it will fit tightly around the shackle of the lock.
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With the lock facing up, wrap the shim around the left side of the shackle, with the tongue piece pointing down on the inside of the shackle. Work the shim down into the lock. Avoid twisting the shim. Some back-and-forth sliding of the shim might be needed to force the tongue into the lock.
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The lock will open when the tongue of the shim forces the ball lock away from the shackle.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice on locks for which you know the combination. You will have to open the lock to clear the aluminum bits that may tear off while practicing. Be sure to curve your cuts on the "M" as sharp angles may cause the shim to tear,
Use caution. Aluminum sheets have sharp edges. Sharp burrs may form during the cutting. This article is for informational and educational use. Attempting to open locks without permission of the owner may be viewed as criminal and be prosecuted accordingly.
