Pillard combo lock

[David Hovey]

The normal dialing sequence is as I posted before. The lock drops in and opens to the left. With that said, and working backwards a 3 wheel lock such as yours dials accordingly; R,L,R,L.

I'm trying, as You advised:
4xR to 1st # (Passing "0" 4x, and stopping on 1st#)
3xL to 2nd# (Passing 1st# 3x, and stopping on 2nd#)
2xR to 3rd# (Passing 2nd# 2x, and stopping on 3rd#)
Slowly turning Dial back to L (Listening for click & feeling for dial stop)

Your above sequence (in other words) works out to be this;
R5 times to 1st#
L4 times to 2nd#
R3 times to 3rd#
L to stop.
Which is incorrect.

Forget about the zero it has nothing to do with the lock operation unless one of your combination numbers is zero. Forget about passing any numbers. More correctly think of just going to your numbers. The first time you go to your number it will not be a complete revolution of the dial. Understand?

Have you seen patent 114706?

DH

[Yankee]

So you got me thinking...I dug out my pillard #17 lock that should be similar to his 19.
The lock has three wheels and a driver.

The correct dialing sequence is:
Right 4x to first number
Left 3x to the second number
Right 2x to the third number
Left to 100~ dial comes to a stop.

This lock is very susceptible to bolt pressure. Make sure that the boltwork handle is in the fully locked position.
I have more Pillards in my collection. .....I'll post more soon.

[Yankee]

The Pillard number 10, is a rare latch lock.

It has three wheels and a driver. Note the unusual fence drop in point.

This dialing sequence is like today's modern locks:
Left 4x to first number
Right 3x to the second number
Left 2x to the third number
Right until the dial stops.

[odinfix]

Thanks Yankee

I'll definitely give this a go. My No 19 looks much more similar to your No 10 than to the No 17, and your sequence matches the L-R-L-R sequence my father had written down. You'd mentioned in your earlier post that the locks are sensitive to Bolt pressure. Should I therefore hold pressure ON the bolt handle? And would you recommend pressure Toward the locked bolt position, or Away from locked, while dialing?

For reference: My safe has the hinges on the left side of the door, the dial in middle-Left, and bolt handle to the Left side of the door. Door locks on the Left.

Lastly, you'd also mentioned an unusual Drop point with these locks. I've only actually heard the drop Once lol - and it SEEMED loudly audible and obvious at the time - but HOW much "stop" should I expect to notice on the final dial turn? A "tick", a "click", a slight resistance, or a full "catch and stop" that prevents further dial rotation in that direction?

Again, forgive the simplicity of these questions. It's just that I've tried SO many ways, logically, and I know what I should expect for most Other locks: but since none of that works HERE, I think there Must be something unique and simple to THESE / This lock - something non-industry-standard that I'm missing.

Thanks so much for your help.

The Pillards number 10, is a rare latch lock.

It has three wheels and a driver. Note the unusual fence drop in point.

This dialing sequence is like today's modern locks:
Left 4x to first number
Right 3x to the second number
Left 2x to the third number
Right until the dial stops.

[Yankee]

As to the locks having issues with bolt pressure.

One of the first things, we safecrackers do, when we begin the diagnosis of a locked safe, is to check the movement of the safe handle and play in the door.
The handle should have positive movement, play so to speak, left and right. You should feel and hear, the handle acting on the attached boltwork.

When you are at the final turn of the combination, apply pressure on the handle, in the locking direction. As you approach "0" on the dial, go slow and do two things simultaneously. .......shake the handle left and right. As you shake the handle, oscillate the dial about 20 numbers...you are trying to free up any pressure that might be holding the lock fence in the up position. Do this for just a few seconds, then continue turning the dial in the same direction as you were going.

Every Pillard lock I have come across, has a positive stop when it is unlocked. That means, when it unlocks, the dial comes to a complete stop, and can not be turned any further.

I think you are going to find that there is something very simple as to why your safe isn't opening.......don't over think this.

[David Hovey]

For reference: My safe has the hinges on the left side of the door, the dial in middle-Left, and bolt handle to the Left side of the door. Door locks on the Left.

Thanks so much for your help.

I'm confused as to the hand of your door. This would make a big difference in the dialing sequence of your safe if you have a left hand lock. Posting a picture of the full front would help.

DH

[odinfix]

I'm confused as to the hand of your door. This would make a big difference in the dialing sequence of your safe if you have a left hand lock. Posting a picture of the full front would help.

DH

Apologies, all details were as listed, Except: the hinges are on the Right side of the door.
Dial is Left of middle, Bolt handle is to Left of Dial. The throw bolt engages from the Left side of the door into the Left side of the safe. Door swings open on the hinges, L to R.

(Sorry, I'm not sure Why but the when I upload the photos it rotates them sideways.)

[odinfix]

I'm confused as to the hand of your door. This would make a big difference in the dialing sequence of your safe if you have a left hand lock. Posting a picture of the full front would help.

DH

Here are some pics of the door:

[David Hovey]

Thank you for posting the pictures. So it's a RH door with a RH lock and it would dial as stated.

The only other thing I can think of is sometimes the user opens the lock backwards. If thats the case your last number is dialing left, you would have to dial right to drop-in then back left to stop.

Sorry I have no further information. Good luck on your opening, I'm sure you'll get it.

DH

[David Hovey]

The Pillard number 10, is a rare latch lock.

It has three wheels and a driver. Note the unusual fence drop in point.

This dialing sequence is like today's modern locks:
Left 4x to first number
Right 3x to the second number
Left 2x to the third number
Right until the dial stops.

Chip, I've never seen the inside of a 10. Thanks for posting that one.

DH