How does briefcase lock work

Keep going in this fashion until one of the other two wheels feels tight. When one of the other wheels becomes tight, the first wheel is set at the correct number. Move on to the second tightened wheel, continuing to hold the side latch in place. Set it at "0" and check the final loose wheel. Keep adjusting the second wheel, as you did with the first, until the third wheel feels tight.

Set the final wheel at "0" and adjust it until the briefcase's top latches pop open. Ok, for all you out there who wish to crack a briefcase without being noticed, ie: just pounding the stupid thing with a hammer! First of all the briefcase I am describing hacking is a typical black leather briefcase with a 3 dial rotary combo lock that goes from on each dial.

Now this particular case, as is true with all modern cases, have a lock design that has a spin lock mechanism. What I mean is this: picture holding the case on your lap so the top will open upward once you get it open. When you spin the dials from bottom to top you can only get to zero, then the dial locks, but if you spin in the opposite direction top to bottom there is no stop for the dials.

Now what you do to figure out each combination is this: place the first digit of each of the three dials to 9. Good, now continuously hold the little button that releases the latch in the position that will open the case once the proper combination is inserted. You must spin the dials "backwards" like this in order to feel the dial click into the proper digit.

If you spin in the normal direction, top to bottom , every digit will "click" into place! Leaving you clueless as to which is the correct digit! While spinning you will press down on the dials. You must press down or you will not be able to feel the latch "catch" once the proper combo is achieved. I used my index finger to spin the dials because the dials are so close together, and your index finger is the most sensitive finger.

As you turn you will not feel anything until you get to the proper digit, now it will not be a loud resounding "CLICK", but it is faint, and it is noticeable. It will feel like the dial has just lowered itself further then you can press it down, it also feels like it just "seated" itself into a crevice.

Now once you get the first digit REASON 1: If you look, you will be inclined to "feel" it at the number you guessed already, we want complete objectivity, so don't look.

Blind is better here! REASON 2: When you take away your sense of sight, your feeling of touch is greatly enhanced, so you will be that much more adept to feel the dial seat into the correct number.

Ok, now that you are certain of you first digit write it down, remember it, or whatever. Then repeat the process for the remainder of the 3 dials, including the testing of each number a couple of times to make sure you consistently end up with the same number.

This step may seem like a pain, but it saves a ton of time, so if the combination does not open the lock, you aren't blind and just have to guess the numbers. In fact, any motivated thief can rip open your bag without breaking the lock and without leaving a single trace behind. All they need is a simple ballpoint pen. As WonderHowTo explained, all a thief has to do is simply move your luggage locks to the side of a bag, insert a pen tip along the seam of the zipper, break the seam apart and open your bag.

So how can you really protect your stuff while traveling? As the video shows, if you seriously need to carry expensive gear, you may want to invest in a hard case and use your own high-security locks.