CPL Safe Manipulation & Lock Opening 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When graphing a safe combination lock during manipulation, what does a 'contact point' refer to?
- The point where the dial physically touches the safe door
- The point on the dial where the drive cam notch aligns with a wheel notch (Correct answer)
- The lubricant application point on the spindle
- The reset position marked on the dial ring
Correct answer: The point on the dial where the drive cam notch aligns with a wheel notch
A contact point is where the drive cam notch meets a wheel notch, causing a slight resistance change that the manipulator detects.
Question 2: Which type of safe lock is most vulnerable to a 'peel attack' and why?
- RSC-rated composite safes, because their layers separate easily
- Low-gauge sheet metal safes, because the thin walls can be folded back to expose the locking mechanism (Correct answer)
- Fire-rated safes, because the drywall filler material is soft
- High-security safes, because their relockers are on the outside
Correct answer: Low-gauge sheet metal safes, because the thin walls can be folded back to expose the locking mechanism
Low-gauge sheet metal safes are susceptible to peel attacks because attackers can use tools to fold back the thin metal and access the bolt work directly.
Question 3: In safe manipulation, what is the purpose of identifying the 'wheel pack'?
- To determine the number of combination numbers required to open the lock (Correct answer)
- To count the total number of relockers in the safe
- To measure the bolt throw distance
- To identify the type of hardplate used
Correct answer: To determine the number of combination numbers required to open the lock
The wheel pack refers to the set of wheels in the combination lock, and identifying its size tells the manipulator how many numbers are in the combination.
Question 4: What is a 'false gate' in a combination lock wheel, and how does it affect manipulation?
- A damaged notch that prevents normal dialing
- A shallow indentation designed to mislead manipulation attempts by mimicking a true gate (Correct answer)
- A secondary locking gate added for high-security locks
- An extra notch added during reconditioning
Correct answer: A shallow indentation designed to mislead manipulation attempts by mimicking a true gate
False gates are shallow milled indentations on wheels that produce similar tactile feedback as true gates, making manipulation more difficult and time-consuming.
Question 5: When using an endoscope during a safe opening, what is the locksmith primarily looking for?
- The serial number of the lock mechanism
- The position of wheel gates relative to the fence to determine combination numbers (Correct answer)
- The thickness of the safe wall
- The condition of the relocking device springs
Correct answer: The position of wheel gates relative to the fence to determine combination numbers
An endoscope allows the locksmith to visually inspect the alignment of wheel gates and the fence position, enabling direct reading of combination numbers.
Question 6: Which manipulation technique involves slowly rotating the dial while applying light pressure to the handle to detect changes in resistance?
- Rapping
- Single-wheel manipulation
- Pressure manipulation (Correct answer)
- Contact point graphing
Correct answer: Pressure manipulation
Pressure manipulation involves applying light handle pressure while rotating the dial, feeling for the point where gate alignment reduces bolt resistance.
Question 7: What is the correct procedure after successfully manipulating a safe combination lock open for the first time?
- Immediately change the combination to a new unknown number
- Record the found combination, test it multiple times, and document it for the customer (Correct answer)
- Disassemble the lock to verify internal condition before closing
- Lubricate all components before the customer handles the safe
Correct answer: Record the found combination, test it multiple times, and document it for the customer
After finding the combination, a professional locksmith records it, verifies it by testing multiple times, and provides full documentation to the customer.
CPL Safe Manipulation & Lock Opening 2
When graphing a safe combination lock during manipulation, what does a 'contact point' refer to?