Safe Deposit Tumbler Help Needed

[chapstic2001]

My grandfather passed away a few years ago and left my father and I numerous safe deposit boxes to tend to. My father pays a decent amount to keep the boxes, but we want to close them out and bring the contents home. We know the numbers for the tumbler combinations, but don't know the start left, go right twice go left once pattern. On top of that the bank can't or won't tell my father the sequence.

My question is, is there a standard pattern or do some banks randomize the pattern? It seems overkill that a bank would not use a consistent pattern.

[masraum]

I've never seen a SDB that didn't use a key.

I assume it's like this

If so, I'd assume that you just put each dial on the correct number and you should be good to go, similar to the barrel locks on a briefcase.

[chapstic2001]

I don't remember it being that style. Looking for an image of what I recall it looking like. Honestly the last time I remember seeing it was when I was a little kid in the 80's. You know, when ivory smoking pipes were the next Bitcoin!!!

[chapstic2001]

The SDB was along the lines of this if memory serves correct. Instead of just letters and a key, you would rotate a tumbler like a H.S. locker. I will hit up my dad to validate.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Do you have keys for them and more importantly paperwork that shows you and/or your father to be the legal heirs? That paperwork should be what the bank needs to just open the damn things for you.

[javadog]

Try it one way first, and if that doesn’t open it, try it the other way.

[GH85Carrera]

The good news is it is not an electronic lock. It will not care or know if you try every possible combination of the numbers. It will not need to text you a password reset code.

[LWJ]

I think as heir you present the paperwork to the bank and tell them to open it up.

I am administering my buddies estate right now. That is what I have done on several occasions.

Bring the death cert. Bring the will. If you have a state appointed Executor / Personal Rep authority, bring that.

Should be a no big deal thing.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I think as heir you present the paperwork to the bank and tell them to open it up.

I am administering my buddies estate right now. That is what I have done on several occasions.

Bring the death cert. Bring the will. If you have a state appointed Executor / Personal Rep authority, bring that.

Should be a no big deal thing.

When I first went to my dad's bank they would admit he had an account there, and nothing more. The account was locked up tight, and even the auto-pay utilities were not going to be payed.

I was in the will named as executor. Once I went to court and the judge made it a matter of court records, I had to bring a certified copy of the death certificate, and court certified copies of the will, and the legal paperwork.

I brought that to the bank, and they were then allowed to legally tell me he had savings and checking accounts, and that yes, the key I had to the safety deposit box was in their bank. They led me to the vault, and let me open the box in privacy.

Ask the bank just what they need to have to let you have access to the accounts. It likely is different in every state.

[chapstic2001]

The problem is my father has the patience of a toddler and goes immediately in to frustration mode in .000034 seconds. I am almost positive that he is a named joint account holder. I am trying to get down there to help try various patterns. Or find out why the people at the bank cant / wont tell him the sequence.

Last resort, we pay to have the locks drilled out. I REALLY don't want to go that route.

[stevej37]

If it's a tumbler style...(just one knob to turn.)...the number of turns between the numbers goes from the most to the least starting with 3 if it's a 4 number combo.
If it's a 3 number...start with 2 turns.

As said above....to get the right starting direction....you will need to try one way, and if it doesn't work, try the opposite.

When I worked...my business had a 5 number combo on the safe. I was the only one that had the numbers. Every once in a while, it would take almost 10 minutes for me to open it....it was real touchy.
Other times, I could open it in 15 seconds easily.
It was a walk-in safe. Diebold.

[chapstic2001]

This! This rings familiar with regards to the number of turns. I do recall the tumbler being very finicky as well. Relaying this onto my dad shortly. Calling the bank for confirmation is still on my to do list as it is 10-hours away.

ill keep you posted, likely months from now.

Originally Posted by stevej37

If it's a tumbler style...(just one knob to turn.)...the number of turns between the numbers goes from the most to the least starting with 3 if it's a 4 number combo.
If it's a 3 number...start with 2 turns.

As said above....to get the right starting direction....you will need to try one way, and if it doesn't work, try the opposite.

When I worked...my business had a 5 number combo on the safe. I was the only one that had the numbers. Every once in a while, it would take almost 10 minutes for me to open it....it was real touchy.
Other times, I could open it in 15 seconds easily.
It was a walk-in safe. Diebold.

[chapstic2001]

Quick update and facepalm moment here. Just got off the phone with my father. He confirmed and agreed about the turns you noted @stevej37.......however he never shared that knowledge with me. His last inquiry was 'do I leave it at the last number, or do I return to zero?' I followed up with an audible shoulder shrug.

Mathing. 6x boxes + 10min each [being realistic here] + my father patience + moving stuff = loooooog day.

[LWJ]

Hopefully the boxes are jammed full of Krugerrands...

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Hopefully the boxes are jammed full of Krugerrands...

Or diamonds. Lots of diamonds.

Just a tip. If you go from say 5 then turn anticlockwise to 98, you have to do a full rotation then 98 (instead of just a 10 degree turn).

May have to or may not. Just a tip if at first it's not working.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=chapstic2001;11801739]Quick update and facepalm moment here. Just got off the phone with my father. He confirmed and agreed about the turns you noted @stevej37.......however he never shared that knowledge with me. His last inquiry was 'do I leave it at the last number, or do I return to zero?' I followed up with an audible shoulder shrug.


Leave it at the last number....then open it.

And of course, before starting to enter the combo, give the tumbler at least 3 full spins before stopping on your first number.

[stevej37]

This should help. Although he doesn't say anything about maybe starting everything in the opposite direction....some safes are opposite.

[MRM]

You could rent a box in the same bank. Then they would have to teach you how to work their locks when they showed you your box.

[Ayles]

Does this bank not have a customer service person to let people into the vault? They would certainly know how to operate the locks. With the right documentation they wil even open them for you.

Just out of high school I worked as a bank teller while in college. We always helped people access their boxes and secure rooms in the vault to load and unlaod their items.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by MRM

You could rent a box in the same bank. Then they would have to teach you how to work their locks when they showed you your box.

Brilliant!
Unless they want a 3 year contract for $1,000.00
Maybe just say you want a box, but need to know if your grandmother can open it?

After having to deal with my mother's estate with the government and banks, I feel for you.