∅ Decodes Old P.O. Box and Explains the Process (141)

In this video I demonstrate the process of decoding an old PO box door and explain why and how it works.

[@cdubbstep]

My husband has a coin bank made with one of these that was his grandfather’s. Unfortunately, the combination was lost to time but thanks to your video I was able to decode it! This video just made my husband’s night. Thank you so much!

[@NothingPicksLocks]

That's awesome! Im so glad my video was able to help. Honestly your comment made my night. I'm super happy you were able to get it open, great job! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

[@esfwr17]

I'm about to try the same thing. Ive had one since I was a kid, and lost the combination to it, I also have a lot of old coins and little "treasure" in it I'd like to get. Hopefully I can figure it out as well.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

@esfwr17 sorry I didn't see this till now but I hope you got it open.

[@nickrod3279]

My grandpa made // gifted me one of these boxes over ten years ago and I forgot the combo. I checked probably five different videos and this was the one that worked, and really quickly too. Thank you.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

You are very welcome. I'm really happy I was able to help.

[@robertrock2341]

This is a fantastic video. My son had this bank for many years and I couldn’t open it. Now I can and I can give the bank to my granddaughter to save her Christmas gifts. Thank you so much for this video.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

It's absolutely my pleasure, I am so very happy this video helped you out. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours.

[@PocketWomen]

Great old PO box. Excellent tutorial on how to decode these. Thanks for this video, cheers

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Thanks very much and thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed it!

[@chriscapune7873]

Great old PO Box!!! I like how easy that one is to change the combo. Nice explanation on decoding ! 🐾🐈🐈‍⬛🐾👏👏👏👏👏

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Thanks Chris! I thought it was pretty cool too 😁

[@lowrider11juno]

Worked like a charm

[@alanjohnson6003]

Thanks for this, I was able to get our old coin box open with this technique.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Awesome, I'm super happy to hear that!

[@larryhub1]

Thanks man

[@desastor853]

Was the video edited? I understand differentiating JA vs EF as the former is a false vs the latter being the true gate given you the 2nd number of the combination. I also get brute forcing the 1st letter(s) of the combination as you are cracking in reverse. But, unless I don't understand the basic here, I am not seeing how you got the last combination of GH? It would also help to know when and why you stopped letting go of pressure on the gate as I watched your L hand on the knob and it does appear to relax at times.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Nope, not edited. My left hand is probably only relaxing when it doesn't need to be applying pressure or when I am applying too much pressure for the dial to turn properly. As for the final letter in the combo, the knob puts direct pressure from the fence onto the wheel pack, so if you have brute forced the first letter and you know the second letter all you have to do is apply pressure to the knob and the fence will fall into the gate when you reach it since the first two wheels are already lined up.

[@alanjohnson6003]

I was confused at first too. But then realized at the last round HE: started at I, went around the known E/F, then while spinning it, back he said he felt it grinding. Then just said it was open and opened it. BUT it LOOKED like the dial was at I/J when he opened it. But I assume he FELT it go fully into the slot around G/H, which is why he said he thought it was around G/H. I assume there is just a significant amount of slop in there so once it was all lined up it could go another 2 places and still open.

[@charlottechamberlin4374]

I'm having a bit of trouble with an old P.O. box that I found with a lock that looks similar. When I try to put pressure on the fence, I am unable to drop into the gate. Could I have a different kind of lock, or am I likely doing it wrong (The only difference between my P.O. box and yours seems to be that I do not have a dial fence, it is instead a lever. But it does have the star shape and letters A-J).

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Hi, sorry for the delayed response. KZbin is horrible at notifying me. Anyway, I'd love to help. If you want you can send pictures to [e-mail] so I can see what we're working with.

[@shelleyschulman6553]

I have a Sam Criswell wood box with a brass front and it has the label on the bottom with the combination but I can’t figure out how to open it. The original papers are inside and I’m dying to see them. If I send you photos could you pleeeease tell me how to open it?

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Yes I most likely can. You can email me at [e-mail]

[@xandror]

So funny y'all act like this is a relic from a bigone age when the post office I run in a small town in Maine still uses these doors exclusively. Same design with the one false gate. I'm having an issue with some of them where the dial is either really hard to turn, or entirely too loose. Everyone who knew how to work on them is retired or passed away. Any idea how to adjust the tension on these? Also it would be really useful to know how to set them to a specific combination. I appreciate it.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Hey there, sorry I missed replying to this comment. I will look into answering the questions you have as soon as I get a chance. Please email me at [e-mail] so I don't forget to look into this for you.

[@xreviews3304]

Worked thanks

[@NothingPicksLocks]

Awesome, glad to hear it!

[@SarahRaye96]

Watched this 80 times still can’t figure it out I lost the sticky with the combination fml I remember the last 2 but can’t remember the first letter. FML

[@NothingPicksLocks]

I'll have to watch it again to remember what I did. Send me an email at [e-mail] and we will figure it out I promise

[@NothingPicksLocks]

To be completely honest if you remember the last 2 letters you could probably brute force the combo pretty easily. Just start with A + 2nd letter + 3rd letter then try B + 2nd letter + 3rd letter and go through all of the letters until it opens

[@nickbundy8133]

I accidentally shut my door while trying to resert the lock code and I can't figure out how to get it opened again. The last letter is GF and the first is either J or I, I can't figure out what the last one is...,

[@NothingPicksLocks]

I haven't played with one of these since I made the video but Ill get mine out when I get a chance and see if I can help.

[@NothingPicksLocks]

So I just checked again and the middle letter is the easiest one to find. All you do is spin the combination knob 4 times to the right to reset the wheels then twist the open knob to the left and keep light pressure while turning the combination knob to the right. As soon as it stops and clicks into place that is the second letter of the combo.

[@robertenglish8847]

You must be a third grade school teacher because you sound like my children's 3rd grade teacher trying to explain " new math" she kept saying its easy, just listen.