This is an Eagle home safe. A fairly cheap import safe with direct drive combination and key lock. The key acts as the handle and when the correct code is dialed the key turns unlocking the safe.
I got called as the customer did not have a code or keys. A quick search of a tub full of keys I found the safe keys, so job was 50 % complete, now onto the combination. There is a technique that allows a safe technician to manipulate these types of lock with a minimum of equipment and fuss, certainly no damage. However if the dial refuses to turn in either direction there is not much you can do without drilling into the safe. With a pair of mole grips firmly attached to the dial I began to turn the dial. It bound tighter and tighter as I turned it. Realising that this was not going to work I had to drill the safe open and manually line up the wheels. The spindle post had sheared off and a spring, used to compress the wheel pack had lodged firmly into the spindle. Apparently a family member had ‘had a go’ trying to open it before…