DIY Life

This little trick doesn't require any tools, not even a pen and paper. In 4 easy steps you can figure out your lost combination. You'll never have to cut off an old lock because you've forgotten the combination, just use this trick and you'll uncover those three secret numbers in about 12 seconds.

1. Push up on the clamp. Hold it in place. Spin right until you hear a click.
2. Move two numbers to the right. That's your first number.
3. Continue holding the clamp up. Spin left until it stops. That's your second number.
4. Spin right. It will be very choppy, but keep the clamp up. It will open on the third number.

Remember, this is for recovering your own lost combinations, not for putting a head in a jar in your friends locker this Halloween!

If you've ever had a chest in the attic locked for years or even a shed at a rent house unopened for years, chances are you might have used a combination lock to keep prying eyes and thieves away from whatever is valuable enough to keep locked up. I know I use them instead of key-based locks just because I can't stand keeping track of zillions of keys.

Okay, the next big question: ever forget the combination to a lock? If it's a Master-brand lock (most of them are), did you know that you can harmlessly crack it pretty easily and get that darn thing unlocked with a minimum of fuss? Just don't tell any nearby, part-time thieves about this.