Customer Reviews

Master Lock 175D Set-Your-Own Combination Lock, Solid Brass

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Count me in as another user that couldn't open the Master lock (#177, same mechanism as #175) after it had been outside for a little more than 1 year (bought it on Oct 2008). Yes, I wrote down the combination and it worked several times before. It was used to secure my circuit breaker box which is on the outside wall of my garage (go figure why the builder don't put it inside!) I only opened it when I had to reset a circuit breaker that was tripped and last time I successfully opened the combo using my written combination is when I had to turn off the breaker to replace my kitchen ceiling light fixtures. I was surprised when I cannot open the lock the other day (to reset a breaker) using the same combination that I have always been using. Needlessly to say I am not happy with the thought of additional expense and inconvenience of hiring a locksmith to open this malfunction lock...

Then I had an idea to look online for help and found out how easy it is to pick this lock if you happen to have the right tools (paper clip or a thin piece of metal). I tried the paper clip method for about 15 minutes and gave up. Then I found a video clip using a thin piece of metal and bingo! The lock opened right up after trying for about 10 minutes... I have never picked a lock before and definitely won't try to pick one that is not mine, and you shouldn't too. This is way too easy even for an amateur like me! I can't believe it! What's the point hardened steel and all these security feature to prevent cutting, prying when all you need to open this lock is a paper clip or a thin piece of metal? This lock's internal mechanism is the same as the Master Lock Model #175 and it looked like this simple lock picking method has already been discovered since 2006. I can't think of any good reason why Master can't come up with a new design that can resist this type of picking in 3 years! I definitely won't be buying another Master Lock again!

I have owned 4 of these locks; one for 7 years and it has been outside on the front gate to the truck yard the entire time.
It is opened and closed 1 to 2 times a day, with out any problems.
The other 3 are inside locks and have changed combos on them with out any problems.

I use a few of these for the gates around my home, and they seem to be excellent quality. My only quibble is that the numbers are quite small and difficult to read at night, even with my porch light nearby. The need to carry a flashlight pretty much negates the convenience of not needing to carry a key.

I use these on my outdoor storage sheds and they work great since you don't have to carry keys. But they freeze up in winter weather and can't be opened. The only lock I find that works in winter weather are 'receiver locks" that are used lock a trailer hitch to a vehicle. (Sounds strange but they work). Just drop it down through your door latch with the rubber cap up. The rubber cap keeps moisture from getting in to the lock. The draw back is I have to switch back to using keys in the winter.

I got this lock for a specific purpose--outdoors, where my children (10 and 12) would be opening and closing it. I liked the idea of being able to set our own combination, and that has worked out nicely. It's a little quicker to open than a normal combination lock, although the "dials" are a little hard to turn, so it's not as quick to open as it could be. In our application, the long shackle is very helpful for being able to lift the lock and enter the combination (which is on the bottom of the lock). The biggest problem we've had was with the lock freezing up during a February storm, which was disappointing since the lock is mostly under cover and got virtually no ice on it. A little heat did the trick for opening it, but I was still disappointed. I've had regular combination locks be "open-able" under worse conditions.

Previous review was 5 stars: I've used two of these locks at my beach property for years and they have held up very well. I spray WD-40 in the mechanism once a year or so if the lock gets a little sticky. They have made my life so easy!

Now we're down to 2 stars because the lifetime warranty may prove to be a hassle. We shall see. One of the locks malfunctioned when I changed the combination. I can't get it to open. I emailed the company asking for help and all I got was a generic email. This email asked me to call in for instructions. I called in and spent 10 minutes on hold. I lost my patience and hung up. I don't know why the instructions weren't simply included in that email. I will send in the lock as the several-year-old package instructs and see what happens. I'll post a new review if my opinion of the lock and company changes.

UPDATE: new lock came in the mail however it came with a notice that a replacement is only allowed one time. How does that make sense if something has a lifetime warranty? Dumb. Maybe they should get rid of the warranty and lower the price.

The lock stopped working in less than 10 days. I could not open it using the combination, which was very easy for me to remember. After fiddling with it for about 15 minutes it opened, but would not open after being closed again.

I bought this lock awhile back at a hardware store as I could not find the original style lock made by Sesamee. It looked the same as my old one, but that's where the likeness stopped. The first lock stopped working after a week of use. I had to cut it off. Took it back and was given a replacement. The next one seemed okay, but stopped working that day. I played with it and discovered it was 1 number off what was set (and was working). Not cool! The lock uses a flimsy change key to set its combo, does not seem that it would last too long if you change combos a lot (or even a little). The feel of the wheels is cheap, they either stick, or rotate too quickly, feel like sloppy workmanship. Would not buy another one of these from Master. I ended up throwing away the 2 I had after finding the original Sesamee lock at Amazon.com Sesamee Keyless Padlocks Sesame Brass/Steel Shackle Padlock. I have an original Sesamee lock thats 20+ years old and working perfect. I now have 2 brand new Sesamee locks in use and they have not failed me. See my Sesamee review, the lock is a bit more money but it won't let you down. This was the first time I was not happy with Master locks. I am not bashing them and own some of their other products and am quite happy with them.

I used this without any problem for years right on the beach with 24 exposure to salty air and moisture and it remains problem free.

Works well. Be careful to follow directions on setting the combination or it will set incorrectly and you will have a great fishing weight.