Electronic or Mechanical Lock?

[LittleCooner]

The Fort Knox is now 24 years old. The S&G has had only a few problems along the way. Gave up a $ 20 bill for that light with a magnet to place over the dial so I can see in the faded light and problem solved. Not one single problem over the years and its good for another 50 years. Keep the digial stuff with batteries, my S&G will open ever time as long as you know the combination. Usually in the safe in 10-15 seconds and I do not need in it for an emergency, that is not why I have a safe.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Question. Can you program your own combo on either type of lock or are the set from the factory?

Best I can say is it depends on the numbers you choose. Most digital locks must be 3-6 numbers. With mechanical locks each number must be at least 10 numbers apart and the last number cannot be within a certain range of numbers or the lock will not work correctly.

 

[deadin]

Can you program your own combo on either type of lock

I have several S&G Combination padlocks in addition to the one on my main safe. They all are programmable with the use of a change key that allows you to set your own combination (within the restrictions mentioned by Kanewpadle). Just make sure your new combination is working BEFORE you actually close the door and spin the dial. Same with my electronic lock.

I do have an old, large document safe in the garage that you have to disassemble the lock and set the new numbers on each disk manually. This can be fraught with danger....

 

[FAS1]

To put this in perspective, I've replaced digital locks 10 to 1 over mechanical.

The oldest mechanical lock I worked on was 80 years old. Some wear here and there but still worked fine.

I hear the same thing from another Safe Tech that I know. He says the calls for repairs on electronic gun safes is what keeps him making residential calls.

Mechanical on all gun safes for me.