"Safe" common sense

[84CJ]

Just got in from a call for a lock out. I get these from time to time. It usually goes something like "My safe has been hard to open for a few weeks. I have to do the combination several times. Yesterday it took me 45 min. to get it open and today I cant open it" My response is usually "Why did you not call a few weeks ago" If you own a safe and I know many of you do or should. If it starts getting hard to open CALL A TECH. if you try for a long time to get it and you finally do leave it open and call the factory or the place you bought it from. Luckily today was no big deal First trick I tried opened it and all I needed to do was reset the combo. Many times I end up drilling it to get it open and replacing the lock. That can get pricey. If the safe door is open it is very easy to replace or repair the lock.
So what I am saying is Call at the first sign of trouble and it could save you some money. Most S&G locks are gaurenteed for 5 years after that it is your dime. Keep the serial number handy. If you call the factory that is one of the first things they ask for. It is normally on the back and inside the door so wright it down somewhere. That goes for E-locks as well.

Be Safe

Robby

 

[Centenniel]

Great advise. I have never had a problem with my safe, but I have wondered what I'd do if I couldn't open it. Hey, my babies are in there!

 

[macbullet]

One of my safes is well over 30 years old. A couple years ago it started to get very hard to open and I was ready to call a locksmith. I took off the door panel and applied a light amount of grease (Choke tube lube) to the moving parts and it's been better than new ever since.

 

[Rancher]

OK, With no visible fasteners, how do you remove the door panel?

 

[mtb1bkr]

Originally posted by Rancher:
OK, With no visible fasteners, how do you remove the door panel?

You don't, you drill holes in the lock or door and use the correct tools to open the bolts from the inside.

My safe is likely older than me. It's an old Mosler safe that was built for storing classified maps and other large documents. It has an old S&G three number center switch combo lock on it. It still opens like dream. If the lock starts to fail me on it, I'm probably going to buy ma an actual gun safe, but I hope this one will hold out until I retire.

Bill

 

[ridewv]

Originally posted by 84CJ:
Just got in from a call for a lock out. I get these from time to time. It usually goes something like "My safe has been hard to open for a few weeks. I have to do the combination several times.....
Be Safe

Robby

I have this problem with an old safe I recently bought. Fortunately it has an access panel on the back of the door and came with the original instructions how to set the combination. This post reminds me that I really need to fix it. Thanks.

 

[hberttmank]

Rancher, not sure what kind of safe you have, but on mine you just slide the door panel straight up to remove it. It just has some tabs on the back that hold it on. This is assuming you are talking about the inner door panel.

 

[84CJ]

Originally posted by hberttmank:
Rancher, not sure what kind of safe you have, but on mine you just slide the door panel straight up to remove it. It just has some tabs on the back that hold it on. This is assuming you are talking about the inner door panel.

I know some of the older Liberty safes had a coverd sheet metal panal that you just lift up on maybe 1/2 inch and it falls right off.(Inner door panal)

 

[gregintenn]

Thanks a lot for the advice. I hope I don't have that kind of trouble, but I will heed your advice if I do.

 

[Bailey Boat]

About 3 months ago I started having a hell of a time opening mine without trying 2 or 3 times. I finally bought a small magnetic base LED light and stuck it just above the dial on the metal door and now I can actually SEE the darned numbers and get it open on the first try!!!!!!

 

[SmithEC]

Had a La Gard Basic Series 4200 w/3715 EED put on my Liberty Lincoln not 20 minutes ago. Nothing wrong with the S&G dial that was on it. Just don't have the patience or the eyesight for it.

An interesting note is that the locksmith told me that while La Gard recommends Duracell or Eveready batteries, if you use the Duracell Ultra, it will confuse the electronics of the lock. I guess the Ultra is a high capacity battery for such things as digital cameras.

You only have to tell me once. It is curious, though.


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