Need to get into an old safe

Need to get into an old safe, which is supposed to contain some old guns. Other than a locksmith, who will charge about $175 (I live in an expensive area). Other locksmiths who open safes where there is no combination charge more. Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet and pay the locksmith?

#Need to get into an old safe, which is supposed to contain some old #guns. Other than a locksmith, who will charge about $175 (I live in an #expensive area). Other locksmiths who open safes where there is no #combination charge more. Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet #and pay the locksmith? # Pay the locksmith and hope that there really are some old guns in there. Any 'violent' opening of the safe will probably be illegal and could damage the theoretical contents.

A friend's dad cut old bank vaults in half with a big, slow band saw; then he'd work the lock from the inside and weld the box back together. Some had a jacket filled with tear gas, so be prepared. Difficult to burn into a good safe; they had a layer of copper to dissipate the heat. Call the locksmith.

says... > ... Nitro?

If they were easy to get into they would not safe to keep your valuables in. Bite the bullet and pay the pro.

a cutting torch to the safe(not the door) will do it, but ruin the safe,or set afire whats inside, is the safe worth keeping? is it big, have the 'smith open it & maybe sell it? recoup some of your $$$ Fred

#Subject: Need to get into an old safe

#Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet

If the manufacturer is still in business, you might try contacting them. Other than that, pay the smith.

People sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf......George Orwell.

Considering how much repair work $175.00 will get you on a TV set or your car its peanuts particularly if the safe is usable when the locksmith is done. Don't even consider using heat of any kind or a blind drilling or cutting attack. many safes even older ones contain fusible relocks in either (or both) the combination lock or on the bolt works. If you trip the relocks you are effectively SOL! Also don't apply any excessive force to exteernal handles or dials - they are built to shear off in most cases. A professional will use an expert drill attack or possibly manipulate (determine the combo by systematic dialing and 'feeling' for the numbers) the lock. If you are still going want to use the safe ask the smith if repairs (if necessary) are included.

> ...

says...

# # #Need to get into an old safe, which is supposed to contain some old # #guns. Other than a locksmith, who will charge about $175 (I live in an # #expensive area). Other locksmiths who open safes where there is no # #combination charge more. Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet # #and pay the locksmith? # # # Pay the locksmith and hope that there really are some old guns in # there. Any 'violent' opening of the safe will probably be illegal and # could damage the theoretical contents. # # Russ # #

Check out the alt.locksmithing news group. You'll get the usual percentage of useless advice from the clueless, but there are several skilled amateurs and even a few pros who post there. At worst you'll get advice on how *not* to bugger it up so bad a pro will pass when you give up and offer him the job.

Later,

Nick Where are you going to get 'nitro'? Old time 'safe men' used to boil their nitro out of dynamite. A few of them wound up in 20 pieces, 20 miles apart! You must spend a lot of time watching old movies.... To the original poster: Spend the money and take your chances. Let us know how your 'treasure hunt' turns out.... Don