I did get the safe open, it took a little creative thinking but it wasn’t as bad as i was thinking. The safe has taken a back seat for a little bit since we had our first kid. Anyway here is what i did to get it open.
I talked with a very helpful guy about a few different options and places to drill. We though about drilling where the pins are on each side then pushing the pins together but with the way the gears/levers work in the door, they cam over center so that option was out. I decided the best option was to go through the center of the back. With that hole I could at least get in with the bore scope and look at my options.
First thing i did was made a stand to get it to the right height and flipped the head on the mill to drill the hole in the back of the safe in the center since I knew the internal lock was centered. I figured that was my best option if i was going to get tools or scope in there. The manganese steel in these safes is super hard and non magnetic (mag drill was out). Even using the mill, i killed a few bits and had to sharpen them a lot. The back of the safe is 3″ thick.
I drilled through with the biggest carbide bit i could get locally. This allowed me to get the scope in and look around. I drilled right above the internal shelf since the inside door was open and hanging down. After looking/studying some pics that I had taken when it was open i figured i could make a small tool that i could reach inside and spin the gear to open the bolts. The first tool was tool large of a tool to get through the hole so it was on to plan B.
I got a carbide tipped masonry drill and resharpened it for cutting hard steel, with that bit i enlarged the hole to ⅝″. This hole allowed me to get both the scope and the tools in. I made a long screwdriver with a flat bit and pulled the center screw since it was in the way of the tool for being able to engage the gear. With the screw gone i was able to get the tool in place and spin the gear easily and open the door.
Texaschilli wrote
Good luck.
Now I am going to ask you that if the safe is lost, would you consider selling me the nickel plated small finial on the door, or would you consider making a mold of it or some pictures with dimensions? Someone stole mine.
Jody Sims
I can get you dimensions of what ever you need, just let me know what part you are talking about. I would be glad to help.
[unknown]
