Looking to see if anybody has seen some safe reviews that were helpful. have not found too many that were of much help. looking for a small fire proof, burglar resistant version that does not open in 1 minute like most of the cheap ones do you find at the local stores like Walmart etc. looking around the gardall safes seem like they may be something that could work for me. open to hear everybody experience with the safes that have worked for them.
safe reviews
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I don't know of any small safes that are "burglar resistant". They won't waste time trying to break into it in your house, they will just take it with them.
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
I don't know of any small safes that are "burglar resistant". They won't waste time trying to break into it in your house, they will just take it with them.
I know what you mean. that is why I would bolt it to the floor.
I don't know of any small safes that are "burglar resistant". They won't waste time trying to break into it in your house, they will just take it with them.
I know what you mean. that is why I would bolt it to the floor.
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Here's some basic info on gun safes, but a lot of it will apply to safes in general:
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html
Originally Posted By: RTexasF
Originally Posted By: matrass
can somebody please move this post to the general topic section ? thank you
See where it says Notify? That's where you click to ask that it be moved/report SPAM/etc. I have already done so.
Thank you for your help !
Originally Posted By: matrass
can somebody please move this post to the general topic section ? thank you
See where it says Notify? That's where you click to ask that it be moved/report SPAM/etc. I have already done so.
Thank you for your help !
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
Originally Posted By: matrass
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
You have two totally different safes there. The first one is burglary rated and it better suited for money. It has no fire protection but will resist prying, cutting and drilling.
The second one is a 2 hour fire safe but less burglary protection. It will be easier to pry/drill/cut.
Gardall and AMSEC both make a 2 Hr BF rated safe, that will combine both attributes. Probably overkill for a residential container, especially if you live in a populated area the fire department will be there before the fire burns hot enough to destroy the contents.
I'd recommend a mechanical dial lock (S&G makes a great one), it is a lot more reliable than the electronic keypads. Store the combo in a safe area offsite (safe deposit box).
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
You have two totally different safes there. The first one is burglary rated and it better suited for money. It has no fire protection but will resist prying, cutting and drilling.
The second one is a 2 hour fire safe but less burglary protection. It will be easier to pry/drill/cut.
Gardall and AMSEC both make a 2 Hr BF rated safe, that will combine both attributes. Probably overkill for a residential container, especially if you live in a populated area the fire department will be there before the fire burns hot enough to destroy the contents.
I'd recommend a mechanical dial lock (S&G makes a great one), it is a lot more reliable than the electronic keypads. Store the combo in a safe area offsite (safe deposit box).
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: matrass
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
You have two totally different safes there. The first one is burglary rated and it better suited for money. It has no fire protection but will resist prying, cutting and drilling.
The second one is a 2 hour fire safe but less burglary protection. It will be easier to pry/drill/cut.
Gardall and AMSEC both make a 2 Hr BF rated safe, that will combine both attributes. Probably overkill for a residential container, especially if you live in a populated area the fire department will be there before the fire burns hot enough to destroy the contents.
I'd recommend a mechanical dial lock (S&G makes a great one), it is a lot more reliable than the electronic keypads. Store the combo in a safe area offsite (safe deposit box).
I know I had two different types of safes. just trying to figure out what is more important, leaning toward the burglary side as you suggest. was wanting the dial as I have read they are usually more secure. we do have a alarm system in our house that monitors it 24 x 365 but who knows how long it will take for the police to show up. rather have a safe that is bolted down well and harder to get in so a thief may decide to just split since the alarm is going off. love the idea of keeping a spare combo offsite. wanted to have some information before buying a safe . would be mostly keeping important papers and checkbooks in there.
Originally Posted By: matrass
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
How big are you looking for or what is the intended use?
Looking for something like one of the two in the link below. the smaller one might be too small but I do not need a gigantic one that weights a ton, especially if it is bolted to the floor. thanks for the link on safes as I have been reading up on them quite a bit. was hoping somebody either had a brand that they liked or maybe worked as a locksmith and had some opinions they could share.
http://www.authoritysafes.com/security-safes/gardall-b-rated-compact-safe-model-h2.html
http://www.authoritysafes.com/fire-safe/2-hour/gardall-2-hour-fire-safe-model-1812-2.html
You have two totally different safes there. The first one is burglary rated and it better suited for money. It has no fire protection but will resist prying, cutting and drilling.
The second one is a 2 hour fire safe but less burglary protection. It will be easier to pry/drill/cut.
Gardall and AMSEC both make a 2 Hr BF rated safe, that will combine both attributes. Probably overkill for a residential container, especially if you live in a populated area the fire department will be there before the fire burns hot enough to destroy the contents.
I'd recommend a mechanical dial lock (S&G makes a great one), it is a lot more reliable than the electronic keypads. Store the combo in a safe area offsite (safe deposit box).
I know I had two different types of safes. just trying to figure out what is more important, leaning toward the burglary side as you suggest. was wanting the dial as I have read they are usually more secure. we do have a alarm system in our house that monitors it 24 x 365 but who knows how long it will take for the police to show up. rather have a safe that is bolted down well and harder to get in so a thief may decide to just split since the alarm is going off. love the idea of keeping a spare combo offsite. wanted to have some information before buying a safe . would be mostly keeping important papers and checkbooks in there.
The trick is to keep an eye out and look for an old safe. I have an old Diebold that's probably early 1900's (patent is 1892). It weighs about 600lbs and has about 5" of concrete/asbestos in it, as well as a killer door! Kind of a best of both worlds. The trick is to get one that the owner still has the combo to. Cost will go way up to have it unlocked, and there is potential for damage.
Look in your yellow pages and call area locksmiths. They know of the people wanting to get rid of any - that's how I got mine.
Getting mine was quite a trick. It had to be hauled up a step, around a tight corner and up narrow, steep hall out of a basement. It took jacks, pry bars, lots of blocks, a customs made channel ramp, nylon straps, chains and a pickup to drag it out. Once home, I used the neighbor's tractor, another custom channel ramp (to go from tractor bucket over the threshold), plywood and another bar to roll it into place. It doesn't have to be as big as mine, there are plenty out there that are much more manageable. This one just kind of popped up.
Look in your yellow pages and call area locksmiths. They know of the people wanting to get rid of any - that's how I got mine.
Getting mine was quite a trick. It had to be hauled up a step, around a tight corner and up narrow, steep hall out of a basement. It took jacks, pry bars, lots of blocks, a customs made channel ramp, nylon straps, chains and a pickup to drag it out. Once home, I used the neighbor's tractor, another custom channel ramp (to go from tractor bucket over the threshold), plywood and another bar to roll it into place. It doesn't have to be as big as mine, there are plenty out there that are much more manageable. This one just kind of popped up.
Originally Posted By: matrass
would be mostly keeping important papers and checkbooks in there.
Rent a safe deposit box for stuff like that. Your bank's vault is less likely to be robbed or burn to the ground. Keep backup copies at home on an encrypted USB drive (or vice versa, keep the originals at home and backups in a safe deposit box).
Checkbooks I wouldn't worry much about. If your checkbook is stolen, call the bank and close the account. Someone that would steal a checkbook is more likely to steal your flat panel TV, your Milwaukee tools, and your liquor.
If you can get it in the house, burglars can get it out or get in to it. Fire ratings on many safes likely to be put in a residence are meager at best, considering a fire may burn or smolder for hours. Also, fire resistant is not the same as water resistant. When the FD pumps 5,000 gallons of water into your house and turns the basement into a swimming pool for several days, the contents of the safe may be ruined.
And bolting it down may not be enough. There are videos on Youtube showing how easy it is to get into some safes. And if the burglar has tools and time?
My safe is enough to keep my kids and smash-n-grab junkies out of my stuff. The important stuff is stored off-site and/or is insured.
would be mostly keeping important papers and checkbooks in there.
Rent a safe deposit box for stuff like that. Your bank's vault is less likely to be robbed or burn to the ground. Keep backup copies at home on an encrypted USB drive (or vice versa, keep the originals at home and backups in a safe deposit box).
Checkbooks I wouldn't worry much about. If your checkbook is stolen, call the bank and close the account. Someone that would steal a checkbook is more likely to steal your flat panel TV, your Milwaukee tools, and your liquor.
If you can get it in the house, burglars can get it out or get in to it. Fire ratings on many safes likely to be put in a residence are meager at best, considering a fire may burn or smolder for hours. Also, fire resistant is not the same as water resistant. When the FD pumps 5,000 gallons of water into your house and turns the basement into a swimming pool for several days, the contents of the safe may be ruined.
And bolting it down may not be enough. There are videos on Youtube showing how easy it is to get into some safes. And if the burglar has tools and time?
My safe is enough to keep my kids and smash-n-grab junkies out of my stuff. The important stuff is stored off-site and/or is insured.
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