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Expert: - 9/26/2008


Question
I have what I believe to be a Jesse Delano hobnail safe.I'm curious to know its age and how to repair the side mounted swivel wheels which were attached with nails and have become loose.I also would like to know how to make a key.  

Answer
Yanni,

Jesse Delano was making "Hobnail Safes" in the 1830s and 1840s.  That would put your safe around 170 years old.

As far as fixing the wheels goes, I would have to look at them to give you any advice.  A safe as old as yours, is something that you want to keep as original as possible, so repairs to the safe are going to need to be almost invisible.
To the best of my recollection, the last hobnail safe I worked on, the basic construction was a wooden chest, over which layers of banding was inner woven.  I am assuming that your wheels were nailed into the wooden chest, through the metal banding.
A recommendation that I have for repairs would be as follows:
1.  carefully remove the wheels and fasteners.
2.  figure out exactly out the fasterners secure the wheels to the cabinet or safe.
3.  Go to www.westsystem.com. West System is an epoxy manufacture that specializes in project type repairs/restoration.  It is very easy to use and may provide the types of repairs to the cabinet that you need to reattach the wheels.  Guaranteed that the fix will be stronger than original.  First though you need to know exactly how you plan to restore the fasteners, see step 2.
West system epoxies is available on line, at Tap Plastic stores and marine hardware stores such as West Marine.
4.  Once you have a plan repair/restore your wheels.

Making a key is a little more difficult.  Keys for locks such as these were always hand made.  Hand fitting a key to this lock will require you to disassemble the lock.  It will almost require you to have blacksmith skills, welding skills, machinist skills and locksmith skills.  The first key that I hand fit to a lock such as this took around 40-50 man hours, this would equate to $5000 if charged at regular shop hourly rate.  Of course, the last several times that I have been asked to make keys, I have come up with some tricks that have managed to cut the time down to around 25-30 hours.  I now have a lathe-milling machine that may save even more time on the next key.
Making a key is not only understanding the way it interacts with the lock, but understanding basic fabricating skills, and having the tools to accomplish it.

Good luck and let me know how you are progressing, I would love to see pictures of your attempts at and your final key.  If you need more help let me know.

Andy

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Terry V Andreasen (Andy)

Expertise

Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.

Experience

40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute. Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

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