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Can you tell me anything about this safe? Is it worth $250? The safe is locked. Combo unknown. I would like to turn it into a gun safe. Worth my trouble?
Please see the only inmage I have here:
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bfs/1115793529.html
Jason,
Feel free to send me pictures of your safe to: andy@securitysafeusa.com
Once I see what you are dealing with, I can possibly give you some recommendations. If you have the skills, there is no reason you can't refurbish the safe yourself. The only skill I don't have is the art work - I have to "farm" that part of my restoration projects out.
Andy
Jason,
The website indicates the "posting was deleted by the author", so I was unable to see the safe in question.
Let me give you some numbers to work with though.
A particular safe that you are interested in is worth $250-$350.
The safe is locked - this will cost $350-$750 to have it opened and repaired.
Freight Costs - Most decent size safes are going to be in the neighborhood of 1000-1500lbs, which I assume will be too heavy for you to move easily, or at all. Cost to have it picked up and delivered (in the same city) $350-$450.
Potential Cost for your $250 safe $950 to $1650, and oh, by the way, the safe is still only worth $250 bucks, and you haven't even begun to start restoration work on it.
Most of the safes that I see in the $0-$500 range are what most safe companies consider "boat anchors". Especially if they are locked up. They don't contain anything of value, if they did the person that put it inside the safe would have gotten it out.
All that being said, there are safes out there that the above does not hold true for. If you find a rare or extremely unique safe, for a low price, and you are willing to absorb the restoration costs, and other associated costs, you could have a nice little jewel. I have seen some nice little safes go for $15,000 and up, but these are nicely restored, rare or unique safes.
Hope this helps - Do your homework if you find something you are interested in, or do your homework and look for that rare safe that is hiding out there.
Andy
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you Terry. Just as I suspected. But I think I'm going for it. It's a double door Diebold. There still is a chance I can get the combo. I'm picking it up. No delivery fee. Local lock guy said 200-350. I'm a welder. I'm hoping I can reduce the cost by them not finishing the job. Just cracking it and a reset. Nothing more. I'm really interested in doing this work myself. I like a good prject. Can I email you. Is so, please respond to notospowdercoating@gmail.com Thank you very much. Jay | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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