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Antique Safes/another HHM safe

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Expert: - 4/21/2009


Question

HHM safe
I have a safe that appears to be identical to the one Janet posted about yesterday.  The outside dimensions are 25"H (not counting the legs and casters) x 21"W x 21.5"D.  Is that the size you had in mind when you answered her?  I have the combination and it works, but not well.  You have to fiddle with the dial and handle before it finally pops open.  Might that be taken care of by routine maintenance?

If an inquisitive fella were to take off the little name plate on the inside of the door, could he see the locking mechanism?  How about the entire inner plate?  Would there be a risk of messing things up if he did that?

More pictures available at

http://mysite.verizon.net/joepye1/misc/safe/IMG_0228.JPG
http://mysite.verizon.net/joepye1/misc/safe/IMG_0229.JPG
http://mysite.verizon.net/joepye1/misc/safe/IMG_0230.JPG
http://mysite.verizon.net/joepye1/misc/safe/IMG_0231.JPG

Answer
Joe,

Yes, by removing the plaque on the inside of the door, you can gain access to the lock.

You will notice that there are three screws that the secure the lock "wheel curb".  Remove the wheel curb to gain access to the wheel pack.  Do not drop any of the screws into the inside of the safe.  Note:  There may be relocking device against the back of the lock, the wheel curb holds it in the proper position.  make sure that you reinstall the wheel pack and relock device exactly as you removed them.

I can't explain the workings of the wheel pack in detail here as it is part of a three day class!!!  But if you dial up the combination prior to removing the wheel curb, you should be able to observe the wheel position when you look at the wheel curb.  If there is an alignment problem you will either have to adjust the combination that you are using or adjust the combination set on the wheels to compensate for the misalignment.
The lock should be serviced while it is disassembled.  Note:  if the lock is not reassembled correctly it can result in a lock out.

I recommend that you have a trained safe technician perform the service to avoid any problems.

Hope this helps.

Andy

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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