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Antique Safes/Antique Vault Door

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Expert: - 9/19/2009


Question
Hi Terry or Andy I have been looking to buy a crane hinge type vault door for some time so keep an eye on this site and saw the qestion from dave on 9/16/2009 who has some vault doors were any of them crane hinge type or do you know of any curently available. Thanks for your time.
Tom

Answer
Tom,

We don't currently have any available.  One of the problems with vault doors, is that when an owner leaves a building, they pretty much abandon the doors.  The new building owners don't want to incur the charges to have it removed, so many of these great old doors, sit abandoned in buildings, unused.  In some cases, they simply close the door and build a false wall in front of the vault, covering it up.

You have a couple of options if you are really interested in an old door.  1. Stay in touch and if something comes up I'll let you know.  2. Start visiting old towns, investigating old buildings, especially ones that look like old banks.  If you find a door you like you can begin negotiations with the owner.
Note:  Be aware many people are greedy - they will complain about the old door for years, but as soon as someone displays the least amount of interest, all of a sudden it becomes a family heirloom and they want a fortune for it.  Play your cards close to the vest if you find a door that you like.  If the owner make you an offer to take the door, they may be motivated to sell it.  If you make the first move - the seller holds all of the cards.

Also beaware that you will also have to incur all of the removal and transportation costs associated with a door like this.

You didn't indicate what area that you are in.  This does make a difference as freight costs can be expensive.

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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