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Locksmithing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Johnson Pacific Safe Co. | 2/10/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I see a question from someone about a year ago about servicing safes. I had no idea that they ... A: Mandy, Well that phone number will give you an idea how old your safe is. Notice the old exchange ... | ||
| Question about a safe | 2/9/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: After both my parents passed away, they left a Yale&Towne Mfg Co. safe in the house. Its black and ... A: Carla, Sorry, but Yale & Towne was a "LOCK" manufacturer only, NOT a safe manufacturer. Many safe ... | ||
| Challenger Emergency Manual Key | 2/8/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I've got a Challenger DTC series. The batteries died. I've misplaced my "key" is there a picture of ... A: Jim, first off, I doubt that Challenger made one key to fit all of their safes, so I'm not sure why ... | ||
| victor safe | 2/8/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: how to open with out the combination A: Chris, If the safe could be opened without using the combination, it wouldn't be very safe. If you ... | ||
| Safe Question | 2/8/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: You recently posted a question to Patrick D. Harrington in category Locksmithing: I run Rays Lock ... A: Ray, First off, I never issue opening instructions for obvious security and liability reasons. As ... | ||
| Eagle Safe | 2/7/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: We have three year old eagle safe with electronic and key lock. It has sticker on it "pressure ... A: Anirudh, Unfortunately safes like this have really inexpensive electronics (read cheap!). They are ... | ||
| Vanguard 2.0 Safe | 2/7/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have almost the same question as the one I read on line. We have a Vanguard 2.0. We don't have ... A: Mike, These safes were Labeled for and sold by Sears years ago. Many of the "VanGuard" series of ... | ||
| LORI LC1272 Lock | 2/6/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a small safe with a LORI LC1272 lock on it. I am in need of the combination for the lock. I ... A: Doug, Lori hasn't made combination locks for over 20 years. There locks were all sent out to safe ... | ||
| Pin tumbler problem | 2/4/2012 | Patrick D. Harrington |
| Q: When you recombinated a pin tumbler cylinder and reassemble it I find that my key will not enter the ... A: "When I" recombinated a pin tumbler cylinder and reassemble it?????..... This does not happen to ... | ||
| Allied-Gary Safe Model ASPL | 2/4/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Can I get keys for this safe with the serial number? I have no keys for it and the safe is in the RV ... A: Wayne, Sorry but serial numbers ONLY work for manufacturers. As Allied-Gary is no longer in ... | ||
| Key Lock safe ID,(mfg, age, $), | 2/4/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have pictures (5)of inside, top, lock close-up and side. Are you able to identify this safe by ... A: Bob, I would be happy to look at your safe for you. In order to answer questions, identify, ... | ||
| SAFE COMBINATION | 2/4/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: My mother is in the Nursing Home with Alzheimers; we have her safe which is open and unlocked. She ... A: Gloria, If the safe is "OPEN", and you are able to access the back of the door, or take the door ... | ||
| Marvins Safe | 2/4/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I run Rays Lock Service in Elmira NY. I am trying to Identify and open a Marvin's Safe. It looks ... A: I'm assuming that this is just a duplicate question as I've answered it once, but just in case, here ... | ||
| Old halls safe with sargent and greenleaf | 2/4/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have an old halls safe that I need opened. First off, I have no idea what the combination is. I ... A: Josh, The locksmith is correct in that the dial has been replaced, which could also mean that the ... | ||
| SAFE COMBINATION | 2/3/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: My mother is in the Nursing Home with Alzheimers; we have her safe which is open and unlocked. She ... A: Gloria, Manufacturers NEVER publish records of combinations for obvious security and liability ... | ||
| Mosler Safe | 2/3/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I would like information and the value on my Mosler safe. The information inside the door on the ... A: Susan, The plates are basically the "standards" that the safe was built to. In this case you have ... | ||
| baldwin deadbolt/mortise | 2/3/2012 | James |
| Q: Our deadbolt is broken inside: the deadbolt is in the door jamb as is the latch. Is there a trick ... A: From your description it sounds like you have a mortise lock. This type of lock has an ... | ||
| Old Cannonball Safe | 2/2/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have this cannonball safe in the back room of my family run business. It appears to have been ... A: James, Your safe was built by the York Safe & Lock Company, it was an "Ely-Norris patented Manard ... | ||
| victor safe | 2/2/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a victor safe from my great grandfathers general store. My father and I are planning to get ... A: Grant, While it may have been listed in a catalog at some point, identified by a model number, very ... | ||
| Safe Pilifer | 2/2/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Last month I bought some 9 of Polifer. All of them I can open except of one. This is the Type ... A: Mirek, Sorry, but this is not a safe that I'm familiar with. It is probably European and not ... | ||
| old combo lock | 2/1/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have an old slaymaker combo lock and cannot remember the combination.Is there a way to get the ... A: Donald, If you have a local locksmith shop with the codes, and if your padlock has a serial number, ... | ||
| security box lock | 1/31/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I'm building a removable security box to hold firearms for traveling and shows. I would like to ... A: Lex, This would be called fabrication. Manufacturers don't manufacture "bolt work" to sell as a ... | ||
| Can Diebold file cabinet be rekeyed? | 1/31/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I'm really curious about how this turned out! I am considering purchasing a Diebold file cabinet at ... A: Julie, First off, I NEVER compare one safe (or cabinet) to another. In this industry I've found ... | ||
| Can't get in safe | 1/31/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: My friend was given a HerringHall Marvin Safe. It was given to him by an elderly lady he did work ... A: Mary, HHM went out of business after it was acquired by Diebold in 1959, and they closed the ... | ||
| Bank Vault | 1/30/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: My business partner and I just recently bought an old bank building. it has been empty about 8-9 ... A: Kevin, Vault doors ONLY have value when they are actually installed and operational. If you are ... | ||
| Sears Tower Safe | 1/29/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a Sears Tower Safe that i would like to mount to the floor. I was going to drill some ... A: Tim, In that case, I understand and think this would be ok, for a small amount of ammunition. If ... | ||
| Sears Tower Safe | 1/29/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a Sears Tower Safe that i would like to mount to the floor. I was going to drill some ... A: Tim, There is no asbestos in this container. If you are concerned have the insulation tested by a ... | ||
| info about a safe | 1/29/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I was wondering if you would be able to give me any type of information about this safe that I have ... A: Jeff, I have information that the "Dominion Safe & Vault Co." was operated in Farnham Quebec, by ... | ||
| Safe | 1/29/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Andreasen. I would like to know a little about a small safe that I was givin by a friend in hopes ... A: John, The "Clark" Security Products is basically a locksmith supply company, which started in San ... | ||
| gardex safe | 1/27/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: my father (86) has a gardex safe, serial B733574, and he can no longer remember how to open it. His ... A: Mary, Unfortunately, in many cases combinations are passed on the way they are remembered or ... | ||
| information on my safe | 1/27/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: This safe was in my house when I bought it a few years ago. I'm looking for a year and model, and ... A: Don, The information that you have provided were on the Safe Manufacturers National Association ... | ||
| Found safe, reset code. | 1/27/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Hope your going well Terry, and thank you for your time and the help that is on its way! So, i found ... A: Simon, The safe is NOT an "R6700", made by S&G. S&G is a lock manufacturer ONLY. As long as the ... | ||
| Locked victor safe | 1/27/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have an old Victor safe and cannot remember the combo. It is shut now. I would like to know how ... A: Waylon, Well, first off, your safe was NOT awarded the "Grand Price" at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase ... | ||
| install new mechanical dial locks on winchester safe | 1/26/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Is there directions/instructions available for installing new mechanical locks on winchester gun ... A: Bruce, If your safe is one of the "imports", then it will not have any mounting holes or mounting ... | ||
| Can't get my safe open ,I have the right combination . | 1/25/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Can you tell me how to use my combination to my safe,it has been awhile since i have opened it and i ... A: Gene, The lock on your Gary Safe should be a Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G) lock. The dialing sequence ... | ||
| Grasshopper safe | 1/25/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a grasshopper safe it is locked and would like to know about opening and getting key made I'm ... A: Ed, Unfortunately you have a safe that will require a safe technician who is very familiar with ... | ||
| Parker door knob removal | 1/25/2012 | James |
| Q: my brother's front door knob is no longer working. it is a Parker lock, and yesterday the latch ... A: On the interior knob there should be a small hole between the back of the knob and the trim plate. ... | ||
| How open old Mosler safe | 1/24/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: Mr. Andreasen: I have an old Mosler combo dial safe about 3 x 4 x 5'. It used to be in the old ... A: John, Unfortunately, mechanical problems with safes require "HANDS ON" solutions - ESPECIALLY when ... | ||
| old safe | 1/24/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I have a old victorsafe ( serial# 807 ) with yael cobination lock. can i find the combination. A: Joe, If your "Victor" safe has a Yale lock, it isn't as old as you think. While Victor Safe & Lock ... | ||
| safe's built in 1920's | 1/23/2012 | Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) |
| Q: I am a writer working on a story and wanting a name of a home safe, not too large, but one that ... A: Kerry, You want the name of a manufacturer, or the name of a safe owner? If you want the name of ... | ||
Answers by Expert:
Terry V. Andreasen (Andy)
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 38 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
38 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
ClearStar
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 - Listed in AllExperts Top 50 Experts. All Expert 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 and Western Nevada)
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