AboutTerry Andreasen (Andy) Expertise Safe and Vault related Questions;
Antique Safe Repair and Restoration;
With over 37 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer.
Current Project: Restoration of three, 36 ton steel vault doors and drop floors, in the old Federal Reserve Building, San Francisco.
Experience 37 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
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
Awards and Honors Retired US Army, with many decorations and awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Op Iraqi Freedom.
Past/Present Clients Secret Service, FBI, Dept. of Homeland Defense, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Lawerence Livermore National Lab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, various local banks, credit unions, state agencies, Jewelers, and many commercial and residential customers.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
Question I have a J. & J. Taylor Limited Toronto Safe Works safe and could use some advice. How is the best way to move one of these babys? Might be keeping it or looking to part ways with it if the price is right(what shold I be asking?)
The safe is in good shape and we still use it today. Wooden shelves and all.
Thanks for yout time,
Marc
Answer Marc,
Moving heavy safes is a specialized job, we have special equipment and trucks so that we can move the safe without damaging it or your house/business. I would recommend that you have a professional safe company move it.
If you elect to move it yourself, you will need such things as pallet jackes, safe jacks, steel rollers, 1" thick plywood sheets, steel plates (12" x 8'), steel ramps, and large pry bars. You will need a truck with a lift gate, with a capacity to safely lift the safe into the truck. You will need tie-down straps, sufficient quantity and rating to secure the safe in the truck. Last but probably the most important is at least two men that understand how to use all of the equipment correctly inorder to move the safe and deliver it with no damage.
In order to evaluate your safe I will need photos of it.
Rating Antique Value is based on several things, such as (but not limited to):
1. Condition: (excellent, good, fair, poor)
2. Age
3. Manufacture
4. Type: (Fire, Data, Burglary (bankers or jewelers)
5. Construction methods: (sheet steel, cast iron, composite, heavy steel/manganese)
6. Size / Weight
7. Art work (original/refurbished/restored)
8. History: (documented with and without photo’s)
9. Purpose of resale - as an antique or for use as “Burglar safe or Fire safe“
Condition is based on different levels such as:
Excellent - Like new / out of the box
Good - Used but in like new condition/all parts available and work
Fair - minor damage, paint scratches, combo's and keys are available and/or doors are locked open. Interior has minor damage.
Poor - Locked missing combo or keys, missing parts (ie locks, wheel packs) major damage, safe has been repainted over existing paint. Interior damage, drawers missing, locks damaged, missing, etc.
The type of safe and construction methods can change the value dramatically as Bankers & Jewelers safes are more sought after than cast iron record safes.
Purpose of "use": If you are going to refurbish the safe and use it as an antique the value will be more than if you were going to use it as a "safe". The reason being the safe was built 100 years ago, it would not stand up to current fire and burglary standards at all.
Note: Safes built more than 50 years ago, should not be used for overnight storage of valuables, such as jewelry, cash, weapons and important documents. These safes do not meet current protection standards for fire or burglary. Safes older than 50 years, should be either retired or used as a display item.
Remember that the majority of these safes were built prior to cutting torches and/or most of the electrical tools that we have today. They do not meet current burglary or fire protection standards and as such should not be used for overnight storage of valuables such as: cash, jewelry, valuable documents, guns or computer media (discs, thumb drives, microfiche).
If the safe has documented history and/or if you restored it to original condition you could significantly improve the value of the safe.
Evaluation photos should consist of full exterior / interior views, and detail photos of the dial, handles, hinges & acorns, wheels or castors, locks and bolt work, cabinetry, art work and any special details or damage.
Send the photos of the safe to andy@securitysafeusa.com
