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)
I have a Star Safe in my floor with a lift of lid. It has two index marks, one at 12 o'clock that looks like a letter "Y" and another small mark at about 2 o'clock.
I need the dialing sequence for this safe. I have the combo. It is probably a mid sixties to mid seventies safe. Here is some additional info:
"Star Safe manufacturing company, paramount, calif
model CL35"
"To Open 1. dial combination numbers. 2. turn dial right to zero. 3. push in dial. 4. turn right firmly until dial stops at about 73."
Finally somebody wrote what looks to be the capital "L" above the second tag.
I do have the combo, but haven't been able to get it to open the way i'm dialing the numbers in.
Any help would be INCREDIBLE!
Answer John,
Star Safe was bought out by AMSEC (American Security Products) in the late 70's. Currently the only Star product that AMSEC still makes is the round lift out door. AMSEC is currently in Fontana, CA. Tech Service is 800-421-6142, ext 1036.
The correct dialing procedure is as follows:
4 times left to the first number
3 times right to the second number,
2 times left to the third number,
1 time right to zero - stop and push in the dial. While holding the dial in, continue turning right until the dial stops (around 73).
Use the index mark (Y) at 12 o'clock. The second mark is a service index used to change the combination.
Note: Left is counter clockwise, right is clockwise. Don't count the revolutions of the dials, count the individual number as it arrives at the index mark. For instance if your first number is 34, you would dial counter clockwise (left) stopping the fourth time the number 34 ARRIVES at the index mark.
There are only three reasons a safe lock will not unlock:
If you have the correct combination and are dialing it correctly, you may have a lock problem. These safes need maintenance annually to function correctly. If the lever/fence assembly is binding up, you may dial the combo all day long and it will not engage.
Try using the handle end of a hammer to "rap" on the safe door, after you have dialed the combo and while you are pressing in on the dial at "0". This might get it to free up and drop into position.
If you don't have the correct combo, you will need to have a safe technician open your safe.
If you need a reference in your area, you can call the factory or let me know, and I can see who I know in your area.
