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Locksmithing/mosler safe - Door won't open - stuck

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Expert: Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) - 2/8/2009


Question
It's a mosler safe, serial no. 180441, Class T20. After the combination is entered and the latch handle is turned fully releasing the door bolts, the door won't open. When the door is pulled on using the handle the doors moves in and out slightly on the left side. I think I can hear the bolts engaging and opening on the left side but not on the right side. Have you ever encountered a problem like this? We leveled the safe, bang on its side thinking that some of the bolts were stuck but to no avail.

Answer
Charles,

There are a number of problems that you may have with your safe.  Some of them may include misaligned doors, worn hinges, disconnected bolt work, jammed bolt work, etc.

This is one of those "hands on" diagnostic problems.  Each bolt will have to be investigated to find out which ones are retracted and which ones are extended.  One way to do this is to use a thin piece of plastic or a piece of paper.  Work it into the edge of the door and then up and down to locate the bolts.  You can work the handle back and forth to verify bolts that may be attached or detached.

Visually inspect the seams around the doors.  Are the edges perpendicular and aligned correctly or do they seem "off" slightly?
Worn hinges can allow a door to "drop" and hang up on the bottom of the safe, which may cause the jam up.

These are a few of the problems, but as I mentioned this is a hands on diagnostic problem.  If you can't figure out the problem, you will need a trained safe technician.  You can check for one in your yellow pages under safes & vaults.  If you can't find one let me know and I'll see if I know any one in your area.

Andy

Locksmithing

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Terry V. Andreasen (Andy)

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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