Locksmithing/safe will not open

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Expert: Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) - 2/24/2009


Question
I have a Protectall S 2951 Fire proof safe. Its about 30 years old. Now it does not want to open. I think maybe the inside  mechanism is worn out. As I feel pressure when putting it to zero but when I start the combo I feel little pressure, almost none. How can I get the dialers to work ? Should I push in on the dial or put pressure pulling. As I have tried both, but I do not know how the safe works inside. I see it has 2 door style hinges. If I pop of the 2 outside door pins, will it open ?
Thanks

Answer
Earl,

The evolution of Protectall can be traced all the way back to the 1930's when a successful Syracuse retailer named George Bloch began a safe manufacturing plant by the name of Protectall. With Bloch's sharp wit and business savy Protectall was soon doing a very respectable business. All of this fame and prosperity soon attracted the attention of a major competitive manufacturing rival Mosler Safe Company, who eventually bought the company for a sum of $1 million.

After the acquisition, Edward Mosler was appointed to head the company in Syracuse. With the help of Henry Bluestone, who ran the sales department when Bloch owned Protectall, Mosler successfully ran the company until 1949. At that time, Mr. Mosler Sr. decided to close the Syracuse plant and consolidate it into the main Mosler facility in Hamilton, Ohio.  Mosler continued to manufacture models with the Protectall label up until the early 1960's.

This would place your safe between 40-70 years old, depending on the model and who actually fabricated it.

The problem with your safe may be as simple as servicing it.  If you have not had the safe serviced in many years the grease or lubricant has probably dried up.  This problem is usually exacerbated by winter.  Heating up the door may loosen up the dial and lock slightly.  Using a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 or Tri-Flow may also temperairly loosen it.  You may also have rust problems which are keeping it from rotating, again caused by lack of maintenance.

If this does work and you get the safe open, DO NOT LOCK the door until it has been correctly serviced and lubricated.
If this doesn't work you will still need to contact a safe company to have a service technician check out and service your safe.

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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