opening a safe

Dr.Jones

Dr.Jones

Full Member
Aug 19, 2005
130
90
Kennett square , PA
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Minelab E-Trac
Guys i have a question. What is the best way to open a safe, without the combo? My great grandmom left it to my mother and we just found it after many years. My mom knew it was here but it hasnt been opened since the early 1900's. I dont know what is in it, even if there is anything in it. Unfortunately, she died without giving out the combo, she died suddenly of a heart attack about 10 yrs ago. Any ideas?? Thx guys
 

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"Best way" is kind of a loose term. Is the safe of any value that you wouldn't want to damage it at all? If you don't care what happens to the safe, heavy power tools work....like an angle grinder. If you don't want to damage the safe at all, get a stethascope (pharmacies have them...Osco or Walgreen's) and play safe-cracker. Hold the scope as close to the dial (I'm assuming it's a dial, not reels) and slowly turn the dial. You should be able to hear faint clicking, if you hear anything at all. When you hear a click or a click that sounds different, like a deeper/lower sound, write that number down. You'll have to do this a few times and you should hear that lower tone for 3 different numbers. You may find more than 3 that "sound" different.
Typically combos were L-R-L to open. Play with the order of the numbers a little to get the right sequence. Just like MDing, it'll take some practice and time.
 

I figured that was my best bet but this safe is so damn heavy and its outside. I remember them pushing it with a dozer to move it. Im kinda wondering whats in there now. thanks bro
 

Your other options:
Doing damage.....acetylene torch to the hinges and a BIG pry/wrecking bar.
No damage....call a reputable locksmith that offers services beyond house and auto entry. Might cost a bit, but some won't charge if they can't get it open.
 

I have no clue but when you do bust it open, can you tell everyone what was inside? I am curious!
 

You will have to drill the door with a 1/2" drill bit just over the dial to give a visual of the wheels and drop tumblers by dialing to the rigth you can see the drop then left 2 turns to the second drop and so on when your done on the inside take the cover off and you can reset the combo to you needs. just weld the hole.

Ed
 

I would go with what Submerged said, seems the least destructive and cheapest :) I too am curious as to whats in such a heavy and big safe :o
 

Ah, just out of curiosity, how do you go about losing a safe that's so large it has to be moved by a dozer??? ;D ?This I gotta know!! ?Did it drop in a well or get buried in an old house? ?And lost for many years? ?Wow!!

Yes, Yes, Yes ... we aaalllll want to know what's inside. ? :o
 

Hey I'm a certified locksmith on just about everything even the kaba XO-9 which most locksmiths don't have.
The XO-9 is the hightest security lock known to man (mostly used on safes) made for the US. Gov. and US. military.
Just a bit of my back round...

Drill points are different on all safes..
Please let me know the make model or any markings that say anything that I could use to help you... even a pic. would be great...

do not use a torch!!!!!! ?that just makes it locked shut even worse ... I know I see them in the Field from time to time they take much longer to open after they are welded shut....
ohhh and anything that can burn or melt will if it is not a fire safe but just security...

If you can help i identafey it for me I could probably email you a diagram with the exact measurements to drill...


HH
Uber
 

I kiiiiinda went though this thing too when my grandma had strokes and had to be moved into a home. ?My dad and I went out to Oregon to move all her stuff out and visit. ?I found this metal locked box somewhere, like under her bed or something. ?It was one of those with three dials on it, so I started with 001, 002, 003...went til it was like 217 I think. ?Anyway, eventually I got it open and inside were envelopes with old stocks and stuff for oil companies worth 100k+! ?Well, it sounds better than it actually is...turns out my dad and aunt already knew about them and those were what was paying for her living expenses. :) ?But noone knew the combination and I got it open! hurrah! :D

So anyway, if it's anything that simple, try it. ?Post some pictures and more information about the kind of lock/safe. ?If it's that old, I wouldn't think it could be too complicated of a lock, but I don't know. ?Good luck!
 

This is really pathetic! I just opened a safe at a buddy's pawn shop by pulling on the door and rotating the dial. I could feel a tiny, tiny movement, and then reversed directions till it opened!
He is not happy! It was one of his own. ;D
 

This post will have flames before you know it! I'm so excited for you and hope that you'll will get your answer quickly!! Sounds like Uberlapis has some good advice and if all else fails...............Go with Headhunter!! ;D

Good Luck!!

Moon
 

Some of those old safes, especially ones that heavy are easy to open. Some of them....some of them...I said some of them you can turn upside down and the tumblers will fall! It sure can't hurt anything to try provided you have a dozer to turn it over. Monty
 

call a locksmith...
 

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