Can't open floor safe
pli...@aol.com
However, I'm not able to open it. It's probably just a
misunderstanding of how to dial in the numbers, rather than a problem
with the lock. Anyway, I was wondering if someone could help with some
advice before I call a locksmith.
There are two markings to line up the numbers on the knob with, a star
shaped marking and a small line marking. Which mark is supposed to be
used? Also, the combination says, for example, "25, 4 turns left, 18
four turns right". Does this mean turn 4 full times left and then stop
at 25, or stop at 25 the fourth time you reach it? It also says to
push the knob down and then turn to the last number, but it doesn't
say whether to turn left or right.
I think I've tried it every which way possible, but still no luck.
Thanks.
Roger Shoaf
<pli...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:0cf7a703-7d16-4eb5...@b29g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> I have a "Star" brand floor safe in my home and have the combination.
> However, I'm not able to open it. It's probably just a
> misunderstanding of how to dial in the numbers, rather than a problem
> with the lock. Anyway, I was wondering if someone could help with some
> advice before I call a locksmith.
>
> There are two markings to line up the numbers on the knob with, a star
> shaped marking and a small line marking. Which mark is supposed to be
> used?
The one with the Star.
Also, the combination says, for example, "25, 4 turns left, 18
> four turns right". Does this mean turn 4 full times left and then stop
> at 25, or stop at 25 the fourth time you reach it?
When dialing a safe keep in mind the term "go to".
On your first number go to the number 4 times while turning left. Stop on
that number.
Then "go to" the second number three times. The first time you "go to" a
subsequent number, you will make less than a full turn of the dial.
Then "go to" the third number 2 times.
Then turn right to zero, push the dial down and turn right until the dial
stops (about 80).
If you still have trouble, go to your local locksmith and ask him to show
you. This is not an uncommon issue and sometimes all it takes is a free
lesson.
Good luck.
--
Roger Shoaf
If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent.
'Key
pli...@aol.com
> <plin...@aol.com> wrote in message
>
> g'luck
> --
> 'Key
> =====- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thanks for the replies. I could have sworn I tried it that way, but
I'll try again. By the way, I'll be moving soon. Is it worth it to
move these safes to a new house. Probably not, considering the costs
to remove and reinstall - it's embedded in concrete ;)
Roger Shoaf
Thanks for the replies. I could have sworn I tried it that way, but
I'll try again. By the way, I'll be moving soon. Is it worth it to
move these safes to a new house. Probably not, considering the costs
to remove and reinstall - it's embedded in concrete ;)
You can keep the head and buy a new body for your new location, but usually
it is better to just leave the safe as a selling feature. If you like
having a safe but are anticipating moving in a few years what I do is start
with a tall floor safe, bolt it to the floor in the garage and then build a
cladding to give you at least 6 inches of steel reinforced concrete.
When you go to move you can unbolt the safe, and move the whole block. A
tow truck is helpful to transport for a short haul, or for a long haul, the
tow truck can hoist the block into the moving van at each end of the move.
--
__
Roger Shoaf
Important factors in selecting a mate:
1] Depth of gene pool
2] Position on the food chain.
pli...@aol.com
so I know it's the right combination.
One thing I'm not sure about is the first turn to the left. For
example, if the first number is "35 left 4 turns", does it matter
where the dial is when I start? I tried both starting at zero and also
by just turning the dial to the left several times (more than 4 turns)
until I reached the first number.
Also, as I mentioned, there are two marks, a star and a line. I
noticed that on the last turn, when I push the dial down and turn
right, the dial stops (on the correct number) at the line mark, not
the star mark.
I tried both dialing to the star mark on all turns (as someone else
recommended), as well as dialing to the line mark on all turns.
Perhaps it should be dialed to the star mark on all turns except the
last, when it should be dialed to the line mark. But I tried that -
still no luck.
Maybe I'll go get a stick of TNT ;) As least I feel pretty safe that a
burglar would have a hard time getting into it.
Roger Shoaf
<pli...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:bbbb3292-259f-4d8f...@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> I tried it again and still can't get it open. I opened it last year,
> so I know it's the right combination.
>
> One thing I'm not sure about is the first turn to the left.
Definitly to the left.
> For example, if the first number is "35 left 4 turns", does it matter
> where the dial is when I start? I tried both starting at zero and also
> by just turning the dial to the left several times (more than 4 turns)
> until I reached the first number.
On the first number it can be read as at least 4 turns, i.e. 6 turns is OK.
>
> Also, as I mentioned, there are two marks, a star and a line.
Put a piece of tape over the little line and just look at the line that has
the star.
I
> noticed that on the last turn, when I push the dial down and turn
> right, the dial stops (on the correct number) at the line mark, not
> the star mark.
On the lat turn you turn right to zero, push the dial down, and turn to the
stop. Ignore the small line.
>
> I tried both dialing to the star mark on all turns (as someone else
> recommended), as well as dialing to the line mark on all turns.
> Perhaps it should be dialed to the star mark on all turns except the
> last, when it should be dialed to the line mark. But I tried that -
> still no luck.
Ignore the small line! The star line is the only one that concerns you.
>
> Maybe I'll go get a stick of TNT ;) As least I feel pretty safe that a
> burglar would have a hard time getting into it.
That would just make a big mess.
DB
<pli...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:32a6199a-e422-4044...@e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
By the way, I'll be moving soon. Is it worth it to
move these safes to a new house. Probably not, considering the costs
to remove and reinstall - it's embedded in concrete ;)
No
DB
<pli...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:bbbb3292-259f-4d8f...@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I tried it again and still can't get it open. I opened it last year,
> so I know it's the right combination.
>
> One thing I'm not sure about is the first turn to the left. For
> example, if the first number is "35 left 4 turns", does it matter
> where the dial is when I start?
No just bring the 1st number to the index mark 4 times. If in doubt turn it
a couple extra times on the first turn to make sure all the wheels have
picked up.
harkawy
Left four times to the first number, stopping on it the fourth time
you come to it. (No need to go more that four times.)
Right three times to the second number, stopping on it the third time
you come to it.
Left two times to the third number, stopping on it the second time you
come to to.
Right to Zero (0) and stop. Push down and release the dial. The dial
should stay down. Then turn the dial to the right until it stops (~80)
If the dial doesn't stay down, redial as directed above, but before
pushing down, use a "Deadblow" hammer and gently rap the dial down.
If it still doesn't open, redial again but this time add 1/2 number to
each of the three numbers.
If it still doesn't open, redial again but this time subtract 1/2
number to each of the three numbers.
If all else fails, then you need to contact a safe tech.
alexto...@gmail.com
Jay Hennigan
> hi roger my name is adnan matti and i have a star brand floor safe orange round top. i forgot the combination but i have the serial number. i need help and i have no idea who to call and i want to use it, i called a couple companies they were going to open it but i wouldnt be able to use it anymore, and i still got the serial number. what do you think. email me.
You're replying to a several year old posting, best to start a new thread.
As a general rule, new safes are set to a standard factory combination
such as 50-0, 10-20-30-0, 25-50-25-0 or something similar. When
installed, a small key that looks like a modified allen wrench is
inserted into a hole in the back of the lock and a new combination of
the customer's choice is set. The combination can be changed
periodically with this key. (That's what the little line to the left of
the main dialing index is for, dialing a new combination with the key
inserted.)
This means that the serial number is of no use in determining the
existing combination, although it might be useful to a locksmith in
determining where to drill to destructively open the safe.
There are typically three common means used to open safes where the
combination is lost.
1. Destructive - One or more holes is drilled into the door of the safe
to observe and/or manipulate the lock. The damage to the door can be
repaired and a new lock installed, but the cost may be more than the
safe is worth.
2. Manipulation - A person with skill in detecting very subtle
differences in the lock's behavior can sometimes determine the
combination and open the safe by feel. The newer the safe, the less
likely this can be done. Requires a skilled individual and often some
luck.
3. Autodialer - A computer-driven electric motor is connected to the
dial and tries all possible combinations until the safe opens. This
requires can take some time, up to a day or more operating continuously.
Only locksmith shops with a lot of business in safe and vault work are
likely to have the necessary gear.
If the safe has a round door that completely lifts out of the opening
then the entire safe door can be replaced if it needs to be opened
destructively. This may in some cases be less expensive than repairing
the old one.
Lots of gory details here:
http://www.sargentandgreenleaf.com/pdf/book_mech_locks.pdf
yeg...@gmail.com
you forgot "turn dial back to zero, press in on the dial, then turn right to retract the bolts."
Its been many years since I've visited alt.l....
I've missed your sig. line....
Are you on ClearStar?
Locksmith Charley here....
yeg...@gmail.com
> Roger,
OOPS - STOOPID ME - misread your reply - it was spot on, missed part of it first time - reading too quick...
