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Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Forgot how to dial the combination on that old safe? Think you got the right numbers but the handle is stuck? What safe should you buy? Ask your safe questions here!
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby djed » 18 Nov 2022 15:05

Gordon,

In your experience with these hinges is there any possibility for horizontal movement of the hinge. If I can move the upper part of my door 0.5mm to the right I’m wondering if I can solve my problem.

Also, can you provide the diameter of the hinge pin. I realize yours might be different than mine.

David
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby MartinHewitt » 18 Nov 2022 18:42

A hinge pin which is 1mm thicker will move the top part 0.5mm to the right. (Unless the hinge pin is then to thick.)
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby djed » 18 Nov 2022 22:20

True. Someone pointed out to me today that it might not be the hinge pin but instead the slot the hinge pin sits in. If that is the case I guess I need to look in to using a sleeve.

I’m starting to think it may just be easier to grind down the step that is binding.
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby 00247 » 19 Nov 2022 10:03

Before grinding on the step in the door jamb, look closely at how tight the gap is on the outside of the bottom of the door. Depending how much it is binding, removing that material may cause it to bind in another place or if the gap at the bottom of the door is tight (looks that way in one picture) it could start to rub.

Have you tried lifting the door on the hinge pins? If it moves I might try slipping in some temporary shim material on the pin to get the door to close properly. Once that is accomplished, I would close the door shimming it in that position on the bottom and on the right side above the bottom hinge making sure the door is secure The door part of the bottom hinge looks like it would then come off and you can inspect for wear at the hinge pin and also remove that moving part that is in the safe body side of the hinge. That is a good point, maybe shimming could be done there. That is the way it looks in Gordon's pictures. I am curious how that moving piece is supported in there.

Something one has to consider is whether there was any adjustment made at the factory for door fitting or whether the hinge parts were hand fitted to each safe which is usually the case. Thus all the parts of the safe having matching numbers. Shimming just the bottom hinge would then have it carrying all the weight of the door, but it may have been that way from the factory. The top hinge seems to be a little different so some detailed investigation is in order as it is hard to see everything or anticipate problems as a keyboard warrior.

On a different note, I find this approach that Hall's took to imitate a crane hinge not the greatest design. I have a #6 Victor safe with the $10 optional crane hinge. It is better in the sense that it doesn't have hidden internal moving parts. It doesn't have a pressure bar. This is not the answer either in my opinion as the door is somewhat cumbersome to operate. Both designs are high on the cool factor chart though!

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You call that a safe? Let me show you a real safe...
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby djed » 19 Nov 2022 23:01

New information.

There is a copy sheet width of paper that can fit between the upper hinge parts. That is not the case with the lower hinge.

I raised the door in the open position ever so slightly with a floor jack and slid a 20-22 gauge sheet of copper in between the parts of the lower hinge and the door opens and closes easier.

HOWEVER the door isn’t flush when I try and shut it. (I did not try shutting the door’s hinge side with the pressure bar).

The next step seems like it would be to remove the door.

See attached pictures.

Picture of copper sheet:

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Picture of top of door with shim and door closed.

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Picture of bottom of door with shim and door closed

Image
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Re: Banker's Safe "Hinge Cap" Clarification

Postby GWiens2001 » 20 Nov 2022 20:55

The hinge pins on mine are not just straight pins. They are offset. If you look at the hinge pin (which has one end broken off in the top hinge section), you see one cylindrical part attached to a flat part, like an L. But the other part that is broken off would make it look like a Z (except not at offset angles - with 90 degree angles).

That flat section in the middle pivots at one end on the lower end and at the other end on the other end.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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