to be made or not to be made? 2.0

[jamesphilhulk2]

i have started College about 2 weeks ago and i'm studying Mechanics and with this course i do other subject e.g Maths, Science and much more fun Welding my lecturer said that if we want we can make anything that comes to mind so i thought of making a little steel safe or steel door to practice on. i was wondering if you beatiful safe techs and lockies could give me a nudge in the right direction e.g to make a safe or a door and give me some sites where i can get the measurments for them i'm not really loocking for anything spectacular just something to practice on.

Thankyou very very very very much in advance for your replies

P.S my welding class is on a monday

P.P.S i'm not the one who sold some CD's on ebay just for you to know!

[jamesphilhulk2]

the reason why there is two post of this same topic is that there was a little of a mistaken identity in the other one and a mod said i can do it again

[digital_blue]

Yes, just to clear the air for everyone... I see absolutely no evidence to show that this particular James has been selling anything inappropriate on ebay. I suspect he was mistaken for the individual selling the Ultimate Lockpicking CD. I don't think he's even on the same continent.

So... hopefully that clears that all up and somebody can get on to answering the question. I'm completely unqualified to do so, but that never stopped be before sooooo.....

James, seems to me that if all you're after is to make a safe, then really what you're looking at is making a box, probably with a swinging door, that can accommodate a standard safe lock. Look to a Sargent & Greenleaf model 6730.

As for the box.... a box is a box. There are all kinds of security elements in real safes that you could encorporate, but it depends on what you're after. Do you want something that is as close to a real safe as possible, and weighs several hundred pounds? Or do you just want a steel box that locks?

Maybe provide some more info about what you'd like to see when you're done and you'll get more help.

Cheers!

db

[TOWCH]

You're going to want it to be steel. Since I don't think you have access to good hardplate just go with some thick 1/2" plate. Is it going to be a keyed lock, or a combination lock? There's alot of ways you can approach the locking mechanism, the easiest would be a hinged door with the lock bolt functioning as the bolt but if you want a more complicated locking mechanism I can throw some boltwork ideas your way.

Unless you use hardened steel or use two layers and put ball bearings in between, it's not going to be very drill resistant and isn't going to provide much protection against an angle grinder in either case. If you feel like taking this even further you can take a shot at relockers but that's getting a bit crazy for a welding class project.

[jamesphilhulk2]

OK so i now where i'm going now, all i want (if possible) is a safe like a pin-tumbler lock in it, i don't really want anything in the high security margins near arrowned the low-mid just about twelve inches in W, H and Depth. OR....(if possible) sort of like i can change the types of locks as i progress

[jamesphilhulk2]

so what type of lock would be best

[Buggs41]

Although expensive, and different to weld, you could try making it out of stainless steel. Believe me, this stuff is murder on normal drill bits.

FYI: I am a construction electrician, and presently working at a butter factory that is adding a process room. All the control panels are stainless steel, and I need to create holes in it for conduit. I have seen a plasma cutter in operation once. Very nice tool! I want one!

[TOWCH]

If you want to be able to change locks as you progress, you could start off with cam locks, and later use the hole for the cam locks as a spindle hole for a combination lock. You could also double up and put a keyed lock on there in addition to a combination lock.

Have you considered making a seperate practice board for easy locks? It just seems like a waste to make a safe, and then intentionally put easy locks on it.

[n2oah]

I have seen a plasma cutter in operation once. Very nice tool! I want one!

They are fun to use, too.

I'd like one, but I think saving up for a TIG machine is better. My dad's friend manages Airtech in Fond du Lac so I think he may be able to get me a deal.

[vector40]

Minor thread hijack for anyone who knows the issue -- what exactly IS hardplate, anyway? Is it basically just steel with a very high temper?

(One of you with an LSS might have good info here.)

[TOWCH]

I think they are special high carbon alloys that are heat treated to be very hard. I'm just guessing though.

[jamesphilhulk2]

does anyone know any web sites that could give me a few pointers like a step-by-step guide or something like that??

[TOWCH]

The steel box should be covered by your welding class teacher, what part do you want help with?

[jamesphilhulk2]

WELL.....with how to install the lock itself and what type of metal would be best

[Varjeal]

Installing the lock will totally rely on how your box is set up and how you want it locked.

To keep it simple, if your door is to be 1 3/8-2" thick you may want to go with a deadbolt.