Help with American Security Safe

[grecomfs]

I have a 6 mod old AMSEC gun type safe and suddenly the center "handle" - i.e.: the spinner that actually opens the safe-just spins freely and the safe won't open. I've tried to loosen and tighten the visible allen nut that appears to connect the "handle" with the central spindle but it won't budge. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Raymond]

Good luck with that!

What kind of lock is on the safe? Electronic or mechanical? Brand name? Knowing this might change the method of opening.

Does the handle spin really freely or with some minimal resistance?

Is the safe anchored to the ground?

Is it full of stuff?

We are thinking.

[GWiens2001]

Our minds are spinning like the handle on your safe.

Gordon

[Starlight691]

I've opened a few of those. That particular problem tends to happen if the safe handle is forced while it is locked. If you are certain that your lock is "open" then try drilling and tapping another screw into the spindle: NOT in the face/center of the handle but from the edge inward on the 'neck' of it. If that re-secures the handle to the spindle then you can trouble shoot more easily from there.

good luck!

[Raymond]

I disagree. The shaft to the handle is most likely slipping on the inside where the cam moves the boltworks and not on the handle itself. If the safe can be laid on the hinge side, gravity and a lot of shouting and vibration may cause the bolt slide to move on its own.
If it is an electronic lock you might have to keep opening it to make this work. If it is a mechanical lock, open it and leave it open while working. Watch out as the door may suddenly flop open.

[LockDocWa]

Many AMSEC gun safes have a clutch feature.
If you force the bolt works handle It will simply turn,
effectively loosening the clutch even more.
You may end up needing to put a hole in this safe to get it open.

I hope the suggestion Raymond gave is helpful.
Otherwise. plug in the drill.

[Squelchtone]

OP has not been here since original post on Dec 12th. I hope they do come back with an update, or to at least take the time to read your replies.

It does make me a little sad that our society, due largely in fact to the internet, is geared towards instant gratification when it comes to solving a problem, fixing something, or a DIY project. I suppose it's just easier to post the same question on several internet forums, and on sites like yahoo Answers, or allexperts.com and if nobody answers in an hour, go somewhere else and ask some more people.

Nothing against OP, maybe they only check internet forums as time allows, but we do seem to have a fair number of such posts. I see the same thing in IT support forums, a question is posed, 10 replies posted and OP never follows up to say what the problem was. I wonder if that's just a sign of the times, or something related to manners and being thoughful.

/rant
Squelchtone

[torontosafecracker]

LockDocWa Speaks the truth.

It's a safety feature to stop break ins, I'd be concerned. If you did it , that's one thing. But if you came in one day, and it was like that, Somebody was tampering with it.


Call a Safe Tech, With the Combo it shouldn't be too expensive, If you can unlock the lock and it is in working order (aside from the handle)

Please Do not tip or put the safe on it's side unless you have experience moving safes of this size.
If it has bolts on all sides (many do) then putting the safe on it's hinge side will do nothing. Just call a safe tech , tell them the whole situation and get a good quote. Like I said, shouldn't be much, considering you have the combo.


Josh