Good starting point for safe cracking

[Beeakinmike]

Hey guys,

So I was wondering where would be a good starting point for me to get into safe crackingcracking. Basically learn the basics, so I can gradually improve my skills. I'd like to learn non-destructive methods.

Any info. on where to begin would be awesome. I look forward to learning from you guys!

Thanks,

Beeakin

[Squelchtone]

Hi,

I noticed you posted this question in Got Questions? - Ask Beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions Here. Just to clarify, safe cracking / safe manipulation is not hobby lock picking. It's its own thing. I have moved this over to a more appropriate sub forum.

We have 2 areas to discuss safes on this forum.

The public one is: Ask a Locksmith - This Old Safe where you can get basic instructions to help with dialing a safe if you happen to know the combination, but are having trouble getting it open

The private one is: Advanced Topics - Safes & Safe Locks where trusted members can discuss all forms of safe cracking from safe manipulation to drilling and destructive entry.

We are currently on the fence about teaching manipulation to the public, and it's been a topic that I and the forum owner have discussed for quite some time. I hope to make some decisions on that soon, but for now we do not discuss in depth safe manipulation in the open.

It's hard to tell who's who on the internet, or what the true intentions are so that's why we have an area where members we get to know and trust are then allowed in to discuss things more freely.

I noticed your user name and email address sorta sound like "breakin in Mike" and that's raises some flags with me... all of us on the forum want to make sure we are not here training anyone who is out to break into places. If I misunderstood your name, then all apologies, no offense intended.

Squelchtone

[Capt_Tom]

Good reply, Squelchtone

If someone wants to get into the "Safe Cracking" Industry.... get with a locksmith or even better, a Safe and Vault tech... Work with them... If they see you as a credible character, they will teach you... and may even send you to schools.

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

Good reply, Squelchtone

If someone wants to get into the "Safe Cracking" Industry.... get with a locksmith or even better, a Safe and Vault tech... Work with them... If they see you as a credible character, they will teach you... and may even send you to schools.

+1

Capt_Tom hit the nail on the head.

I learned myself by buying old junky safes and studying everything about them and the locks. Safe and Safe lock company catolog PDF's can be found on their public sites and you can learn alot about safe servicing and products. Finding knowledge yourself is ok in good conscience and any safe or locksmith looking for an apprentice will see that in your demeanor and you will open the doors to proper training like offered through Lockmasters, MBA, NSO, SAVTA, ALOA, SAFETECH.

Don Myers CMS

[phrygianradar]

I bought a few safes off Craigslist that were locked up and got myself a book on safe manipulation. There was a pdf on safe manipulation somewhere on the net I downloaded and devoured. Spent countless hours working and working and working on it. I'm not great at it, but I can open group 2 locks pretty well and am signed up for a few classes to learn more in a a few months. There is a path to follow, but no shortcuts to greatness. Enjoy your journey!

[billdeserthills]

I went to the school of hard knocks, when my Dad retired he left me a couple of Dave McComie's safe opening books. I skipped the borescope and that made for a number of 'swiss-cheesed' safes, before I realized I was gonna have to put up the money for a borescope. Now I am much better equipped with the proper drill bits, safe opening books and borescopes, which makes the opening & repair much easier. Even though I did drill some extra holes and extra large ones at that in those first safes I opened, I used to take them to the welder and get them welded back up, and then I would repaint them, so they were good as new. Don't do a lousy repair, your client is depending upon you to return their safe to it's former security.

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

I went to the school of hard knocks, when my Dad retired he left me a couple of Dave McComie's safe opening books. I skipped the borescope and that made for a number of 'swiss-cheesed' safes, before I realized I was gonna have to put up the money for a borescope. Now I am much better equipped with the proper drill bits, safe opening books and borescopes, which makes the opening & repair much easier. Even though I did drill some extra holes and extra large ones at that in those first safes I opened, I used to take them to the welder and get them welded back up, and then I would repaint them, so they were good as new. Don't do a lousy repair, your client is depending upon you to return their safe to it's former security.

Without Mr McOmie I think alot of safe guys would be lost. Myself especially. I cant imagine all the safes i probably would have swiss cheesed myself if it hadn't been for his books.

[cledry]

I took the Lockmasters manipulation course way back when it was offered as a mail order course. First safe I manipulated was an old HHM.

I would look at the excellent free S&G books online that pertain to their Group 2 safes, you can learn how they work, the names of the various components. I would purchase a lock and mount it on a practice board and work on that. Changing combinations, learning what not to do, etc. Then I would take a manipulation course or you could just apprentice with a locksmith of safe tech.