Dial Shaft Replacement

[mseifert]

I know that you can remove the dial, I.e. When drilling a safe, but is it possible to replace the dial shaft.. I can't find anything about it (Which leads me to believe the answer is "NO").

But in my defense, because I am not a licensed Safe Tech I don't have access to a lot of information as well as even the ability to purchase parts ..

So, Is it possible to change the dial shaft. I have a couple S&G 6700 that could use a new shaft

[cledry]

You replace the dial, ring & spindle as a unit normally.

[ltdbjd]

They are designed to be permanent, having been pressed into the dial at the factory.

I suppose you could try to replace the spindle if you really wanted to; but I think it would be a really bad idea. You could purchase a spindle extension kit and use the spindle from that. I've never done it, but I'm guessing pulling the old spindle out of the dial would be pretty difficult. I'd NEVER try this to be used on an actual safe though. If it shifts in the dial even a fraction of an inch, the combo won't work. Worse, since there wouldn't be a solid connection between the dial and the cam, you couldn't consistently dial the combo. It would be similar to having a loose spline key.

Your best bet would be to purchase a new dial. They come with the spline attached. You just have to cut it to the proper length.

[mseifert]

Your best bet would be to purchase a new dial. They come with the spline attached. You just have to cut it to the proper length.

I figured.. I have some used ones I purchased from Ebay and was thinking that if for some reason I decided to sell them .. It would be easier if the spindles were not pre-cut..

[74TR6]

I agree with the stated "...designed to be permanent..." and are replaced as a unit when needed. BUT.........

Can it be done? Yes Will the lock work properly after replacement? Yes Is it a method of choice? No, see opening statement. The shaft is splined and the dial is indexed to this splining. If you are familiar with the index of the 6700 (lock you mentioned) and replace to same index, the combination will still work with no rest. If you get the index a notch off from original, the combination will be shifted slightly; this can be corrected

Local Atwoods had a Liberty gun safe with the dial removed from shaft; safe was closed and locked with combination on a sticker on side of safe. I indexed the dial onto shaft, dialed the combination, and opened the door. I closed and locked the door, and gave the dial back to dept manager. Next day, when store manager agreed to the sale price (very low), I again opened the safe. I replaced the lock assembly and sold the safe. Original dial and shaft were pressed back together (fit is as secure as original); and that lock assembly is working perfectly on a small safe I use.

[safecracker33]

Normally better to replace once pulled, but can be done if you have to and wouldn't normally have a any issues if done correctly, note some dials and spindles are pinned in place rather than just pressed in.

[Raymond]

With a pinned on spindle I would not even consider changing it. However, I have had numerous occasions when changing the spindle was the preferred option. Today I replaced one. Cant remember the lock model number but the La Gard mechanical lock had two separate electrical connections going into it. And, I did not have one. I had to drill this ATM. The bank had to have it working. I had drilled the spindle to the point where it would break off and leave me something to turn the spindle with. After drilling, scoping, and repairing the hole, I repaired the dial. Many years ago I bought a 5/16-40 tap and die. I punched out the remainder of the original spindle, threaded the hole, inserted a piece of brass spindle stock, and cut it to the correct length. The original dial had a spline key slot to align the spindle. It was located exactly on 50. So, I threaded in the new spindle and tapped in a spline key with the flag cut off. The dial is tightly secured to the spindle at the original rotational location. Everything is back in place and working very well.

Quite often our enthusiastic members of the military have broken the dial off of their locked vault. I actually enjoyed these repair jobs. The vaults were simple to open with the known combo. Because it was Govt. I had to use new repair parts of the same or upgraded design. But, the broken dials and spindles have been used again, after repair, on other safes.

I have also made several small 'couplers' that spindles can be screwed into and pinned. The couplers are no more than brass sleeves that are tapped to 5/16-40 tpi.

So, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with replacing spindles. I often wish I had unlimited stock to draw from, but that is just too expensive to maintain. Customers get upset when you cannot fix their problem right-a-way. I always inquire about how fast they really need it and then explain the best I can do under the circumstances and let them make the choice. You can probably check out some of the larger lock and safe shops to ask about spindle pieces that were cut off when the new dial was installed on a safe. Or, you can buy one new dial with an 18" spindle and have a lot of extra to use.