Bought old safe. Worrying about locked out.

[Sockeye]

Hello friends.

Very happy to have found such a great forum.

Some months ago I decided to get a secure storage for documents/valuable that regular household could possess. I was looking for something of a greater security than a standard 12 guage sheet metal gun safes from the youtube safe cracking videos.
Not after too long I came what appeared to be a great unit for very low price and I organised the transport of this safe home.

Well, it is still great. It came with all the keys in several duplicates and instructions. I easily change the 4 disc lock to my own combination. Everything is great, but... I am kinda scared that one day I may be locked out.
While everything appears to be functioning fine so far, I blocked the glass relocking pins out of the fear they may fire and lock me out. I used cuts of tin can secured around the bolts with hose clamps.

What is the likelihood of glass relocker or lock itself going bad?

Is this once in the blue moon situation or things like that happen all the time?

If the worst happen and I am locked out, can this safe be cut/drilled out/opened to retrieve the content? What could the job like this potentially cost?

The unit weighs just over 1.5 ton (3500 LBS) and rather sizable. Despite my paranoia I quite enjoy owning this piece and would like to retain it in the family.

Please see the pictures below. Any input is very welcome.

[billdeserthills]

It's pretty rare for a modern safe combo lock to just quit working. The safes I have opened over the
years usually gradually work worse and worse, until they no longer open at all. My advice is that you
be careful to notice when your safe first begins to work abnormally and if you begin doubting that it
is working correctly, that you open the door and carefully test the lock, by dialing the combo several
to many times (4-6) and noting that it either does work correctly each time or not. Also if/when you
determine that the safe is no longer working as it should be (doesn't dial open when it should) that you
take steps to repair or replace the lock--Before it stops opening at all--that part about opening the lock,
after it stops working is the scary + expensive part and is easily solved, by noticing when it begins to act
up & not waiting for it to totally stop working altogether

I have detected some safe locks working 8 or 9 out of ten tries and catching a malfunction early saves $$$

[stratmando]

Nice Safe. I have had that fear too. I would Study the insides, and see what it would take to Secure or deal with the Relockers, and any drill
point(s) to Help you in with Minimal destruction, or having to Call some with a Bag of Tricks.
I am a Novice, I Know a Little.

[ltdbjd]

Outstanding advice. I'd like to add to it.

I'd suggest having the safe serviced annually, or at least every two years, by a qualified safe technician. It shouldn't cost a lot, but in any event it will cost you far, far less than it would it you got locked out. An annual service will include an inspection, cleaning, and [proper] lubrication. It can also help catch minor problems before they become major.

It's amazing how many people have had a safe for decades, and never even thought about having it serviced. It's a good idea to have it done regularly. I liken it to having a tune-up on your car, or a physical exam by your doctor. There's a good chance nothing major will be found, but if it is, you'll be greatful it was found early.

I get the impression you bought the safe used. If this is the case, I'd get it serviced as soon as you can, because there is no way of knowing when or if it has ever been serviced.

This all goes back to what Billdeserthills said; catch problems early. And a qualified safe technician can identify problems you may not have noticed.

[Sockeye]

Thank you all.

Will get a local safe specialist to change safe's oil and filters, and will keep an eye on the lock deteoration.

I lubricated the boltwork with a bit of petroleum jelly, but didn't open the lock body. I'd stay away from it unless I know what I am doing.

Has anyone had to deal with shattered glass relocker before?

[Squelchtone]

Has anyone had to deal with shattered glass relocker before?

Since this was one of your original concerns and not answered by the others, no, glass relockers don't just shatter suddenly inside a safe due to old age. If anything, moving the safe with a crane and driving down a road on the back of a tow truck, that's the sort of vibration that might do something, so if after the move the glass looks intact, then it should be fine for another 50 years without just suddenly cracking into pieces on you.

and dont grease anything inside the combination lock! leave that to a safe tech. and do call a real safe tech, dont just call a local locksmith, not all locksmiths are also trained as safe techs. Are you in the UK or US?

nice safe, we're all jealous of such a nice find!

Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

Chubb is a recognized name, and makes some decent stuff.

Gordon

[Sockeye]

Has anyone had to deal with shattered glass relocker before?

and dont grease anything inside the combination lock! leave that to a safe tech. and do call a real safe tech, dont just call a local locksmith, not all locksmiths are also trained as safe techs. Are you in the UK or US?

nice safe, we're all jealous of such a nice find!

Squelchtone

Appreciate your answer.

I am in Australia. Thing are generally expensive here, but this safe was rather affordable. $500.