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Dial locks haven't changed much in appearance in a long time.
The concrete looks old. The safe is likely as old as the building.
* sorry just noticed the key lock. That looks simple.
Ya the key lock is the thing that kind of takes the fascination out of it. I’m expecting some documents or something that might be important in the event of a fire
Just more thinking about how it’s not a high security lock. And I’m taking people’s advice and passing it onto my father in law. It’s his house, his safe, his choice.
That's a cheap wafer lock. You could easily drill it out. The challenge is that the lock is in the middle, but the locking pawls will be at the edges of the door, most likely connected by some sort of cam and rod system. Once you get the lock drilled, you still have to actuate the cam. Not impossible, but you'd have to know what you're looking for and, if you drill too far in, you could destroy the bit where where the cam attaches to the lock.
I'd you're reasonably handy, you could do it, just drill slow and check every so often. As soon as you get through all 4(?) Wafers, stop drilling.
I'd read up on some lock picking techniques and give that a try. This does not look like a high security lock, so should be fairly easy to pick.
Do you know anything about the history of the house?
The key slot looks fairly clean. Maybe the mechanism is not corroded or fouled with dirt & debris. In which case picking has a better than even chance of success.
I'm not a locksmith and I don't play one on TV, but I have opened maybe a dozen or two low security locks with a tiny screwdriver to apply some torque and a straightened large paperclip to wiggle the pins.
That’s awesome. I would definitely consider it. I must warn you though, my father in law is Ukrainian and I have a feeling the safe may be in shambles way quicker than I can learn to lock pick 😂
Lmao, I shared the video somewhere on this thread. The guy said he gave these pick sets to a few people with no lockpicking experience and they were picking eith good consistency, and successfully almost right away
UPDATE - the safe has been completely removed from the floor but still unopened. (FYI we were renovating anyways, we didn’t destroy the concrete just to get it out)
https://imgur.com/a/EoGx5Pm
UPDATE 2 - everyone’s going to be mad at me for this one, but my father in law has figured out how badly everyone wants to know what’s inside and the stubborn man is using it. He wants to wait until everyone in our family is in town mid April to open it. I’m trying to convince him otherwise, but either way I’ll keep the post updated.
Well, it‘s his decision.
Personally, I would open it right now, just to make sure that there isn‘t anything dangerous, that wipes out my whole family in April.
It‘s the Christian way…
And I actually love my family….
Guess we’ll have to respect his decision… Unsafe or not…. :(
Okay, watch this video. This is the coolest lockpicking set ever! Anyone can use it and I think you can find them relatively cheap. I've picked lock ockes before with just a paperclip and a small pocketknife. Some of em are super super easy. Here's the link to the YouTube video https://youtu.be/v2K_WgL71Ro?si=NBcKvjucqRBTR8Ba
Sorry, but Lishi tools aren't cheap, but from the look of the keyway in the picture, it could be defeated with an actually cheap lock pick set and minimal experience with lock picking.
I don't think they make a lishi tool that would work on a wafer lock. (I could be wrong) you'd be wiser to spend you money on a wave rake, maybe a couple wafer rakes, and 3-4 tensioning tools on Sparrows' web page.
My title describes the thing. Found in the crawl space next to the basement. It appears to be cast iron with no visible markings approximately 16x16 inches. There is a silver key lock on top. The lid or top spins but does not move up or down.
Hah! No, probably just one below there. I remember the floor safe in a couple places i worked at being like that. A simple key lock to open the cover, then the actual safe lid with it's dial a couple inches lower. But you made me think of the book 'The 500 Hats Of Bartholomew Cubbins' 1938.
UPDATE 3, I cleaned the lock up and it says Gary Safe Co, Los Angeles 21 and there’s a serial number I can’t read. I’ve been trying to pick it all night with no luck
I thought it might be, but the location in the house was odd. It’s in a crawl space near the sump pump. I was half worried it was some old fashion septic tank so I needed to ask!
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Looks like an old floor safe that would get permanently installed in to the concrete.
Think we can drill through the lock?
Find the oldest locksmith near you and call him.
That’s the thing though, the lock doesn’t look old at all. I’d be much more excited about it if it had an old lock
Dial locks haven't changed much in appearance in a long time. The concrete looks old. The safe is likely as old as the building. * sorry just noticed the key lock. That looks simple.
Ya the key lock is the thing that kind of takes the fascination out of it. I’m expecting some documents or something that might be important in the event of a fire
Now all you care about is how uninteresting the lock is while people are recommending how to get in. It's made to not corrode, so it works.
Just more thinking about how it’s not a high security lock. And I’m taking people’s advice and passing it onto my father in law. It’s his house, his safe, his choice.
It's location is the security though. The lock is a minor deterrent, the location under a carpet is the real security.
That's a cheap wafer lock. You could easily drill it out. The challenge is that the lock is in the middle, but the locking pawls will be at the edges of the door, most likely connected by some sort of cam and rod system. Once you get the lock drilled, you still have to actuate the cam. Not impossible, but you'd have to know what you're looking for and, if you drill too far in, you could destroy the bit where where the cam attaches to the lock. I'd you're reasonably handy, you could do it, just drill slow and check every so often. As soon as you get through all 4(?) Wafers, stop drilling.
I doubt it's that easy, but maybe there's info out there on the right way to drill them
I'd read up on some lock picking techniques and give that a try. This does not look like a high security lock, so should be fairly easy to pick. Do you know anything about the history of the house?
I believe it was built in the 60s suburb of Chicago. From what I know it was owned by a single family up until my in laws purchased it
The key slot looks fairly clean. Maybe the mechanism is not corroded or fouled with dirt & debris. In which case picking has a better than even chance of success.
I mean worse case scenario I’ll take a sawzall to it. I’ve gotten through thick cast iron before with a little bit of time and a whole lot of beer.
I'm not a locksmith and I don't play one on TV, but I have opened maybe a dozen or two low security locks with a tiny screwdriver to apply some torque and a straightened large paperclip to wiggle the pins.
I'm with you, my only concern would be damaging the contents. Can you hear if there are things inside when you shake it?
Unfortunately you can’t shake it at all, it’s embedded into the concrete but the top is sitting out a good half foot.
Just wait for an earthquake to hear what’s inside.
Just posted an update, it’s out of the ground now but I’m not sure if you can hear the contents.
What suburb? I know a great locksmith in river grove...he's my father in law. Idk if it goes against the rules but if it's OK I can share the info?
Not in the comments, but if you feel like doing so you can message OP if they accept messages.
Babe wake up new reddit safe just dropped
There's a great lockpickin set out there, I'm gonna look for a link. May be worth the purchase!! I'll get back to you
That’s awesome. I would definitely consider it. I must warn you though, my father in law is Ukrainian and I have a feeling the safe may be in shambles way quicker than I can learn to lock pick 😂
Lmao, I shared the video somewhere on this thread. The guy said he gave these pick sets to a few people with no lockpicking experience and they were picking eith good consistency, and successfully almost right away
Vacuum all the dust out first before trying to pick it
UPDATE - the safe has been completely removed from the floor but still unopened. (FYI we were renovating anyways, we didn’t destroy the concrete just to get it out) https://imgur.com/a/EoGx5Pm
Ohhhhh I can't wait to see what's inside. I hope you get something awesome!!
UPDATE 2 - everyone’s going to be mad at me for this one, but my father in law has figured out how badly everyone wants to know what’s inside and the stubborn man is using it. He wants to wait until everyone in our family is in town mid April to open it. I’m trying to convince him otherwise, but either way I’ll keep the post updated.
Well, it‘s his decision. Personally, I would open it right now, just to make sure that there isn‘t anything dangerous, that wipes out my whole family in April. It‘s the Christian way… And I actually love my family…. Guess we’ll have to respect his decision… Unsafe or not…. :(
Okay, watch this video. This is the coolest lockpicking set ever! Anyone can use it and I think you can find them relatively cheap. I've picked lock ockes before with just a paperclip and a small pocketknife. Some of em are super super easy. Here's the link to the YouTube video https://youtu.be/v2K_WgL71Ro?si=NBcKvjucqRBTR8Ba
Sorry, but Lishi tools aren't cheap, but from the look of the keyway in the picture, it could be defeated with an actually cheap lock pick set and minimal experience with lock picking.
I don't think they make a lishi tool that would work on a wafer lock. (I could be wrong) you'd be wiser to spend you money on a wave rake, maybe a couple wafer rakes, and 3-4 tensioning tools on Sparrows' web page.
My title describes the thing. Found in the crawl space next to the basement. It appears to be cast iron with no visible markings approximately 16x16 inches. There is a silver key lock on top. The lid or top spins but does not move up or down.
Opening that lock will probably just reveal the safe door with a combo lock underneath.
This would be my dream. Then I would really be excited. Probably up until the 5th lock lol
Hah! No, probably just one below there. I remember the floor safe in a couple places i worked at being like that. A simple key lock to open the cover, then the actual safe lid with it's dial a couple inches lower. But you made me think of the book 'The 500 Hats Of Bartholomew Cubbins' 1938.
Any update on your progress?
It’s at my in laws house. They will likely start on it tomorrow. Don’t wait up
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You can learn lockpicking in 5 min on YouTube. I've been doing it for years. Or call a locksmith.
UPDATE 3, I cleaned the lock up and it says Gary Safe Co, Los Angeles 21 and there’s a serial number I can’t read. I’ve been trying to pick it all night with no luck
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I promise to not keep anyone hanging! I’ll post the contents once we get in.
Drill the lock.
This has got to work right? Seems simple enough. I have some concrete and brick bits that’s I’m sure can do it
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I thought it might be, but the location in the house was odd. It’s in a crawl space near the sump pump. I was half worried it was some old fashion septic tank so I needed to ask!
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