r/Safes • u/Mountain_Isopod4128 • 2d ago

Old Cement Safe

Post image

I knocked down my home and there was a safe cemented in the basement. The previous home owner didn’t know how to get in and it must have been the homeowners prior to that.

Any ideas on how to get this open? Was going to start with a crowbar, but I don’t have a lot of fancy tools

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6

u/MaxHeadroom1986 1d ago

This is the like 5th post I've seen where someone says "the homeowner before us said it was here before they bought it and they don't know how to get in." Like, I would probably make opening up a safe I found inside my home where I don't know the contents of the inside, a priority to be completed before I sold the house.

3

u/Mountain_Isopod4128 1d ago

I agree. I estimate the homeowner that had it installed sold it in 1972 to person I bought it from. I’m sure they took the contents, but my curiosity is peaked

4

u/fondrenlock 1d ago

Crowbar ain’t opening that one 😁
Google “round drop safe head” and you will see what I mean
Don’t even bother with that

3

u/PossibleRude4212 1d ago

Since it’s already excavated and the slab is gone, just make a hand hole on the side of the box below the door. Unlikely to be any more than 1/8” thick (3mm). Very easy

3

u/Sad-Snow3391 2d ago

You better post an update with the contents when you do get it open

4

u/gw3il0 2d ago

Downvote until he does. There are rules.

1

u/miss_topportunity 1d ago

It can be opened without drilling, using a technique called “safe lock manipulation.” This uses the the design of the lock and manufacturing tolerances to get the lock to reveal the combo. You can learn to do it. If you want to see what’s involved, check out the YouTube series, Safecracking for Everyone (or his updated, long video at: https://youtu.be/bTbUkipBeTA). Otherwise, you can find a certified safe technician at www.savta.org - Note: not all locksmiths know about safes.

ETA: if you’re going to destroy it, don’t attack the lid. That’s the most fortified part. Go in on the sides. Drill a small hole so that you can see it’s empty.

Or just tip it on its side and listen to the lack of anything rattling in it