thekubiaks
Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2009
- Messages
- 4
Lessons learned:
I absolutely should have listened to the two safe experts that post on this forum (CB900F and A1ABJD)
What I discovered is just how flimsy RSC (Residential Security Container) rated safes actually are. I think they are no stronger than a heavy duty file cabinet with fire proofing. In my case, I needed to enlarge the anchor bolt holes in the floor of the safe just a little so that I could pass the concrete anchor bolts thru the 10 gauge steel. I thought it was going to be a bear since the metal was so strong. In actuality it took about 5 seconds and the drill bit went right thru. I also had a problem with the electronic lock mechanism on the front door so I took the interior wall off the 5" thick front of the safe door, what I found was a sheet of fireproofing, a lot of air, and probably an inch of fire-proofing and 10 gauge steel on the main door. A safe is only as strong as its weakest point. Now knowing what I do now (and you can bet a criminal will have at least a good idea of the weak points), I could easily get thru the top of the safe in 1 minute TOPS with a cutting torch. If I knew a little bit about the door, I could cut thru a few points and just open the door.
Another lesson learned. All this talk of how hard it is to move the safe is over-rated. If you have no steps or stairs, then you can most likely do it yourself. The freight guy used a pallet jack and moved this 700# safe effortlessly. Once I took over, I used a colson caster type 2 piece piano mover (rented for $15) and moved the safe quite easily. Tipping the safe off of the pallet was probably the most challenging part but only took about 15 minutes. If you have steps and stairs, then disregard and get someone else, it will be sporty. The good news is that I could easily move the safe, the bad news is that I could easily move the safe. Unless you bolt the safe to the floor, then a pallet jack or (what the freight guy told me) a couple of skateboards and the bad guys will just roll your file cabinet right out.
So, in my next life, I will listen to the experts and get an AMSEC. It is still RSC rated but I think the poured concrete in the walls is far superior to a majority of the other designs, it might even slow down a plasma cutting torch. I know that Ft. Knox is also recommended by the above experts and I have no knowledge of their design so can't comment one way or the other, probably good stuff if CB900F and A1ABDJ like them. I also think that since the safes are only a speed-bump, I should consider clever hiding locations, if the crooks can't find it, they can't steal it.
In my opinion, the RSC "safe" should be looked at as a speed bump to the bad guys. If you give a couple of pros 5 - 10 minutes, they will get into the safe. If the bad guys get 5 - 10 minutes in your house and the cops aren't on the way, then you need to upgrade your security system. If you want a real safe, then I'd look for a used jewelry company safes and have someone deliver the 2 - 3000 # monster. You still need a good alarm system, and vicious barky dogs are also a plus.
Cheers.
I absolutely should have listened to the two safe experts that post on this forum (CB900F and A1ABJD)
What I discovered is just how flimsy RSC (Residential Security Container) rated safes actually are. I think they are no stronger than a heavy duty file cabinet with fire proofing. In my case, I needed to enlarge the anchor bolt holes in the floor of the safe just a little so that I could pass the concrete anchor bolts thru the 10 gauge steel. I thought it was going to be a bear since the metal was so strong. In actuality it took about 5 seconds and the drill bit went right thru. I also had a problem with the electronic lock mechanism on the front door so I took the interior wall off the 5" thick front of the safe door, what I found was a sheet of fireproofing, a lot of air, and probably an inch of fire-proofing and 10 gauge steel on the main door. A safe is only as strong as its weakest point. Now knowing what I do now (and you can bet a criminal will have at least a good idea of the weak points), I could easily get thru the top of the safe in 1 minute TOPS with a cutting torch. If I knew a little bit about the door, I could cut thru a few points and just open the door.
Another lesson learned. All this talk of how hard it is to move the safe is over-rated. If you have no steps or stairs, then you can most likely do it yourself. The freight guy used a pallet jack and moved this 700# safe effortlessly. Once I took over, I used a colson caster type 2 piece piano mover (rented for $15) and moved the safe quite easily. Tipping the safe off of the pallet was probably the most challenging part but only took about 15 minutes. If you have steps and stairs, then disregard and get someone else, it will be sporty. The good news is that I could easily move the safe, the bad news is that I could easily move the safe. Unless you bolt the safe to the floor, then a pallet jack or (what the freight guy told me) a couple of skateboards and the bad guys will just roll your file cabinet right out.
So, in my next life, I will listen to the experts and get an AMSEC. It is still RSC rated but I think the poured concrete in the walls is far superior to a majority of the other designs, it might even slow down a plasma cutting torch. I know that Ft. Knox is also recommended by the above experts and I have no knowledge of their design so can't comment one way or the other, probably good stuff if CB900F and A1ABDJ like them. I also think that since the safes are only a speed-bump, I should consider clever hiding locations, if the crooks can't find it, they can't steal it.
In my opinion, the RSC "safe" should be looked at as a speed bump to the bad guys. If you give a couple of pros 5 - 10 minutes, they will get into the safe. If the bad guys get 5 - 10 minutes in your house and the cops aren't on the way, then you need to upgrade your security system. If you want a real safe, then I'd look for a used jewelry company safes and have someone deliver the 2 - 3000 # monster. You still need a good alarm system, and vicious barky dogs are also a plus.
Cheers.
Last edited: