The Hurt Locker (modified chest)

[Cosmoline]

I'm doing some tweaking to the old Knaack box and adding a shelf. This is the beta version but it will ultimately have 6 rifle racks and space for two rifles and multiple handguns on what may end up being a flip-up shelf.

No explosives, just smokeless ammo, lead and various heavy items. The box runs a lot less than an upright gun safe of similar size. It's not as burglar resistant of course, but they'd have a heck of a time moving that thing out of the hole it's sitting in with all that bulk lead in there.

 

[USAF-ORF]

I love it

concrete drills + bolts. that would make it harder to drag. Hmmm?

 

[gunnutery]

Very nice.

 

[Chris-bob]

I like it.

 

[doc2rn]

Needs to be painted drab olive green, but I like the concept!

 

[The-Reaver]

Yeah, I'm loving the concept.

 

[fireman 9731]

I bet there would be a market for a chest type safe. Imagine one at the foot of every red blooded American's bed!

 

[CoRoMo]

Maybe a couple long guns can be 'hung' on the lid too?

Cool idea.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Nice, but isn't that a little too heavy to carry on your bicycle?!

Seriously, I like it. I want one just for ammo now that I've seen that. I keep my guns and my ammo separate (other than home defense/carry) because I'm paranoid.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Years ago Amsec made a horizontal RSC. I wish I bought a few.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm thinking I may be able to make the existing ad hoc lid flip up pretty easily, so I may end up just sticking some hooks into it to hold the firearms upside down when they're flipped up to access the contents underneath. There's a generous amount of space under the Knaack box lid.

I also put some mountain house in there so if the zombies invade I can hop in ;-)

 

[heeler]

Truely a decent poor man's gun safe.
I have a friend that stores bulk ammo in a contrators job box about that size as his Fort Knox simply wont hold no mo.
Scour the pawn shops for these job boxes as they do turn up.
You can always get it painted or have a truck liner place spray the outside for a very durablr crinkle black finish.

 

[bbuddtec]

Cosmoline, I got sucked in by the title, saw your pics, and said...


"Hell yeahh!"... "great idea with the racks.." I thought to myself...

I'm right there with this one.

Oh yeah... Good Job!

Ps, how' you going to get your brandy when the lid closes? hehe

 

[USAF-ORF]

Fire Proofing

Love this idea. Was wondering if you lined the box with sheet rock or those concrete panels, if that would help create some fire proofing.

 

[Cosmoline]

I think the heat would transfer pretty quickly regardless. But then again how fireproof are the expensive safes when you're talking about a modern house fire? I don't think any firearms survive those things. Even if they're semi intact the steel can never be trusted again.

 

[ultradoc]

that is nice.

 

[7.62 Nato]

Hey, that's my box! You can still see my name right on the ammo can.

J/K But I did the same thing about a month ago. Yours appears to be larger, or a different model. Mine does not have the center latch, only the end ones. Couldn't beat the price used for less than a Stack-On gun cabinet.

I want to secure the carry handles in the closed position so it's not as easily moved by unauthorized persons. I'm thinking of running bolts through the handle channel from inside the box when open. Similar to the rods, or straps the keep tool chest drawers locked when the lid is down.

 

[Cosmoline]

So you're Radway Green, eh? Always wanted to meet you.

This one is the Model 2472 Jobmaster. Runs about $700 new, which is a lot less than a comparably sized gun safe. Weighs about 200 pounds empty but it's not too difficult to move by yourself using cardboard skids.

With the bulk lead, ammo and guns in there I can't even lift one side with the handle. It's got to be upwards of 600 or 700 pounds now. And it's in a nearly impossible place. I thought about bolting it down but in a way I want a thief to be able to try to move it, so he can waste time and get flustered while making a heck of racket. Short of four guys in there, nobody is getting that beast out of the hobbit hole, around the corner, through two narrow doors and up the steps. And if they do my neighbors will see all of it.

The big weakness of these chests is apparently the ease with which that steel can be cut with a torch. Obviously true explosives or black powder are a strict no-no in such a container due to the hazard to firemen, but the thief would end up burning the contents trying to open it. Probably cook off some rounds, too. My goal is to simply make it more trouble than it's worth. So he'll grab up the easier things like the collection of retro 80's CD's or the print of Calvin Coolidge.

 

[hogshead]

I like it .

 

[heeler]

Cosmoline,what are you using to keep the rifle racks in place??
I thought some good old industrial adhesive such as Liquid Nail from Lowes or Home Depot would work good for that.
Or possibly some strong industrial velcro.

 

[Cosmoline]

Good question. At that point I was wedging them in place. After some tweaking I ended up being able to use double-sided adhesive tape to secure one, and some glued shims on the bottom to keep the other in place. It ain't purty but it works. Those are just cheapo racks I picked up at good will, so you can't do much construction with them before they start to fall apart.

 

[CoRoMo]

Why the duct tape on the AR?

 

[Cosmoline]

I love the old style handguard but after 100 rounds or so it starts to heat up. The tape gives enough insulation to keep my finger from getting burned, and keeps my finger tip from touching the barrel through the hole.