Safes
Opening
Whether you’ve
forgotten your combination or your safe has malfunctioned,
Economy Lock & Safe Service is equipped with the knowledge and
tools to professionally open and repair your safe.
Whenever possible,
depending on the type of safe and/or nature of a malfunction
it's quite possible that we can open your safe without ever
reaching for a drill. Sometimes though, that just isn't
possible.
Unlike amateurs who
will quote a "low-ball" price, then "learn as they go" - often
destroying a customer's safe by turning it into "Swiss cheese"
- if we do have to drill your safe, rest assured that it will
be done in a professional manner, using the proper tools and
knowledge acquired though years of experience, continuing
education, and an extensive library of professional reference
materials. And unlike a botched amateur opening, once we drill
your safe it will still be repairable!
There are different
type of safes intended for very different jobs.
Fire safes are
built for the sole purpose of protecting their contents from
heat, smoke and water damage during a fire. They are not
intended to withstand physical attacks.
Burglary safes are
rated against physical attacks, but provide little if any
protection from fire. They are intended for the storage of cash
and other valuables.
Composite safes provide
protection against both fire and burglary.
Servicing
Safe servicing is
something that is often overlooked by the end user. Day in and
day out people will dial open their safe, never thinking about
the precision mechanism inside the safe that allows the safe to
be locked and unlocked. Sometimes a safe will give you warnings
about the impending doom. Many times, however, there will be no
warning whatsoever.
Repairs
If you begin to have
trouble opening your safe, you should have it checked out right
away. Waiting until it won’t open before you call in a
professional can be a costly mistake. Once you are faced with a
lock-out it can often cost several hundred dollars just to get
the safe open (often requiring drilling), before repairs can
even be made. Plus… not only do you have to repair the original
problem, now you may also need to repair the drilled opening.
By putting off the
repair until after you’re locked out a $120 problem can become a
$500 (and up) problem, literally overnight. That’s more than
some safes are even worth, but remember, your stuff’s
locked in it!
Combination Changes
Some safes have
mechanical combination locks that are user changeable (if you
must). Others are definitely best left to the professional!
While the actual procedures may differ from one manufacturer to
another, the basic idea is the same.
Key Change
1) Dial the combination
to the special "change" index. (This may be a line on the dial
ring, approximately eight to ten numbers to the left of the
"opening" index which is located at twelve o'clock and is
normally used to open the safe. On some models, the combination
change index line is not visible and must be calculated
according to the manufacturer's specifications. And on some
safes the change index is the same as the opening index.)
2) Insert a special
"change key" tool into the back of the lock and turn 1/4 turn or
1/2 turn, depending on the manufacturer.
3) Dial the new
combination to the change index.
4) Turn the change tool
back and remove.
5 Try the new
combination SEVERAL times with the door in the OPEN position.
DO NOT CLOSE THE DOOR until you are absolutely certain the the
new combination is working correctly.
WARNING: Attempting to change a safe combination can be
disastrous if you don't do it correctly. The cost of opening a
safe after a botched combination change can run from $95 to
hundreds of dollars (plus repairs). If in doubt, call a
professional!
Hand Change
Unless you are
EXTREMELY mechanically inclined, hand change combination locks
should definitely be left to a professional. The changing of
these combinations requires disassembly of the wheel
pack.
Digital
Locks

Installations
Safes really don't
provide much protection if someone can simply pick it up and
carry it out the door. To prevent this, small to medium sized
safes should be bolted down to the floor. (Make'em work for it!)