Security on a safe, How to drill

[Mike P]

Hi, My friend is getting a new safe, And has asked me to provide some security for it. He also has a New Potter electronic vibration detector system. He has a master and a remote(Ebay). I looked at the instructions and it all seems straight forward. The question I have is has anybody ever driiled into the outside of safe? Any special bit required? The instructions call for #8 screws. I will have to drill and tap a couple of holes for each unit. Any suggestions? The safe will have a gloss finish.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[CollinR]

It should come predrilled, otherwise you would need more then one bit if it's worth a damn.

 

[Mike P]

It should come predrilled, otherwise you would need more then one bit if it's worth a damn.

It's not going to be predrilled. Guess I should just figure a 1/2 dos. bits and taps per device.

Mike

 

[gatchel]

Make sure it is not a glass relocker. If you drill the door and break the glass you may lock the safe permanently. If it is a fire safe there is concrete behind the thick steel. You may want to epoxy the contacts to it instead of drilling the screws. If you mount the contacts inside the door you can use the bolt down hole to run in the wire but then you can't bolt it down. You may have to use 2 steel bits and a masonary bit to get through it depending on how careful you are.

You could also epoxy a plate to the outside and then fix the devices to it. Good luck!

 

[Sacedog]

Yeah, I put my contacts on the inside of the safe. It is a American Security fire safe, and had a small hole in the rear for a power cord for an electric dehumidifier. The 22/2 came in through that hole.

 

[Steve]

Is is just me that finds something kinda funny about security for a safe? I would think that if a safe needs security, it's not a very good safe to begin with???

 

[BrettS]

Is is just me that finds something kinda funny about security for a safe? I would think that if a safe needs security, it's not a very good safe to begin with???

It can also be used to monitor access to the safe... see when it's been opened and such.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Although not totally secure, you could put a surface mount sensor on the outside. If you wanted it to be more secure, use a Magnasphere.

 

[Mike P]

Make sure it is not a glass relocker. If you drill the door and break the glass you may lock the safe permanently. If it is a fire safe there is concrete behind the thick steel. You may want to epoxy the contacts to it instead of drilling the screws. If you mount the contacts inside the door you can use the bolt down hole to run in the wire but then you can't bolt it down. You may have to use 2 steel bits and a masonary bit to get through it depending on how careful you are.

You could also epoxy a plate to the outside and then fix the devices to it. Good luck!

Thanks, yes it fire safe. The epoxy is a good idea. I don't feel to secure knowing that the devices are glued in place. I am planning on two drilled and tapped mounting locations. I guess about an 1/8" deep hole should cover it. Thanks for the relocker tip, But I will be mounting the sensors on the sides of the safe. So I guess I will go with the original plan, Buy a bunch of bits and taps and muscle through it....

 

[Mike P]

Is is just me that finds something kinda funny about security for a safe? I would think that if a safe needs security, it's not a very good safe to begin with???

Steve, What happens when somebody gets in and has 12 hours to pound and drill on a safe. Even the best safe will fail, Even if you spent 10G on a safe, With enough time it will be opened or dragged out on taken away.
Mike

 

[sic0048]

I think it would be helpful to have a sensor on the safe, but would consider it more of a monitoring device (like BrettS suggested). Putting a sensor inside the safe isn't going to prevent a thief from doing their thing. Hopefully the overall security of the premise is such that a thief doesn't have enough time to mess with the safe before the authorities respond to the alarm call. But I can see where having it monitored might be helpful to keep track of other people entering the safe (like family or known individuals that have access to the location on a regular basis).

In other words, it won't help against the random break-in but could really help prevent theft or unauthorized access from people you know and trust. Combine the sensor with a video camera that covers the safe and have even better protection (or at least evidence to confront someone with).

 

[gatchel]

Is is just me that finds something kinda funny about security for a safe? I would think that if a safe needs security, it's not a very good safe to begin with???

Steve, What happens when somebody gets in and has 12 hours to pound and drill on a safe. Even the best safe will fail, Even if you spent 10G on a safe, With enough time it will be opened or dragged out on taken away.
Mike

If your system is set up properly you get a supervisory or a trouble and you meet the person or persons with 12 a gauge...