Anybody have one? Or have some clever ideas for one?

I bought a $40 "lunch box" safe from Staples, only to find out that the inside temperature gets up to 350* F during a fire. Not much stuff wil survive at those temps, so I think those units are all marketing hype.

My house has a large crawl space below the master bedroom's closet, and I need to get new carpet soon. So I figure I'd drop a safe in between two of the floor joists and have a secret door to get to it. They cost about $500 though. For $1000 I can get a darn full size gun safe!

Maybe it's just a waste, and I should spend my money on a home security system?

WHats the goal - stopping theft or fire protection?

If it's just theft, you don't need an expensive safe, just a good hiding space. If it's fire protection, you need a "fire safe" designed for high temps.

If just theft, I'd go the paint can route. Old empty paint can in the basment isn't going to attract any attention. And keep in mind that any safe you can carry into your house, someone can carry back out.

If you want to go the floor route, just fab it out of plywood and have it under the carpet like you mention. If they can't find it, what it's made out of doesn't matter.

I guess I did get sidetracked on the purpose there.

It's more for fire protection.
I just tossed in the theft stuff as aside bar. To prevent the kids from getting at the hand guns. (* note, I have no kids) :D

Something like this might be the ticket - note the floor bolt option. Put it in the closet and have a piece of 1/2" sheet steel on the other side of the floor to bolt to.

http://www.wilsonsafe.com/acatalog/Model_119_Fire_Safe_131.html

I agree with Kurt :)

measure the closet & buy the biggest thickest heaviest fireproof Vault (gun safe) that will fit... then lag bolt it through the floor to a 1/4 steel plate under the floor beams ...

one thing I've learned there is no such thing as a safe thats too big !!! then load the bottom with ammo ....then loaded it will weigh in around 1500-2000lbs an't no one moving it unless its emptied &: they came with a special dolly to do it !!!.. P.S. heaven help anyone trying to cut it open with a plasma cutter :D

one thing I've learned there is no such thing as a safe thats too big !!!

That might depend on the strenth of the floor he's placing it on ;)

That 1st floor safe could quickly become a basement model :D

That maight depend on the strenth of the floor he's placing it on ;)

That 1st floor safe could quickly become a basement model :D

Oh........ Ok ...... patch the floor & think how hard its going to be to get out of there :D :thumbsup: ROFLMAO

Oh........ Ok ...... patch the floor & think how hard its going to be to get out of there :D :thumbsup: ROFLMAO

That where you put the hidden trap door!

Mike, they do make document safes that will keep the paper from catching on fire. It is not so much the inside temp as it is the hour rating. They are sealed so without oxygen the paper won't burn. That is why they are rated by the hour. Most small safes are 1 to 2 hour rated and for 1200 to 1800 degrees. If your home burned down it would only produce that kind of heat for about 30 minutes.

Mike, search my screen name and the word 'safe' (I don't know how to link to that thread through search).

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150968&highlight=safe

I bought a used office fire file (4 drawer) at a used office place for $75. Weighs about 500#. Its designed to keep papers from burning for up to 2 hours.

I sell safes and can tell you that "most" of the safes you can buy from local stores are garbage. If you want a good safe go to your local locksmith. Stick with Amsec or Gardall and you won't go wrong. Wilson makes some decent models also. I would personally avoid Brinks and Meilink. I have spent a lot of time opening them for customers due to failure. They are more for fire protection then burglary. I would also only buy a safe that passed UL testing. A good chice is a safe that has a "BF" listing, meaning it was tested for burglary and fire ratings. I also agree that the biggest mistake people make is not buying a safe bigger then they think you will need. PM me if you need some help.

http://www.amsecusa.com/

http://www.gardall.com/

Pat

Thanks guys! Alan. I don't know why I didn't use the search function. I just posted on a whim.

Pat, thanks for those links. I will read over Alan's thread and google some of the names you mentioned. I'll probably do this in a few months. I have several other house projects going on.

Good friend had a Browning gun safe that is guaranteed to be un-breakable. It was in his upstairs lagged to wall studs. While he was gone, thieves found it, got it loose from the wall and took it down two flights of stairs to the basement. Once there, they went to work and pried the thing open! Browning couldn't believe it, but they paid for everything stolen. It was supposed to be the most secure gun safe you could buy. I would build a "hiding place" if all you want is a place to store valuables. For fire protection, get a lockbox at your bank.

When I read the title i thought maybe you now have a 300+ lb GF.:D
Have you thought about a safety deposit box at your local bank? That's where we keep our most importanest papers.

I don't much likes banks, the hours they keep, and the not-so-helpful people that work there. It takes for ever just to walk in and make a deposit.

Thanks guys! Alan. I don't know why I didn't use the search function. I just posted on a whim.

Pat, thanks for those links. I will read over Alan's thread and google some of the names you mentioned. I'll probably do this in a few months. I have several other house projects going on.

Some good stories in that thread I started. Always good to hear people's experience. This thread has brought forth additional stories.

Buy two safes that are exactly the same. Install them side-by-side. Then the robber has to make a choice. Leave one empty except for a note that says "wrong one, try again" :D

I have yet to buy a safe. Too much other stuff demanding my money (which isn't a very good excuse).

I have seen every type of safe broken into or completly stolen. I have seen a burglar crushed to death by a money safe that he tried to get down a flight of stairs. I have even seen one brought to the roof of a store and thrown down into the parking lot in hopes of breaking it open. The most secure thing you can do is get a big floor safe and mount it in concrete. The cover that comes with it will allow it to remain concealed under carpet and nobody will even find it. One thing though, remember that floor safes are not fire proof unless installed in the ground. I have seen guys bolt them down to the floor and think their paperwork is protected. Also make sure that any paperwork that is stored in a fire safe is double ziploc bagged. They let off moisture and will mold if not opened frequently. They are also far from waterproof and will fill up in the event of a fire.

If you are afraid that the floor will buckle under the weight of a fully loaded gun safe, go to Home Depot, or wherever and buy the floor jacks used to repair saggy floo joists. They hold up gob loads of weight and would work like a charm for you.

I. Also make sure that any paperwork that is stored in a fire safe is double ziploc bagged. They let off moisture and will mold if not opened frequently. They are also far from waterproof and will fill up in the event of a fire.

Now I hadn't thought of that. Looks like a baggy weekend, hope the neighbors don't think I've went into the dope business. Thanks for the tip. Patrick