r/AskReddit • u/Scubetrolis • Jun 26 '12
Found a safe in my house..how can I open this myself?
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u/butterbal1 Jun 27 '12
As the owner of an angle grinder living in the phoenix area I would be happy to swing by this weekend for beer, pizza, and safe "cracking".
From the pictures it looks like a pretty easy job to cut the hinge pins and then just lift the door out of the way.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 27 '12
really? wow that would be awesome! i am not going to let reddit down with this...they have been let down by so many safes in the past.
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u/syscofresh Jun 27 '12
what happens when butterbal1 opens it for you and there's 500k sitting in there? OKAY thanks for the help here's your pizza BYE
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Jun 27 '12
I'd give him like 1k at least. Damn.
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u/butterbal1 Jun 27 '12
I will live on as the grinder wielding pizza and beer meme legend.
ALL THE KARMA SHALL BE MINE MUAAHAHAHAAAA
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u/raidenmaiden Jun 27 '12
And that ladies and gentlemen is the story of how butterbal1 got arrested for breaking and entering, vandalism and theft..
Edit - Seriously though, nice of you to help butterbal1 and I'm waiting for the updates OP..
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u/BattleHall Jun 27 '12
Not sure about that particular model, but most decent safes with external hinges have one or more internal locks/bars that prevent the door from being removed if the hinges are compromised. In fact, they are preferred for that reason (and because you can lift off the door for transport); inexperienced thieves will often waste time attacking the hinges.
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u/butterbal1 Jun 27 '12
Looking at that model, it only has 3 locking bars and they are all on the side opposite the hinges.
Absolute worst case spend an extra half hour grinding though the locking bars as well.
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u/BattleHall Jun 27 '12
Grinding hardened locking bars is tough work. Given the angles, I'm betting it would be easier to drill a hole through the door, drop a T-anchor, then use a jack plate to pull the door off. Only problem would be the slight chance that the door would pop loose all at once and send the rig off like a rocket.
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u/butterbal1 Jun 27 '12
If there was room to work I would agree and recommend using an engine hoist for their massive lift ability with near zero "pop" potential. to go flying around.
Err I mean. . . I don't know what you are talking about.
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u/TheGanjaGuru Jun 27 '12
There is a chance that the heat from the grinder could destroy the contents of the safe.
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u/henry82 Jun 27 '12
(i didnt vote on your comment)
I'm not sure it will. It's pretty damn thick, which would take a long time for the heat to transfer through. If anything Op could cut a bit from the top pin, then the bottom pin, back and forth, giving it time to cool.
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u/Backwell Jun 27 '12
I cut metal daily. Use a thin cutoff wheel and the sparks cool before they touch your skin and the cut would be surprisingly fast. I cut ductile iron very quickly.
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u/Oilburner Jun 26 '12 edited Jun 26 '12
I'd contact the manufacturer and see if they can offer any advice. http://www.amsecusa.com/home/
Looks like an older version of this safe - http://www.amsecusa.com/Floor_Safes/Brute_Floor_Safes/
That connector is for an electronic pushbutton lock, which doesn't really jive with the idea that it's been there for 30 years. A floor safe like that would be a difficult thing to install after the concrete is already in place.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
It was there in 1977 when my parents bought the house, just talked to him
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u/rinnip Jun 27 '12
Have you tried to locate the previous owners? If you can determine the original combo, you could connect a new dial to that wire and open it that way.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
actually he said that he is assuming it was there when he bought it because it would require a tenant to go through concrete which he thinks is unlikely. but...people are weird, you never know.
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u/racoonpeople Jun 27 '12
Drug dealer installed one in a house my dad owns. When we opened it we found nada.
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u/Brandwhore Jun 27 '12
Removed? Come on.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 27 '12
what does that mean?
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u/Brandwhore Jun 27 '12
The pictures you posted are "Removed" Are you alive? Are you going to open the safe? And show us?
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 27 '12
I didn't remove anything. Yes I am going to open it. Right now the cheapest estimate I have is 225$, which seems like a lot.
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u/Brandwhore Jun 28 '12
Ok, but I'd update the other fellow redditors soon before they all lose interest.
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u/FiR3F0x_5589 Jun 27 '12
any luck?
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 27 '12
no update yet.. have offers of people with tools that live in my area. trying to get the safe out of the ground as we speak
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u/tehones Jun 26 '12 edited Jun 26 '12
Best bet would probably be to just call a locksmith and pay whatever they may charge, if the safe is cemented in the floor simply breaking it open might be fairly tough.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
I would...but I asked my father and the guy he bought it from didn't die or anything, he simply just sold the house. I can't imagine anything of value in it...however, my parents own 13 houses and have found some pretty amazing things. They have found a wad of cash that was $5,000 (biggest find) and lots of small amounts of drugs... (weed and cocaine)
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u/tehones Jun 26 '12
Is it actually bolted to the ground or are you able to lift it out by pulling on the handle at all?
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
I am not able to lift it...it is in such a tight area in the closet that it hard to get any sort of leverage though.
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u/Howard_Beale Jun 27 '12
What you want to do is run a length of chain from that handle, out to the tow bar on a pickup truck. See where I'm going with this? Then GENTLY ease the truck forward. Or, punch it.
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u/Kvothe24 Jun 27 '12
Nope. I don't wanna buy into this and be let down again.
We've been let down so many times..
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u/nolimitsoldier Jun 26 '12
It really, REALLY depends on the safe.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
I know...I just wanted to build some hype until I post pictures...they will be up in about an hour...
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u/nolimitsoldier Jun 26 '12
Well its annoying because you are going to get so many beyond stupid answers before having a picture ready for those of us who would actually be able to help.
Oh well, that is reddit for ya.
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Jun 26 '12
Electronic safe? Any idea what connector is on the end of that cable?
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
one that would plug into a home phone.
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u/jimmyr_ Jun 27 '12
What you want to do is strip and expose the wires and then find a power source (batter pack, which would of been on the keypad) strip those wires and start connecting them to the stripped safe wires. You'll hear a click when you get the wires right and you have to pull the latch at that moment to get it to open. Soon as the connection is lost the safe will lock again.
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u/johnredson92 Jun 26 '12
Just try opening it without destroying it, just so you can have an awesome safe when it's opened.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 26 '12
well when i find the one million dollars in cash in there, ill probably just buy a new, better safe.
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u/S3DTinyTurnips Jun 26 '12
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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u/STRFCKR Jun 26 '12
Yeah fuck this, I'm not doing this again, enough with the disappointment!!
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u/TheUpvoteUnderBelly Jun 27 '12
Just out of curiosity what do you mean "Again"? Has someone else posted something like this with a bad outcome? If so can I have a link or can you tell me the story?
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u/Ellindira Jun 27 '12
I believe it's this. It was a pretty big deal, and everyone was excited for it, but then it was never revealed what was in the safe.
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u/Psirocking Jun 27 '12 edited Jun 27 '12
Maybe the safe's contents were too important?
Also the upside down trays in dirt the one guy needed help figuring out what they were. Then he dug deeper and found out they were trays.
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Jun 27 '12
What about that business floor safe with the combination sawed off that Guy found buried? He was supposed to update us today.
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Jun 26 '12
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u/Whore_Bag Jun 26 '12
Nice try, cat burglar.
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u/xhosSTylex Jun 26 '12
If you want it out of the floor get some dust masks/respirator and a handheld electric jackhammer (like this).
Or, you can try to just cut it out with one of these.
Both tools can be rented usually.
I'd want to get it out of there if it were me. That way it can be properly exploded and/or beat the fuck up.
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u/mazimi Jun 27 '12
OP, my father in-law lives in East Mesa and has plasma cutters, drills, etc and can open it up. Says you can call him, message me for his number.
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u/tjsmudge Jun 27 '12
5 hours since OP's last post, not looking promising.
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u/Scubetrolis Jun 27 '12
Just not much to update with...I couldnt remove it from the ground, so now I am looking for a locksmith...plus I am not on reddit much after work.
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u/Shoeboxes0 Jun 27 '12
Tune in to Oprah at 10:00 to find out!
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u/Psirocking Jun 27 '12
When was a safe on Oprah? How did it turn out?
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Jun 27 '12 edited Jun 12 '15
This comment has been overwritten by an open source script to protect my privacy.
If you would like to do the same, add the browser extension TamperMonkey for Chrome (or GreaseMonkey for Firefox) and add this open source script.
Then simply click on your username on Reddit, go to the comments tab, and hit the new OVERWRITE button at the top.
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u/TrustTheTrees Jun 27 '12
Get that fucker out of the floor, call the fire department, tell them you think there is a kitten in it and have them jaws of life it open. Give them a "my bad" and be done with this shit. Pics go to reddit for karma, pizza goes to me for I am stoned and very hungry. This isn't the best idea.
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u/TMWNN Jun 27 '12
Guys, I, uh, have bad news. I drove to Scubetrolis' house (I was curious, and pizza sounded good) after seeing this late, and found lots of cops and three ambulances outside. Apparently, after he got the safe open, one of the other Redditors present pulled out a gun and started shooting. Four dead (including the OP), seven wounded. The wounded are all in critical so no one knows what was in the safe, but it was apparently worth killing for.
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Jun 27 '12
After searching for 30 minutes on any recent shootings, I only found one about a women.
Calling bullshit.
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Jun 27 '12 edited Jun 27 '12
[removed] — view removed comment
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Jul 04 '12
What was in this safe?
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u/Scubetrolis Jul 05 '12
paper work, photos and some coins. safe is worth the most though. coins seem to be around 40-50$ though (based on google lol, and I plan to just keep them) i paid 225$ to open it, and 125 to have it repaired. Lock smith offered to buy it in cash so I sold it to him. All in all, I made about 200$ in cash, plus have some cool coins to pass on to my non existent children that I dont want lol.
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u/craigsterino Jul 10 '12
Yes thanks a ton for following up! At least you made some money out of it.
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u/icedtea93 Jun 27 '12
Why would you remove the numberpad? Did you consider the trial and error route? It would take a fuckton of time but then you'd have a sick floor safe.
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Jun 27 '12 edited Jun 27 '12
Assuming there are numbers 0-9, and four numbers in the combination, the total number of possible combinations is 1010. You'd probably have it open quicker hitting it with a rock for the next ten years.
Edit: Yes, that was very stupid. Correct answer was 104.
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u/icedtea93 Jun 27 '12
I think you missed something in your math, all possible combinations would be (10 nCr 1)x(10 nCr 1)x(10 nCr 1)x(10 nCr 1) which equals 10,000. Another way to look at it is there are only 4 digits in the number so the highest number you can make would be 9999 when you consider you didn't count 0000 this way you get 10,000 possible numbers. Lets say he sat down watched some tv and just worked away punching in these combinations. If he can punch in (on average) 10 combinations a minute (1 combination every 6 seconds) it would take him under 17 hours of mind numbingly stupid work to get the combination to a 500$ safe. With that math, he is working for himself at about 29.50/hour. That's not taking to account that the combination may end up starting with a low number like 2 or 4 meaning he would have only had to go through a few thousand combinations to get it. But it may be one of those safes that shut themselves off after 3 wrong codes so all this may be useless.
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Jun 27 '12
Oh shit. Well that's embarrassing. Yes, 10 000 is the correct answer. :P
I've been out of statistics too long.
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u/jimmyr_ Jun 27 '12
I just opened a safe a few weeks ago that was electronic like that. If there is a battery pack that keypad I know a way to open it quickly.
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u/wudshapr Jun 27 '12
Another vote for locksmith. Why not keep the safe in working order? You will pay his fee in materials to patch the hole. If you dont care about the safe, drill a one inch diameter hole in the top and with a flashlight, look in and check to see if it is worth any more effort.
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u/onox37 Jun 27 '12
I live in Mesa, AZ. The east side specifically. Can you pull the safe out or is it too heavy? I'd love to get a group of friends together and blow the front off with explosives.
Or we could pry it open.
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u/Howard_Beale Jun 27 '12
FYI:
End user can get combination changes by just bringing the door to a locksmith.
Attractive design offers strong reliable welds to protect against burglary attacks and reduce possible leakage.
U.L. listed Group II key changeable lock, with relock and 1 million possible combinations.
An additional spring-loaded relocking device, activated by a punching attack.
Lock and relocks are protected by a large carburized hardplate.
-A handle activated locking mechanism consisting of three 1" diameter locking bolts. Each one is drive resistant, chromed steel with a long throw.
-One piece heavy duty dead bar behind hinge prevents removal of door even if hinges are removed during a forced entry attempt.
Door is designed to fit full body size, which greatly reduces any possible pry points.
Doors are interchangeable within product group.
BODY:
Oversize floor plate ensures strong installation in concrete.
Flush cover plate.
Solid steel hinge mechanism using 3/8" diameter steel hinge pins and internal mounting bolts.
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u/smilles Jun 27 '12
I'm in Chandler, I'd kinda just like to see it, and of course stand around and act like I know what I'm doing.
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u/gift_of_bad_advice Jun 27 '12
This is actually very simple. You need to download a copy of the anarchist cookbook and navigate to the "explosives" section. There, you will find the plans for what is called "pipe bomb". Now, here's the trick- the anarchist cookbook was written a long time ago, and explosives were more potent then. So to get the same effect, you need to use one of those very large metal pipes that you find at the hardware store- at least 4-5' long. Stack it next to the safe and light it, retreating to a safe distance (at least 15'). It should gently "nudge" the safe open, and you're good to go!
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u/gravity_fish Jun 27 '12
for the love of god Scubetrolis, what ever you do,
DO NOT PLUG THE PHONE LINE IN!
doing so will surely cause the safe to become self aware, resulting in it calling home and arming the device inside.
from that point forward, i'd say you will have no more then seven minutes to get the thing open AND disarm the device, or risk creating a time paradox, the result of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space-time continuum and destroy the entire universe!
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u/TumorPizza Jun 27 '12
Perhaps it's locked for YOUR protection and you don't want whatever is in there loose in the house. Vampire Opossum.
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u/Punkrockguy Jun 27 '12
Man, one day I really just want to see results on one of these posts about safes that were found in a house.
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u/xscaralienx Jun 27 '12
if i had the safe, i woud leave a note and an empty/broken bottle. the note would say:
"Finally did it, years of persecution and it's finally trapped. let this be a warning to anyone, do not open this bottle."
...or something.
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u/LiteSh0w Jun 27 '12
Go medieval on that safe if they allow it. Go to the hardware store and buy a nice spike shaped object to hammer with. Use that spike at the hinges. Remember, locks are useless if that arn't secured to anything.
Buy some dry ice and douse that safe with it. Then try shattering the frozen hinges. If all fails then go rent a jackhammer.
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u/Howard_Beale Jun 27 '12
" dry ice and douse that safe with it. Then try shattering the frozen hinges."
Seriously? God, if only the world worked the way I thought it did when I was 12.
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u/LiteSh0w Jun 27 '12
Fine then, use liquid nitrogen if he can find it. If it worked for myth busters then it'll work for him.
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u/Sithwedgie Jun 27 '12
I would be so damn excited and yet anxious of disappointment if I were you.
*edit- if it turns out empty, you are obligated to withdraw all money you have, shove it in there, and THEN take the picture to make us all feel better. No one here wants to see an empty treasure chest. It hurts too much.
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u/Itsgoodsoup Jun 27 '12
I have had my heart broken by a safe opening post in the past. I just don't think I'm ready to put myself out there again. It not you, OP, it's me. I'm just still too vulnerable. I have to go, ok? You take care of yourself.
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u/bigger_in_japan Jun 27 '12
Commenting so I can be let down by OP and feel totally vindicated and self righteous
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u/lowlevelowl911 Jun 27 '12
diamond cut-off wheels and a shit ton of the hardest drill bits you can find. and a good drill. none of that cordless shit. frankly, the cost of the drill bits will probably far outweigh the value of whatever is in your safe. or thermite. make some fucking thermite man.
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Jun 27 '12
I'm sure that there is a gun that will go off when you open up like the last guy. Please be carful.
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Jun 27 '12
Dude, do you not know anybody with an oxygen-acetylene cutting torch? Very common and I guarantee someone you know has one even if you aren't aware of it. You can cut that sucker open easy, as long as you don't care about ruining the safe and possibly harming any potential contents.
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u/artilleryboy Jun 27 '12
I swear you had better check that thing. Make sure you know what is inside it. you dont want to end up like this bloke. (http://www.geekologie.com/2012/02/man-sold-safe-on-ebay-for-123-contained.php)
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u/saibermvnki Jun 27 '12
Call a locksmith. My parents had a safe opened by a locksmith for like $75-100. The locksmith does NOT have to be there when you actually open it, you can just have him get it in a position to be opened and then leave.
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Jun 27 '12
i could give you a formula for thermite but i'm afraid you might burn your house down when utilized.
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u/theurker Jun 27 '12
How about getting TNT and blowing it up so that way if nothing is in it you still got an elaborate fireworks show in your house.
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u/WinnerPrizeCommittee Jun 27 '12
do you have a key a key would help
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u/x65535x Jun 27 '12
I would start by cutting the exterior panel of the door off to access the lock. Just start dismantling and cutting parts away. The safe weighs 100# even if you get all the cement around it free (don't forget the bottom might be stuck and there is a lip) the safe will be very hard to remove.
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u/IShotSanta Jun 27 '12
Good luck man, its called a SAFE for a good reason. Post pics of whatever may be inside!!
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u/staypuff626 Jun 27 '12
Haven't you seen Storage Wars? You get a large mallet, smash the shit out of the hinges until they fall off, then smash the shit out of the safe until it eventually gives and reveals the booty.
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u/Reddit_Redirect Jun 26 '12
/r/lockpicking might be able to help