Modifying your own gun safe

[1sikxt]

I'm now thinking of just stripping the lock mechanics out and building everything from scratch.

[von_klitzing]

That would be an expensive way of doing it.

I'd only use an existing safe where I would be looking to utilize all of the original materials.

I'd look at buying a lock separately as mentioned above and building it into a box as required. Not sure where you'd buy one though...

[1sikxt]

Safe only cost me $80 and it has 5 locking pins

[SendIt]

I'm now thinking of just stripping the lock mechanics out and building everything from scratch.

Thinking of expanding the collection?

[Old Fart]

For the sake of $80 give it a go I say.

[sha]

I'm now thinking of just stripping the lock mechanics out and building everything from scratch.

What brought that on? Not happy with the finished version?

[von_klitzing]

For the sake of $80 give it a go I say.

Agreed

[1sikxt]

Plus I'm sheet metal worker by trade and dads a boiler maker who works for him self so has all the tools.

[Seconds]

Labour is always the thing that kills you on getting things built.

If you can do it yourself, saves you a fortune

[von_klitzing]

Remember to post your work here:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1619

[tom_jellie]

I know this is a bit down the track now but..... if you buy, say a 80kg safe and do similar to the photos above and by the end product it is then over the 150kg mark, does it still have to be bolted down?

I can't use dynabolts where I am and don't want to screw into a noggin, so if you customise it to over 150kg does it have to be bolted?

[sungazer]

As long as its not just added weights once the safe is over the 150 kgs you are good to go. Really all you need is a lockwood deadlatch type of lock on the door. As long as it is built with the correct gauge steel and meet the other requirements there is no reason to DIY if you have the skills. The last part is what stops most of us, it is just as cheap to buy a bought one often and the finish is going to be better than what we could achieve.
The only thing that I dont like about your idea is the ease of access. You either need to have the door the same size as the storage or a way to be able to put guns in and out easily. That would mean that it has to be at least as twice as deep.