What's the CHEAPEST Solution of a 150kg Safe?

[dsbb]

This feels like a well-worn topic. I'm currently renting an apartment in Sydney, so I think I must have a safe that weighs over 150kg.

I have been consistently searching for safes over 150kg, but the cheapest one I found costs $995. Additionally, shipping it from VIC to my doorstep in SYD would cost $265, which is a bit over budget for me.

So, I’m wondering if I could instead buy a relatively cheaper 100kg safe and then place a 50kg steel plate (cheap), with pre-drilled holes, on the bottom of the safe. The holes on the steel plate would align with the ones at the bottom of the safe, and I could tightly secure them together using bolts. This method would be clean, tidy, and easy to disassemble. Compared to using liquid nails or welding, this approach would allow for damage-free removal, making it more convenient for moving when I relocate in the future.

However, here’s my concern:

Do any people actually do this in real life?
Is it legal to modify a safe in this way?
Would inspectors approve of such a setup?

[dsbb]

For me, I can get such a steel plate within 60 bucks. So it almost cost nothing compared with a 150kg safe.

[stihl88]

The problem will be trying to prove that it is 150kg during inspection, a comercially made safe can be proven but something homemade or weighted may not pass scrutiny on word alone.

[Fester]

Unfortunately, they don't allow it, even if the plates are welded.

They only accept a bought stock standard safe and prob want it written somewhere to prove it.

Some people are getting knocked back when an anti-gun cop doesn't believe or know any better so I would want the paperwork to prove it
There is no skin off their nose as they are not accountable for their decissions.

[Wapiti]

So the onus is on the owner of the firearms during inspection that the safe complies with the regs. Not the police inspecting the set-up.

One only has to look around online to read that where this security is being checked, police have models and weights of commercially available safes and refer to this as gospel.
If challenged, how will you prove your bolted down 2-3mm safe is over 250kg to them due to a steel plate? Get out your m3 weight tables for common mild steel and see if that floats? Scales?
Check that the weights listed for your secure storage are "as supplied", or purchased, because otherwise you might be very screwed. Including the size and number of the fasteners used, because this is checked on safes under 250kg manufacturer-listed weight.

Shooting is expensive. As most of us realise, the cost of the firearms is a small percentage of what your investment needs to be to get into the game.

[straightshooter]

dsbb
The previous two posters got it pretty right.
The easiest way is just to get a 150kg+ from the outset. It will cost money but remember it will always still be worth money.
Unless something has changed recently then the weight for a free standing safe is still 150kg in NSW.
Things to consider:
Will you have to carry the 150kg safe up stairs or does your apartment have a lift?
You can ask the landlord for permission to drill 4 fixtures to secure some furniture into one of the walls which you agree to fill and reinstate at the end of your tenancy.
The last thing you want is to get into a dispute with the Police. Even if you win it will have cost you money and time.

[Wapiti]

Exploiting the weight limit sounds like a good prospect for people who rent or live in places other people own that might cause issues with repairs or damage from screwing safes to floors and walls.

Getting heavy safes up stairs can be a bastard, but there are 3-wheel stair trolleys that make this pretty easy if you strap the boxed safe on, and have a mate to help push as you pull up the stairs.
If you move somewhere else later, these trolleys will move all your crap like fridges etc out too.

I'd still try and bolt the safe in anyway, particularly to wall studs. I'd hate to have my firearms stolen and contribute to one of the big reasons the cops don't want guns out there.

[Fester]

Some cops have admitted that theft from LAFOs is such a small percentage that it's not even an issue.

As an excuse, it's up there with the best so will always be pulled out and used to take guns.

Never let the truth get in the way of a political policy.

The only answer now that lies are the new truth is to make them all accountable.
If enforced, it can only reduce corruption and make it a better place for honest people.
Keep going in the current trend and we will be living in slums with out of control crime.

[Larry]

I would be more worried about wall and door thickness if I were buying a new safe now. Most of the commercially available safes use pretty thin sheet steel It is so easy for a rule change to say doors must be 6mm or walls 3mm or something to that effect and we could all be in the s**t. new or old. If the safe is sturdy and will not budge from its position when given a punch force push then the cops will pass it ATM.

[Bugman]

Yep. As it has been said before, just get a 150kg safe and get on with it. In the end I think you may be glad you did.

[Die Judicii]

To the OP,,,,,
Mate, you get what you pay for in general.

Adding a piece of steel plate to the base of a cheap commercially made safe just to bring the "weight" regulation into play,, will only achieve a similar
situation like what used to happen years ago before vehicle modifications came to play.

ie) Transplanting a Hi Performance V8 motor into an FJ Holden,,,,,, but not upgrading the wheels / tires / or braking ability.

[Wapiti]

Good point, maybe think about "buying for the future", "buy once, cry once".

A great example is what's happening in WA pretty soon. Absolute minimum safes seem to be 3mm wall/6mm door for your basic hunting tools. Let alone pistols! 10mm?
Things are popping up everywhere, discussions about people having to replace all their storage. After complying with the laws from the past, which were OK to the politicians then, you all now are hit with stricter storage.
Of course then, you'll have better more secure storage as well.

People in other states... take note. Somehow I see in my crystal ball the city softy politicians elsewhere just hanging out for a reason to copy this.

[Noisydad]

You could get your safe weighed at public weigh bridge to get documentation. I did that when I built my 180kg safe. During an inspection I offered the docs to the two nice policemen but they didn’t want to look at it saying “no don’t need it -it’s obviously very bloody heavy”.

[niteowl]

Not the cheapest but 1164 KG each