At ValueSafes, not only do we help you choose the best safe, we will also show you how to install the safe. Below is our Safe FAQ, which should provide some assistance in installing any kind of fireproof safe or direct to a third party safe that does.
This Safe FAQ will advise you on installing your safe, electronic locks, changing an electronic combination, getting more keys, understanding a combination lock and a dual key lock.
At ValueSafes, we sell only the best fireproof safes, but that’s not all we do; we help you in choosing a safe choosing a safe that is right for you, which is why we have an expert locksmith, me, on staff. An expert locksmith reveals the following:
• How to choose a safe that’s right for you.
• How not to be duped when buying a safe.
• Show you how to purchase a safe that delivers on quality and value.
As a “safe cracker” and locksmith, I have opened everything from lock boxes for little old ladies to monster safes in commercial businesses when they forgot the combination. In my experience, I have seen numerous safes advertised as “burglary resistant” – that were worthless pieces of plastic! I know which safes are most effective, which ones will deliver on the promises they make and which to avoid. I can help you decide which type of safe is right for you and get you the best deal for your dollar.
Even if you know very little – or nothing – about safes, I can help you decide which type of safe is right for you … and get you the best deal for your dollar.
At Value Safes, we’re not interested in just making a sale … we are concerned with making sure that you, as our customer, have the easiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Anybody can make a sale. But if we sell you a $2,000 monster safe – when a $200 wall safe would have done the trick – we haven’t done our job … and you won’t be happy. Which means I won’t be happy.
We want you to be so satisfied, you’ll refer us to other family members, friends and neighbors. In fact, you’ll see … we reward you when one of your referrals results in a sale
CHOOSE A SAFE
Know what you want already? Great! Choose from our wide variety of safes. You’ll have more than 100 models to choose from.
Ordering is secure, fast and easy. We use Authorize.net for your protection … and we accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover/Novus.
And remember … SHIPPING IS ALWAYS FREE on EVERY SAFE … to any location within the United States!
WHICH SAFE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Never bought a safe before? Not sure which one is best … or which is the right one for your needs? WE CAN HELP!
Call us TOLL FREE at (877) 629-6214. This is the best option, since it saves you time and effort since we have to ask several questions to determine the purpose of your safe and what you expect it to accomplish. Even though we’d rather speak to you in person, you can email us at sam@valuesafes.com.
Ordering is secure, fast and easy. We use Authorize.net for your protection … and we accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover/Novus. And remember … SHIPPING IS ALWAYS FREE on EVERY SAFE … to any location within the United States!
Your safety is of the utmost importance. That’s why when buying a safe for your home or office, there are many decisions to make. Whether you’re in the market for a wall safe, floor safe, or any of the several other types of safes we offer, choosing the best one that fits your lifestyle includes many considerations. One of those is the choice between a safe with an electronic keypad, and one with a dial combination. Here I have collected a lot of thoughts and information about the two so you can make an educated and informed decision.
First up is the electronic keypad and the advantages of purchasing a safe with one. If your lifestyle warrants the need to open and close your safe numerous times per day, this may be something that is worth an investment. Sometimes using a dial combination can be a bit of a hassle, and I have found that when customers begin to feel this is an inconvenience, they abandon using their safe. Of course, if you stop putting valuables in your safe, why own one at all?
I’ve also been asked which one is better between an electronic keypad and a dial combination safe. The truth is, through my long experience in the safe industry I have discovered that both are very difficult to crack or get into. After 4 repeated invalid codes, a safe with an electronic keypad will go into “lockdown” mode. Once in this state, the electronic keypad becomes unworkable for 5 minutes. After that time has passed, the user is able to try again two more times, if more invalid entries are made, the safe will go into lockdown mode once again. This process essentially eliminates the ability to enter a random code to crack the safe.
Customers also tend to have concerns about the battery life a safe using an electronic keypad, what if it goes dead? It’s actually very easy to switch out a dead battery! Simply open the battery compartment on the outside of the keypad and replace the nine-volt battery. A dead battery will not compromise your safe or the combination code, as the internal computer component’s memory will maintain the combination.
To make it easier on you to decide, we have mapped out a pretty straightforward pros and cons list. I hope this will help you in your decision:
Electronic Keypad |
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PROS1. Ease of changing code combination 2. Quickly input combo 3. User is able to customize his or her own code, so memorizing it should be easy 4. When an incorrect code has been entered 5 times, the safe will lockdown and the user will not be able to try again for 5 minutes. 5. The same security and strength of all our quality safes. |
CONS1. Batteries do require changing, on average about once every year. Of course the combination will be remembered when the battery dies. 2. More expensive than a dial combination safe 3. If lockdown mode occurs because your combination code is forgotten, you will have to 5 minutes before trying again. 4. This is a new technology, only having been on the market for about 20 years. |
Dial Combination Lock |
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PROS1. The safes can maintain the same combo and will not display wear 2. With good upkeep, dials will keep for very long 3. Usually much less expensive than an electronic keypad 4. Dial combination locks have a 150-year history |
CONS1. A locksmith is needed to change combination 2. Unlocking and opening the safe takes longer 3. People who have arthritis or unsteady hands may find it hard to open 4. There is no “lockdown” function 5. Old fashioned and not very convenient |
| It is also a concern of many people that they must change their combination code through the keypad only. This is simply not true, and there is a simple process that can change the code whenever you feel like its integrity has been compromised. The safe will come with step-by-step instructions on how to do this, but I have also included some easy directions that may help you determine whether or not this is something you could manage with an electronic keypad safe. You may download the instructions in PDF format: click here. We hope that this has given you some perspective on what is the best choice for you. It truly does come down to your lifestyle, comfortably and convenience needs. However, we are confident that no matter what you choose, one of our high quality safes is right for you. If after reading this you still have questions regarding Electronic Keypad vs Dial Combinations, Contact us at 877-629-6214 or send us an email at sam@valuesafes.com, and we’ll be happy to assist you. | |
| ValueSafes 24123 Peachland Blvd. Suite C-4 Port Charlotte, Florida 33954 Fax: 1 (866) 408-7303 Phone: 1 (877) 629-6214 | |
A combination lock is a lock that is unlocked by dialing a combination. Although it can refer to both mechanical and electronic locks, the term combination lock describes a mechanical lock.
Mechanical locks are operated through a dial, which you spin to the left, then right, then left, then right again to open the lock.
The dial mechanical locks that we install on our safes will be preset to a unique three number combination. This is a $75 value! Other companies ship the safe without setting the combo, forcing you to contact your local locksmith to set the combo for you. Changing the combination by the user voids our warranty.
A dual key lock is a key lock that requires two keys to open. Usually found on drop safes, depository safes, and other type safety deposit boxes at the bank. This is a very affordable and effective lock that requires both keys to be turned before the lock unlocks.
The advantage of this lock is that it can require two people to be present before it will open. There are two keys, the “guard” key and the “user” key. The “guard” key is the single key that matches all dual key locks. The lock ships with one copy of this key and it should be turned first.
The lock ships with two copies of the “user” key. This key must be turned after the guard key. The user key will turn further (about three eights of a turn) than the guard key (which only turns almost one quarter turn).
It is important to realize that the keys must be inserted with the teeth pointing either up or away from the hinges (depending on the safe model and the bolt work configuration).Many keys come with a code on them. Please make sure that you keep track of the code written on each key and that you use the correct key with the correct safe. It is somewhat hard to find a locksmith that can duplicate these keys in some small towns. It is referred to an S&G Blank and it is quite common.
To change the combination on an electronic lock (detailed instructions on how to operate your lock will be shipped inside your safe).
WITH THE DOOR OPEN
1.) enter six zeroes (000000),
2.) enter the existing combination once, and
3.) enter the new combination twice.
Many years ago now, my wife and I decided to go on vacation in London, England. Of course as tourists, we visited many of the historical attractions, including the Tower of London. “Beefeater” was a royal guard as well as our tour guide, and began our journey near the front wall and gate of the castle. He explained to us that when enemies attacked the castle, people protected themselves by running into the castle and used a large wooden bolt to secure the castle gate. We learned about how workers built the castle walls, their thickness, as well as the positions of the knights during an attack. If the enemy used a battering ram to attempt to get into the castle, the people inside would reinforce the gate by adding blocks, wooden support beams, or even their own body weight to protect the gate.
A relocker does the exact same thing. When a thief is trying to break into your safe, it adds the needed reinforcement to the door. It’s more security to give you better peace of mind, and make you safer. Wouldn’t you like that extra security for your fireproof safe?
Located within the highly secure area of the lock, the relocker is a small bolt that resides inside the safe door. Unlike the regular large bolts, these locking bolts are hidden away from view. If someone attempts to breach the safe using tools like crowbars or drills, the impact of this action will cause the relocker to fire it’s spring-loaded reinforcing bolts. This causes a strong reinforcement, and keeps the door from being opened. Remember that you will have to call an ALOA locksmith to open the safe once the relocker has been fired, as simply entering the combination will no longer work.
Some safes instead use a glass relocker, which has a significant amount more of sensitivity to these types of breach impacts. Normally included in high-end safes, a glass relocker will only work after the owner places the safe where they want it and remove it’s small cotter pin. You should always make sure you save this pin, you can even tape it inside the door for safe keeping. This is necessary for when you want to move the safe, as the pin needs to be reinserted as to not disturb the relocker. All instructions on this process will be included with your safe.
“Time against theft & fire” is one of the things I like to say, both on ValueSafes.com and in every day life. Why do I do this? When a thief is robbing you, time is not something they have to waste. Taking extra time to bypass a safe with a relocker is not a risk any thief is ready to take, as time is definitely not on their side. Having a relocker is one of the best ways to have an added bit of protection on your safe.
It is also important to note that many safes do not include relockers, models of this nature include residential safes, fireproof home safes, Sentry Safes, home safes, small metal box safes, or any type of other inexpensive safes. If there is a type of safe you are interested in and you aren’t sure if it includes a relocker, never hesitate to call us for better guidance. We are always here to find the best safe that is right for you and your particular needs.
Safes that have a relocker include Fireking safes, high security safes, safes with LaGard electronic keypads, 2 hour fireproof safes, safes with Sargent & Greenleaf locks, office safes, group ll lock safes, and gun safes. Again, if you have questions about any particular models, let us know and we will help you.
Needless to say, if you’re looking for that added bit of security for your fireproof safe, myself and ValueSafes recommend the addition of Safe Relockers. After all, your security is important to us. If you have any questions about Safe Relockers, please contact us at 877-629-6214 or send us an email at sam@valuesafes.com.
ValueSafes wants you to choose the best safe. There are so many safes to review on the market that it is better to give a set of guidelines to consider when looking to purchase safes. Big box retailers and the packaging will always promise much more then what can be delivered, so it is necessary to do a bit of research if you want to purchase the right fireproof safe.
To help with this, I will get into reviews of models of safes in other articles on our blog. When shopping for fireproof safes, there are several things to think about. First, I should let you know that I take many phone calls regarding which safe is right for the individual. So I want to take a look at several things to consider when shopping for the right fireproof safe. So let’s consider the following items: Fireproof Safe, Theft resistance, warranties, and installation.
Fireproof Safe
When getting a fireproof safe, it is very important to ask the type of fireproof material and length of time it will hold up in a fire. This is one of the main purposes of safes and there is a lot of confusion. Remember, we are trying to prevent accidents and what natural disasters can do during a fire and destroying our valuables. I know this obvious, but, we need to remember that fires last longer than 30 minutes. The fire department says from the time a fire first sparks until they are on the scene spraying water….will be around 30 minutes in the average residential fire. WOW!! That means that little safe you purchase from that “big box retailer” down the street may not make it. So get a least a 1-hour fireproof safe. Two hour if you can afford it or live in rural areas that will take the fire department longer to arrive. BUT WAIT…THERES MORE! (do I sound like a TV commercial?) Also ask, “What kind of material was used to add the fireproofing?” There are three popular types. Budget Safes and most gun safes use fireboard material, which is basically sheetrock that was tested at one time by an outside laboratory to hold up for 30 minutes against a fire. The sheet rock is cut and glued into the safe. A fabric liner will be used to cover a seam. Looks good, but it is not the best at keeping out a fire. In general, these safes are never tested against a fire after they are made. This is not the best in my opinion. Stay away from gun safes with INTERNAL HINGES. There is normally no fireproof material where the hinge attaches to the inside of the safe. You can judge this by opening the door of the safe and feeling inside the safe where the hinge is attached. If you feel metal and can knock on it, there is no insulation there, thus the old adage, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” You just found the weak link.One and Two Hour Fireproof Safes
One and Two Hour Fireproof Safes will normally use a liquid fill cement/sand and fireproof filler for protection. Each manufacturer has its own secret recipe that it uses, but the results are all pretty darn good with this stuff. Because it is liquid filled, there are no unseen seams that allow heat and fire into the safe. You will normally find this used on Home Safes and Office Safes.High Security Safes
High Security Safes will use the same liquid filled material but will use concrete as the base material. This will harden forming a concrete wall, so you get a steel wall supported by a concrete wall that is reinforced with an interior steel wall. You can find this used in TL rated jewelry safes like in jewelry stores. These can also be found in homes where there are large coin collections, gold coins, and large amounts of jewelry are stored. If you are considering one of these its best to contact your insurance company before buying one. Ask them about discounts on any rider policies you may have on your collection. If you would like me to review something particular please feel free to email any questions you may have to sam@valuesafes.com and remember, ValueSafes and I are here to help you choose the best safe!At Value Safes, we provide you with everything you need when it comes to fireproof safes, including information on how to dial open a Sargent & Greenleaf Safe Combination Lock.
Try to practice at least five times the first day you get the safe. Then at least a couple of times a day for the next several days. This will prepare you for a number of things that may happen that could hamper your ability to dial open a Sargent & Greenleaf Safe Combination Lock. For example, I have noticed that in the morning my biggest problem is I drink too much coffee, causing me to be impatient and jittery. So, after I dial it wrong a couple of times, I have to tell myself to calm down and focus.
One last item – write down the combination of your safe and keep it somewhere hidden. I write mine on the back of a picture in my office. This way you can go to it if you forget it. It also appears as a random group of numbers with no other info saying what it is. And of course, don’t lock it in the safe!
Below are operating Instructions for the Sargent & Greenleaf 6600/6700 Series Three Number Combination Lock:
Turn dial slowly and evenly. Do not turn back to regain alignment if you rotate past number. If an error is made, re-dial entire combination. Do not count turns. Count how many times each number is aligned with the opening index (at the 12 o’clock position). Always view the dial and ring straight on, not at an angle. To open: (Refer to Figure A)
• Step 1: Turn dial left, aligning first number with the opening index the fourth time it comes to the index.
• Step 2: Turn dial right, aligning second number with the opening index the third time it comes to the index.
• Step 3: Turn dial left, aligning third number with the opening index the second time it comes to the index.
• Step 4: Turn dial right until dial comes to a complete stop.
• Step 5: To relock and secure the combination lock, turn the dial to the left at least four revolutions.
By following these instructions, you should never have any difficulty opening your Sargent & Greenleaf Safe Combination Lock. And remember, ValueSafes is your go-to source for fireproof safes. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!
I encourage all of my clients to read the PDFs below. To view one, simply left click on the name you would like instructions for, and then right click the option to “save as.” This will download the entire document – for free!
- Hollon Biometric Lock Instructions
- Home & Office Safe Instructions
- HS Dial Instructions
- S&G Spartan Lock
- SG 6120 Instructions
- SG Combination Dial Instructions
Due to my many years of experience as a locksmith, many people ask me questions how to bolt down their safe. Follow these simple instructions below, and you will quickly be on your way through this type of installation:
First, I put the safe in the location I want to mount it. I then open the safe door and locate the mounting hole. They are usually found in the center of a fireproof safe, or in the corners in any other type of safe.
Then, I like to use a black marker to mark on the floor where I want the safe to go.
Once that is complete, I take the safe and move it out of the way. For those with carpet, you’ll want to cut a hole around the size of a half dollar in order to get to the floor underneath. Then, go ahead and drill the hole. Be sure to clean up any dust or debris caused by the drilling. If drilling concrete, the hole should be around 3 – 4” deep.
Then, go ahead and move the safe back over the holes and line them up.
Once you’ve got everything in line, go ahead and push the bolt down. It should easily go through the holes in the safe and into the floor underneath where you drilled your hole. If you have any trouble, hit the bolt a few times to ease it into the hole.
Once the hole is all the way down, tighten the nut that will be found on the top of the bolt. It will need to be turned several times. This will ensure that everything is secured.
That’s all you have to do! I would encourage everyone to do this, as it adds a extra security for your fireproof or burglary safe. Not only would a thief have to lift the safe, but now they have to lift the floor’s weight too. If you have any questions about installing your safe, please contact us at 877-629-6214 or send us an email at sam@valuesafes.com.
Described here is the LG Basic electronic lock used on most safes, with the exception of media and fire safes. Please see the product pages for detailed information on the electronic locks on these safes. If you need to upgrade to a higher end electronic lock with features such as dual user, audit trail, time delay, time lock, etc. are also available as upgrades on most safes. Please call us!
We leave electronic locks preset on the factory default combination: 1-2-3-4-5-6. Changing the combination by the user does NOT void our warranty and it is highly recommended.
If you have a safe with a dual key lock, these keys can be duplicated by a certified locksmith, or order now online with us before we ship our safe.