The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on June 04, 2009, 03:14:45 PM
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(http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/6585/gunsafes0022an.th.jpg) (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gunsafes0022an.jpg)
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(http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/9664/gunsafes0018hh.th.jpg) (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gunsafes0018hh.jpg)
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(http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5706/gunsafes0030wh.th.jpg) (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gunsafes0030wh.jpg)
As an owner of 4 gun safes, one high end, (Liberty). One middle of the road, (Cannon). And 2 low end, (Stack-On), I can happily report on an excellent, low cost alternative to what I personally feel are overpriced gun safes. When you get down to basics gun safes are going to protect your collection from kids. Insurance statistics show that 90% of residential burglaries are by kids under the age of 16, and most are in the home for less than 2 minutes. Most any suitable "safe" will protect you from that. Fire protection is relatively worthless because again, insurance stats show water damages far more homes than fire. No gun safe I've ever heard of is waterproof. In that regard every safe in New Orleans was totally worthless to it's owners.
I just purchased one of these "On-Site" tool boxes from Greenlee.
http://www.greenlee.com/cat_docs/Storage08_lowrez.pdf
#2472
These are very strong and have recessed wells for 2 padlocks that cannot be reached once locked. Mine is 72" long and 24" square. I have it in my living room, and once it's covered with a nice couch throw, or bedspread you don't even notice it, or can tell what it is. Another plus is it allows for horizontal storage of weapons which prevents oil from running down the bore into the stock at the tang area. They are very spacious inside and I lined the bottom of mine with 28, 25 pound bags of lead shot, (700 pounds) so it cannot be moved. This coupled with the weight of the box itself along with the firearms makes it all but impossible to move. If you are handy and can work with wood, you can make some very nice felt lined wooden racks for your guns which allows you to store them without cases. These boxes can be purchased from Home Depot or Lowe's very reasonably compared to traditional gun safes, and work every bit as well, and will give as much or more cubic feet of storage. I'm very happy with mine.
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This is it uncovered with both locks in place. I purchased 2 Master Lock Padlocks with Boron Carbide Shackles which you cannot even see once they are installed. Bill T.
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Nice window seat! ;D
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Solid idea, Bill.
You could even make wood panels to cover it and make it look like a large blanket chest.
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Solid idea, Bill.
You could even make wood panels to cover it and make it look like a large blanket chest.
that would be very easy, you could even build a seat top out of foam rubber and some fabric.
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Solid idea, Bill.
You could even make wood panels to cover it and make it look like a large blanket chest.
I plan to do more with it, but I just got it in place over the holiday weekend. If you are creative it has all but limitless possibilities. I'm tired of dropping 2 grand+ for gun safes. Bill T.
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that would be very easy, you could even build a seat top out of foam rubber and some fabric.
That's what I was hintin' at with my 'window seat' remark. ;)
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Took me a couple of minutes before I scrolled down far enough to see the greenlee box. Nice collection ;D
Great idea Bill.
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I plan to do more with it, but I just got it in place over the holiday weekend. If you are creative it has all but limitless possibilities. I'm tired of dropping 2 grand+ for gun safes. Bill T.
buy them used, you can buy a 3k safe for less then grand, you just have to move it.
I'm a 3 safe household... did have 5 at one point.
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that would be very easy, you could even build a seat top out of foam rubber and some fabric.
I like to do a little woodworking, on a hobbyist level, but I thought you would be the go to for something like this.
I thought about doing that with one of the smaller boxes, or either building my own out of 1/2" plate and covering it with maple veneer a few years back, but never followed through. Bill has reintroduced my interest.
There is also a company out there now making wood panels to cover 'store bought' gun safes.
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What I would do is build a 3 side box out of good ply with mitered corners, a single strecher along the back. mill up so drarwers and doors( maybe just doors have to play with scale), tack them on the front. then use add a top that was slight oversized with sold trim around it( hide the ply) and off the shelf base around the bottum. a foam top is easy as well.
total cost would be about $150 if you were to make it out of oak. The average DIY should be able to get it doen in 2 weekends.
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soemthing else that just came to mind,
you could build something to match you cabintry and do a built in. would not hide it from theifs but would make it blend in with your house.
if you can't tell, I love putting "hiden" things into homes.
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The more I look at this the better I like it!
The taller 2 door cabinets in the link would hold a passel of guns and 'stuff'.
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just noticed your coffee table, nice, my mother made something similar out of California Redwood.
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Great idea. and it complements the blinds so well. ;)
I know, I know,...
but I have Cheese Wiz...
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You do need to cover it and quick! That chatreusey green just clashes - and I mean clashes - with that lovely fuschia table cloth, you know the one with the giant doily on it.
OK, gay imitation over, heading to the corner. I have popcorn, we can melt the Cheez Whiz over it. I do need to take another kind of whiz first though . .
Hey, I'm already heading for the corner, what's another 4 hours for that last shot?
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You do need to cover it and quick! That chatreusey green just clashes - and I mean clashes - with that lovely fuschia table cloth, you know the one with the giant doily on it.
OK, gay imitation over, heading to the corner. I have popcorn, we can melt the Cheez Whiz over it. I do need to take another kind of whiz first though . .
Hey, I'm already heading for the corner, what's another 4 hours for that last shot?
Please wash your hands.......don't need no whiz in the whiz! ;D ;D
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Please wash your hands.......don't need no whiz in the whiz! ;D ;D
And leave the seat UP !!!
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Nice idea and all that.
Stack On does have the "Total Defense" line of safes that protect from fire and up to 2 feet of water. It is what I have right now. It just sucked to spend money on something and not even be able to fit everything inside of it.
I'll have to give this a look next time I expand my storage.
One other thing I've noticed is that people leave their magazines laying around or not locked up. Get something to secure your magazines. I have a locking wall cabinet I keep my mags in. It would cost a pretty penny if I had to replace them all because I put my emphasis on only my guns.
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I'm still thinking out loud on this one boys and girls. It's going to get covered for sure, most likely with a big couch throw for now. (Melanie ordered one as soon as we finished placing it.) I was also thinking of boxing it in with some nice Oak Veneer Plywood. The problem is I don't work with wood. It's not for lack of want, but rather I've already taken over one bedroom, and three large closets with gun related stuff, and I'm the only one on the block who actually uses the garage for my cars. I'm simply running out of house for any more "hobby related" stuff.
As for cost they run anywhere from $249.00 to $699.00. Mine cost $599.00. If you buy one shop several different Home Depots and Lowe's because both Knaack and Rigid also make them, and they are all in competition with each other. The store manager at the Home Depot I bought mine from special ordered it for me, so I didn't get much of a break on the price. You may get lucky and find one that is the size you want. Most in store models are discounted.
Another nice thing about these is if you have a home with a basement they are waterproof up to the top of the door. On a regular vertical gun safe water will leak in as soon as the water level reaches the bottom lip of the door. Also, if you did want to use it vertically it wouldn't take much to weld 4 small feet on to one end, and use it that way. I think it's far better horizontally. It has a nice shelf in the back you can use for ammo storage, etc. All and all not a bad "safe" for the money. I'm sick and tired of paying over 2 Grand for an iron box to keep my guns in. Bill T.
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I saw a Knaack and a Jobox both at the same pawn shop once for $200 each. They were the 48" long (or around that) models and I wish I'd bought one then (I debated on it).
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I saw a Knaack and a Jobox both at the same pawn shop once for $200 each. They were the 48" long (or around that) models and I wish I'd bought one then (I debated on it).
I found you pay for length with these things. Mine is 72" long, (the longest one available). Home Depot had several just like mine that were 48" in length. This appears to be the most popular size. 48" will accommodate most rifles and handguns. Long barrelled shotguns, (28" or longer), might have to be placed in diagonally. What I like about having the 72" length is it allows for handguns to be placed at one end and not interfere with the rifles and shotguns at the other end, unless you're like me and have things piled on top. ;D Bill T.
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Nothing fancy for now. I just have them in the cases. I'm thinking of getting or making some felt lined, stackable, wooden racks. That way the cases won't be taking up so much room. The back shelf is nice for ammo, cameras, small handguns, coins, name it. So far I'm happy with it, I just have to sort out how I'm going to proceed. It has a lot of potential. I'm even thinking of making a shelf / cover that would go across the entire top from end to end, and from the front to the back shelf. That would open up even more storage for handguns, etc. I could put handles on it so the entire shelf could be lifted right out allowing access to the guns underneath. We'll see. Bill T.
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I found you pay for length with these things. Mine is 72" long, (the longest one available). Home Depot had several just like mine that were 48" in length. This appears to be the most popular size. 48" will accommodate most rifles and handguns. Long barrelled shotguns, (28" or longer), might have to be placed in diagonally. What I like about having the 72" length is it allows for handguns to be placed at one end and not interfere with the rifles and shotguns at the other end, unless you're like me and have things piled on top. ;D Bill T.
2 reasons why thay have the 48" size
1 it will fit in the bed of a full size truck.
2 they are the same size as a pallet so they can be shiped easily
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Nothing fancy for now. I just have them in the cases. I'm thinking of getting or making some felt lined, stackable, wooden racks. That way the cases won't be taking up so much room. The back shelf is nice for ammo, cameras, small handguns, coins, name it. So far I'm happy with it, I just have to sort out how I'm going to proceed. It has a lot of potential. I'm even thinking of making a shelf / cover that would go across the entire top from end to end, and from the front to the back shelf. That would open up even more storage for handguns, etc. I could put handles on it so the entire shelf could be lifted right out allowing access to the guns underneath. We'll see. Bill T.
Kind of like your own personal hope chest. ;D
After having spent just over a grand for standup safe (I know, relatively cheap, but it is low crime here and it is in a lower level with no windows) - and dreading the idea I may have to move it - this is a great idea if you can solve the internal storage issues.
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What are the prices on the Greenlee?
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Great idea I am going to look into this. I don't want to spend 2 grand on a safe either.
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What are the prices on the Greenlee?
depends on where you shop and if it's used or not.
Here is a sort of guide...
http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/greenlee/
http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/greenlee,2/
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What are the prices on the Greenlee?
http://www.toolfetch.com/Brand/Greenlee/Storage_Boxes/Jobsite_Boxes/
Greenlee, DeWalt, Knaak, Jobox.....
24 x 24 x 72 is about 750 bucks...
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Mine is 24" X 28" X 72" and it ran me six hundred and change with tax. I didn't think that was too bad. They, (Home Depot), had the 48" long model for just under three hundred. It is the most popular one because of the reasons TAB stated. Bill T.
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That's a really good idea. I just spent a large chunk of change (not the BHO type of change) and put a new safe into the closet of my computer room. That would work just as well in closet, still leaving plenty of room for hanging stuff. Plus, it would have been a whole lot easier moving that thing in then this safe was. At 185lbs you would need to bolt it down or do like you did with the lead shot.
Once again, nice idea and good for you for thinking 'outside the box'. ;D
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I think that these boxes scream "TOOLS" and not "GUNS" is reason enough to use them. Even two guys are going to have trouble humping 200 pounds plus content out the back door.
The more I think of this, the better the idea looks. Now, if only I knew a fabricator, welder, sheet metal, carpenter kind of guy.......
Oh, yea! That would be ME! ;D
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I think that these boxes scream "TOOLS" and not "GUNS" is reason enough to use them. Even two guys are going to have trouble humping 200 pounds plus content out the back door.
The more I think of this, the better the idea looks. Now, if only I knew a fabricator, welder, sheet metal, carpenter kind of guy.......
Oh, yea! That would be ME! ;D
Does your Company allow "Govt. projects" ?
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Does your Company allow "Govt. projects" ?
I'm sure they do, I see it all the time. Most companies this size have no clue what's walking out the back door.
I would pay for the materials and develop the layouts on my own time, do the break work and welding myself. Painting would be an issue but I could use the sand blaster on my own time too.
We could work through it.
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very cool,
think it would even pass our laws as long as it was bolted down, and we can not store the ammo in it as well as the firearms, ( needs to be locked separately )
I will post a photo of my safe soon
the style I have is an Aussie design http://lokaway.net/
I don't think they are making them any more however we can get them branded as Winchester Safes
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I like that locking mechanism. It seems simpler and better than moving pins. Bill T.
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It looks a little less conspicuous covered. Bill T.
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Me thinks I am going to get one of these and put it in our "Sitting room".
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Looking good Bill.
I'm always looking for alternatives for gun storage and also ways to secure them in plain site. If someone doesn't know what's there, it's hard for them to mess with it. The storage box with the throw doesn't scream "guns". During a random break in the perps would most likely find easier, out in the open items to steal or check more common "hidding" places first like dresser drawers, etc. If it's a longer breakin or someone is targeting your guns and know they're there somewhere, it's a different story. Virtually any home security measure can be defeated givin enough time.
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Another thing I like about it compared to my other safes is the fact it isn't easy to tip over. A lot of people talk about anchoring a safe to the floor. The biggest problem with that is a lot of homes that are built on concrete slabs have plumbing pipe running through them. The homeowner doesn't know where these pipes are located. Drilling into the slab to secure anchor bolts without knowing the exact location of these pipes is extremely dangerous. If you were to hit a water pipe you would have a monumental disaster on your hands that would be expensive to clean up and repair! I don't even want to think about hitting a gas pipe with an electric drill!
A free standing gun safe is an open target for kids / vandals who break in. For many what they can't steal they would like nothing better to destroy. It wouldn't take much for 2 people to push a gun safe over on to it's side. Doing so would severely damage the guns inside it. With the chest type "safes" this is all but impossible. Bill T.
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That turned out really well, Bill.....looks good.
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Just another side table ;D
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I'm still not done, but at least it looks better than the inside of an Irish Pub! ;D Bill T.
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Another thing I like about it compared to my other safes is the fact it isn't easy to tip over. A lot of people talk about anchoring a safe to the floor. The biggest problem with that is a lot of homes that are built on concrete slabs have plumbing pipe running through them. The homeowner doesn't know where these pipes are located. Drilling into the slab to secure anchor bolts without knowing the exact location of these pipes is extremely dangerous. If you were to hit a water pipe you would have a monumental disaster on your hands that would be expensive to clean up and repair! I don't even want to think about hitting a gas pipe with an electric drill!
A free standing gun safe is an open target for kids / vandals who break in. For many what they can't steal they would like nothing better to destroy. It wouldn't take much for 2 people to push a gun safe over on to it's side. Doing so would severely damage the guns inside it. With the chest type "safes" this is all but impossible. Bill T.
unless you have raidant heating, there is no pipe in the slabs. they are underneath the slab. its been against the UBC since there has been a a UBC.
now if you have a post tentioned slab( there will be a imprint or a plate some where in your garage or on the outside) you have to be very carful not to hit one of the cables. cutting/danaging one of those could lead to the foundation cracking apart. when that happens, you must jack that house and re do the foundation.
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That turned out really well Billt. Really like that alot.