DIY gun safe

[headwerkn]

Hi all,

You know that common forum cliche when people start talking about what gun safe to buy and everyon says "buy the biggest one you can afford"? Well, it is very true. I bought a 7/8-gun in March, thinking I'd done the right thing instead of buying a cheaper 5-gun unit, and, um (nek minit) it's full. And I mean "proper full" - there's still 2 more rifles to squeeze in a few weeks time when their PTAs clear.

So I need a new safe. Within the next few months I should have my collector/target ticket, and thus will be need Cat ABCDH compliance, but buying a big arse "proper" > $2000 commercial safe is beyond my budget right now (the rifles I collect average $200 each, if that). Given I'm supposedly a metal fabrication apprentice and would prefer the new cabinet to suit a certain space I have, logic it would seem dictates I build my own.

My question is therefore - anyone got any plans, suggestions, or willing to share their homebrew efforts? Basically I'm after some ideas and tips on how to go about it best, especially around the door and locking mechanism where obviously things need to be done a particular way to be both secure and legal.

Cheers, Ben.

[behana]

Just be aware Ben that no matter who constructs your safe someone who is appropriately accredited must certify that the safe will comply with the necessary requirements for that particular use. Not sure how they roll with that in Tas. :P

Never heard of that before?

As long as it passes inspection it should be fine. (I guess that would mean the Police Officer would be adequately accredited to deem it complient)
By making your own, you can make it to exceed the regulatory requirements any way.

I made my own to fit in a specifically well hidden spot.

It meets all the regs, - 3 point locking system, bolted on 3 sides (floor & 2 walls) seperate locks to get into the intergrated Ammo locker etc, but If I had my time over I would have made it with a flush mounted dead lock instead of the handle, hasp & padlock (soon to be upgraded to a dead bolt with some extra hidden trickery to make it unpenatrable by anything other than an Oxy)

I do have drawings of mine Ben but I'd say they are of no use to you because it was only ever designed to be Cat A & B complient.

I know this is NSW FAR but you might get something out it Safe Storage Cat C,D&H


Mick.

[Varminator]

In NSW you can use those School Lockers! I'm not kidding I have a mate who uses one and it gets passed every time he's been inspected, mind you he has an alarm in the Garage where it's kept so I suspect that may also help but I couldn't believe that you could use one as a safe!

I wouldn't be putting my firearm collection in something flimsy like that I can tell ya.

[MrCarbine]

Try some of the safe suppliers that supply banks and government. They have lots of used safes at low prices.

I'm in much the same boat as you.
I could find bugger all good info on the net, so I went to work on the weekend and stripped a couple of safes and took a heap of photos of one of them so I can copy it.
I did a lot of viewing on youtube about safe cracking/breaking so as to avoid common pitfalls, found it somewhat helpful.

For locks this [url=http://stores.ebay.com.au/mightylocks[/url] is the best I could come up with (A lot of top makers use some of these brands)

The other thing I was thinking of doing was getting an old safe and modifying it or just using the parts.

Were you thinking of going fire proof?

[Omega_Rifles]

Try some of the safe suppliers that supply banks and government. They have lots of used safes at low prices.

That could be a good way to go to .

[TRE]

Ebay has some good heavy duty safes, I am looking at one now that will take Cat D for $579. It is a factory second but that doesnt matter to me as long as it meets TasPol requirements.

Ebay has some good heavy duty safes, I am looking at one now that will take Cat D for $579. It is a factory second but that doesnt matter to me as long as it meets TasPol requirements.

Got a Link?

Dont want to buy it on you just interested

[TRE]

Looks pretty solid, havent asked for the specs but at 288kg it would be more then enough, my current pistol safe weighs over 500 but it is 10mm with concrete.

I was thinking it would make an awesome pistol safe.

Just deck it out with a few shelves, and if you wanted to put your AR next to them you would be fine.

It's not $579 it's $529

[Gregt]

If you want some photos of the locking mechanism on the big Chubb safes let me know. I opened up the fireproof inner door to change the lock barrels on mine and it's a really neat but simple setup.

If you want some photos of the locking mechanism on the big Chubb safes let me know. I opened up the fireproof inner door to change the lock barrels on mine and it's a really neat but simple setup.

I would love to see some. Love seeing how things work and how different manufactures do things.

[tAK]

I'd suggest getting a "free quote" from a engineering company that specialises and ask them how they would tackle the lock to be compliant.

The take their sketch and build away

[digger]

My project is a little bit bigger.

Working through the process of extending my shed to encompass a 20 foot shipping container, so that all of my gun safes and tools can be securely locked up together.

Shipping container will be dyna bolted to concrete slab floor. End doors will be welded shut. Working on a design for a 3mm 1800h x 650w steel access door, that will be welded into one side panel. My plan so far is to base the access door on a similar design to a gun safe door. Three locking points on unhinged side plus one top and bottom. If I cant find a suitable mechanism, they will all be individual Ross Locks.

Working with a local sheet metal company to get my door and frame press up. Any suggestions for suppliers of a suitable lock mechanism will be greatly appreciated.

My existing gun safes and ammunition safe will be bolted inside the shipping container to RHS welded to container walls.

Whilst the modified shipping container may not meet every gun safe requirement, it will enable me to have a break from reloading or cleaning a firearm, without having to lock everything away. Further, I will be able to rest easier knowing that potential thieves will have to break into the shipping container, prior to getting access to my oxy set and grinder.

Once I make a bit more progress, I will post some pics.

Cheers

Paul

double post

My project is a little bit bigger.

Working through the process of extending my shed to encompass a 20 foot shipping container, so that all of my gun safes and tools can be securely locked up together.

Shipping container will be dyna bolted to concrete slab floor. End doors will be welded shut. Working on a design for a 3mm 1800h x 650w steel access door, that will be welded into one side panel. My plan so far is to base the access door on a similar design to a gun safe door. Three locking points on unhinged side plus one top and bottom. If I cant find a suitable mechanism, they will all be individual Ross Locks.

Working with a local sheet metal company to get my door and frame press up. Any suggestions for suppliers of a suitable lock mechanism will be greatly appreciated.

My existing gun safes and ammunition safe will be bolted inside the shipping container to RHS welded to container walls.

Whilst the modified shipping container may not meet every gun safe requirement, it will enable me to have a break from reloading or cleaning a firearm, without having to lock everything away. Further, I will be able to rest easier knowing that potential thieves will have to break into the shipping container, prior to getting access to my oxy set and grinder.

Once I make a bit more progress, I will post some pics.

Cheers

Paul

Have a look at the doors on explosives magazines, the system works well. You can Google AS2187 for the specs.

[Capn Dazza]

I made mine out of 8mm plate. 6 point locking with a Kaba 4 wheel combo lock. Total cost was about $500. Took me 3 days to weld up and paint.

It would easy hold a dozen or so guns.

If you have the time and skills or mates that do I would definatly encourage making youre own.

AutoCAD files for design available for interested folks.

Yep I'm interested. PM if you want to email them.

[Kong2379]

Yeah I would be keen for the AutoCad files also, PM me if you are happy to email them.

[pete86]

I made mine out of 8mm plate. 6 point locking with a Kaba 4 wheel combo lock. Total cost was about $500. Took me 3 days to weld up and paint.

It would easy hold a dozen or so guns.

If you have the time and skills or mates that do I would definatly encourage making youre own.

AutoCAD files for design available for interested folks.

I'd like a set also mate if possible. Email option too if you can be bothered. Autocad file would be fine for me...im a draftsman.

Cheers Pete

[danandria]

Gidday Ben,
I like the idea of building a safe too, but when you consider the costs like steel, hinges, locks, welding costs like power and then add in your time it gets bloody expensive. The main benefit of course it would be custom made and fit where you want it. I originally had a 7 guns safe then I upgraded it to a 12 my LGS traded the 7 safe back which was really cool...anyway 2 months later I was out of room again so I just went and bought it back again!. I figured its cheaper and easier to buy more small ones.