Value Safes

Based on the thickness of the bolts at 7/8 inch…which might as well be a 1 inch bolt in my opinion.  You have the makings for a high security wall safe.  Except without the drill resistant hardplate.  Which for my experience with safes in general, I have NEVER seen a safe attacked with a drill!  I have seen every tool under the sun PLUS metal mop buckets, broom handles, and chairs used on safes. (This should give you an idea of the desperation of a thief and the endurance of safes).

I really like this safe model and its big brother the EW-03for an extremly well built wall safein its price range.  Be careful of the depth. Its deeper than the standard wall that is 2×4.  So this one will need a special place.  

Another thing to point out is that I would like to see added to this safe is more mounting holes on the left and right side of the wall safe.  You can add these real quick by just drilling extra holes with a standard drill and bit.  If you will take the time to add these and then use these holes.  This wall safe will be very tightly fastened to the wall studs.  I also prefer screws. 

If you are in a new construction building that uses metal studs be sure to use a “self taping screw” available from any hardware store.  Also use a washer or lock washer on the inside of the safe for best security.  So if your wall safe doesn’t come with three holes just add them.

Over all I give this safe a thumbs up for construction and protection against theft.  There is no fire rating in this model.  You can purchase this model from ValueSafes on their wall safes section.

I wanted to take the time out to discuss some pro’s and con’s of Wall Safes.  ValueSafes sells many different models from High Security Wall Safes, Fireproof Wall Safes, Hidden Wall Safes, and just affordable Wall Safes.  This will be a practicle discussion. I welcome anyone to leave feedback of their experiences to add to this article. 

First lets look at the varying qualities of wall safes.  Prices start from $59.00 and go up to as much as $700.  They all have one security feature in common.  Thier hidden.  Nobody can find them.  Thus the old saying about “Out of sight Out of mind” comes into play.  If a thief can’t find the safe. How can he break into it?  This is the top feature of ALL wall safes. 

Now lets think about what happens if a thief finds it. (Heaven forbid but it does happen) First most thieves DON’T come with tools. Most come empty handed and want to leave with their hands full.  They don’t come running straight for the wall safe with a crow bar in hand. 

But lets say they did come into the house with a crow bar in hand.  How would a wall safe hold up in a real attack? Well, they will get into the $59 wall safe pretty darn quick….like gone in 60 seconds quick.  Depressing and scary t0 think about…I know I wouldn’t want that to happen to me!

Lets look a little closer. The door is sealed by a key operated cam lock on this small model and the metal in pretty thin.  Now lets say its a model that uses a Dial or keypad?  Hmmm, not as quick but with time they can pry the door open.  How much time will vary upon the tools used and the strength of the person whacking on the wall safes.  (Are you starting to get nervous about buying a wall safe…keep reading)

Okay, lets say I install a B Rated Wall Safe.  Drill resistant hardplate. Group II dial combination.  Multiple mounting holes for attaching to the wooden studs.  This one is not gonna get pryed open.  It would be an absolute monster with big teeth holding onto the wood studs!  But if the wood or wall gives way the thief can take the safe with him and work on opening at home.

The moral of the story is….

1.Wall Safes are best for keeping out “sticky fingers”. 

2.Attach the Wall Safe with all mounting hardware so it is as secure as possible.

3.Find a good place to hide the safe.

4.You will get what you pay for in a wall safe if a real thief attacks it.

Remember to think of your home in layers of security. Good Deadbolts and window locks.  Sliding doors need more than a wooden dowl rod to keep them from opening. Alarms are an interior layer that should be considered.  Wall Safes are great and work great if the above layers are in place. 

If the above layers are not in place, I would give thought to where I was putting the safe. (attic spaces are rarely looked into because they are so out of the way for theives) If I couldn’t find a place that I was totally convinced that nobody would find, I would rethink getting a wall safe…unless its for keeping out “sticky fingers”.

Take a look at ValueSafes for an excellant selection or give them a call to check into this a little more deeply. 

Wall Safe model EW-B1.  This is a favorite model for those that want a electric keypad and a quick install in almost any wall space.  Has four holes for attaching the wall safe to the studs in the wall.  Large flange to cover up the cutting of the sheet rock to install this wall safe.  (Large flange is good if you are not very good at cutting a hole in sheet rock, it covers up the mess of crooked lines and makes it look neat and pretty)

Sizable height adds lots of room for storage and shelves are included.  There are no extra shelves you can put into this wall safe. It also has a key bypass in case the batteries go dead or you just want to use a key. 

Overall this is a very good model.  Easy to install and easy to hide away your goodies inside.  Though this is not a High Security Wall Safe.  It is an excellant price point and does have the main security feature that all wall safes depend on.  Its hidden!

Visit www.ValueSafes.com for more information or prices. They also have free shipping. See there Wall Safe page.

Wall Safe model Protex PWS1414c …ever wonder where in the world they get these model numbers?  Well let me tell you. P=Protex W=wall S=Safe 1414 are the inside height and width in inches. C is for combo dial.  So if you are looking for a safe with a 14 x 14 inside sizing you have found it.

Take a look at the picture below and you will notice the inside is much smaller than the over all height of the wall safe.  Thats because this wall safe has a very large “flange” to cover up in messy problems you may have had cutting the sheet rock to install it.  Thats real nice of them since most folks are not handymen per se.

 Nice double shelving in this wall safe to take advantage of the interior space. Pay close attention to the depth at 3 3/4 inches.  Not alot of room for paperwork or large objects. But plenty for jewelry, cash, passports, and more.  Easy access space to the interior so you can screw it to the 2×4’s.  However, take a look at that dial. Hmmm, she sticks out a bit. Looks like its just under an inch protrusion.  So much for a flush wall safe.  Better find something to cover this wall safe before you buy it.  Maybe be something loose hanging over it like a tapestry or better yet, put it in the closet behind a bunch of clothes!  You could even mount it down low and put a dresser in front of it.  But that might be a pain to move when you want in or out of the safe.  Something to think about.

Steel is 14 gauge so thats stonger than the cheaper models.  So that makes for a good value.  However I would not call this a “High Security Wall Safe“….those things are over twice the price of this more affordable wall safe from Protex.  The reason being is the wall safe is using the bolt from the lock to keep the door shut.  Which is good just not high security..know what I mean? 

With a depth of only 3 3/4 inches there is no room for material to make this a fireproof wall safe.  I have heard no customer complaints on this model and would give a thumbs up for a good quality wall safe.  Check out www.ValueSafes.com for retail pricing on this model. They normally have good sales and free shipping.

Lets take a look at Wall Safes.  Starting with model 7150.  Good size and easy install with this wall safe.  One of the first things you want to do is find a hidden spot where you can install the safe.  Pay close attention to the depth of any model you purchase.  This wall safe fits easy between two studs in a 2×4 wall. 

Comes with a combination lock and a flat key lock.  You will need to dial the combo and use the key to retract the bolts.  The steel is 16 gauge which is a good thickness.  To attach the wall safe to the studs you will open the door on the safe and you will see holes that you can send screws or nails through….use screws and a drill for quick install.

Wall Safe model 7150 is NOT Fireproof.  Most wall safes are not fireproof.  This is because the fireproof material used is so thick and you don’t have much room in a normal 2×4 wall.  The depth would leave you with no room left to put stuff inside.

However, there are other models of Wall Safes that are fireproof but they are much larger in depth.   WS-DIY is one wall safe that is fireproof and it has a depth of 15 inches!  Better look for a big spot before you purchase one of those.

Back to the Sentry 7150,  now lets take a look at its theft prevention.  This will depend on your hiding place for it.  For that is where all wall safes get their protection from…being hidden.  You may be asking “What if a thief finds the safe, then what?”  Hmmm, now we need to look at the construction.  Remember its only screwed into two 2×4 studs.  It the thief takes a claw hammer to the safe.  The safe should hold up, however, the 2×4 studs may let go of the screws…this is a down side if you don’t use All the screws. 

Realistically, if you have an alarm on the house. The thief will not have time to look for it much less pry it out of the wall.  You can purchase a B-Rated Wall Safe, and they are more secure, but it still can be pryed from 2×4’s if not installed correctly. 

To see more information visit www.ValueSafes.com to purchase a wall safe or call them for more information regarding safes and security.

 Rated Safes model by Hayman DV-2720.  This is the largest B-rated safe that Hayman Safe sells.  Comes with a Group II dial lock Lagard 3330.  Which is a top rated lock for fireproof safes.  I have included an external picture of the safe below. 

When you look at the safe you will notice there are no hinges on the outside.   Just a strip of stainless steal where they should be located.  This Safe has an internal hinge or hinge bar is a better word to use.  Which locks into place behind the right wall of the safe.  This is much better than having bolts and a hinge lock it into place. 

Some people are concerned about external hinges on some safe models.  They think a thief can grind off the hinge and get into the safe.  Well, thats not how a thief breaks into the safe.  But if they did the internal bolts on the hinge side would prevent them from opening the safe.  That is on a normal internal hinge.  However, this internal hinge is different.  It has a full length locking bar built into the hinge.  Which is a top of the line setup for a safe.  I prefer this method above all others. 

In my opinion, Hayman Safe is one, if not the, top designers of safes in the US.  You will always get more for your money when you purchase Hayman then you would with a comparative model made by someone else.  No, I don’t work for Hayman Safe but they are available on www.ValueSafes.com Great prices and great service. 

Be sure to read our other postings in B Rated Safes.  Because I included general information that has to do with all the safes in this line up.  I just don’t include it here because I hate to be repetitive.

B

One of the things I have noticed is when it comes to safes, the B rated Safes are the neglected category of safes.  Nobody is out there searching for these types of safes.  I think its just a lack of education in the market place.  We locksmiths, as a group, are a lot like magicians.  Pretty tight lipped when it comes to talking.  We really don’t do much selling and only answer questions when someone shows a real interest.  However, IF a real interest is shown,  we also have tendency to ramble until our customers eyes roll back in their heads!  Leaving them wishing they would have NEVER asked!  (This is my sin…and confession is good for the soul they say..)

Lets take a look at the model DV2117 from Hayman Safe.  It’s rating is UL listed 1 1/2 fireproof safe.  UL is important here because you may be comparing this model with an SB-02c from Cobalt which is rated as a 2 hour fireproof safe.  You read it and think Wow, its two hours! That’s gotta be better than 1 1/2 hours….right?!?  Ahhhh, slow down grasshopper and let us look at this more closely. 

The two hour fireproof safe is not UL listed. But only “factory tested”…which is good.  But what does factory tested mean?  (I’m using the SB-02c as a hypothetical subject to compare against) The Sb-02c is put in a furnace with propane torches hitting it on all sides.  They turn up the heat to 1700 degrees for two hours.  Then turn it off and check inside temp to make sure it didn’t go above 350 degrees inside and charr the paper.  Well, maybe it charred it just a little…thats good enough for the factory and great for advertising! 

However, the same test at UL and it would be knocked down to the lower category and retested.  They also test with high quality testing equipment where the factory just throws it in the oven and sets the temperature at 1700 degrees and bake for 2 hours. Now then its important to point out what the fire department tells us about fire.  Which is a normal home or office burns at only 950 degrees…relatively cool when compared to 1700+ degrees. (not that I want to be in either situation)  So both safes have darn good protection. 

Hmmm. This should give you some food for thought. Personally, I would buy the B rated over the SB-02c because I know without a doubt what it will do in regards to fire.  Now in regards to burglary.

This is a UL Test B Rated safe.  Which means these guys have pulled out the tools and  crowbars etc.  and have scientifically beat the living snot out it!  They have also drilled on it, hammered, pry-ed to their hearts content AND it still held up.  Gotta love that.  Where the SB-02c has not been through this rigorous testing.  The factory only looked at it and designed it to hold up to similar attacks that UL performed on the B rated safe.  They may have even taken a crow bar and tools to it on the back driveway to see if it holds up.  “It did, GREAT lets call it a fire and burglary safe!”  Not very scientific but at least they did something to test this model.

You should now have a good feeling about why you would want a UL listed fire and B rated safe.  Take a look at the other postings on b rated safes to get a good idea of how this safe is made.  It is basically a medium size safe, with a wall bolt locking mechanisim and two holes in the bottom to secure it to the floor for total protection.  Take a look at one at www.ValueSafes.com for more size deminsions and details of price.

B Rated Safes are the first in a series of Burglary rated safes by UL.  And the first that would be considered a High Security Safe. There are also C Rated Safes and E Rated safes.  However, nobody really makes the C Rated Safes or E Rated Safes anymore.  The reason they quit making them is because of insurance companies.

Sound strange I know.  But here is why, the difference between the B, C, and E rated safe is not that much.  They normally just add a little more hardplate to the door.  Granted it is as much as another 1/2 inch of hardplate.  Which is a lot of hard plate.  But from a perspective of trying to break into the Safe.  Its not alot.  Because once I have the safe prepared to drill, which takes about 15-30 minutes, it doesn’t take that much longer to go through the an extra 1/2 inch plate.  Notice I said drill, you don’t really drill because hardplate is drill resistant.  So you have to melt the steel.  Well once I’m melting its just more of the same.  Its the prep time that really slows things down.

This is why insurance companies said they wanted to use a TL Safe  or a B-rated instead of the C or E rated Safe.  So there are our choices. 

This review is on the Hayman Safe model DV-1215.  The DV stands for Dyna Vault.  Cool name for their B Rated safes.  This first thing you will notice on the picture below is NO bolts on the door!  The entire inside wall moves into place to lock the door.  Notice also there are no outside hinges. Just one door length hinge/ lockbar that folds into place to keep the door locked.  Great design on this safe to protect against burglary.  One of the best B Rated safes on the market today.

UL listed 1 1/2 hour fireproof safe as well makes this a high quality, high security safe.  It really gets my vote as the best B-Rated safe for its size in the industry.  Oh, one last item. You will notice two holes inside the safe on the bottom.  Those are to be used to bolt it to the floor.  Most safes only have a single bolt hole. This one has two for double security against a thief walking off with it.

Here is the MONSTER SAFE of TL 15 Safes.  Weighing in at 2100 lbs.  Over 63 inches tall on the exterior.  If you need something larger than this, I might suggest two smaller units.  The weight of this safe can cause logistic issues when it comes time to move it.  My friends at www.valuesafes.com and www.vaultandsafe.com include free shipping with this TL15 Safe.  With the price of fuel and shipping these days, I don’t know how they make money selling one of these. 

The hinges on the safe are built to last.  That is one of the most important features on this safe and here’s why.  On a door of this magnatude the hinges are the first to go if they are poorly made. This is due to the weight of the door.  The chance of an attack gets real slim because a safe this size is more intimadation than a thief could handle.  He will look like one of the Neanderthal men from the movie “2001 a Space Odyssey” just staring and grunting at the Monolith in the begining of the movie.  I laugh just think about it. 

I have included typical facts below on this safe.  You can order extra shelves on any of these models in this section.  As a side note when it comes to receiving this safe you may want to pay the extra money to have it brought inside via “White glove” delivery service.  You can also save a little by having it sent to your local moving company. Then let them bring it inside and place it.  Most “free shipping” websites only bring to the outside door.  It will take several guys just to move this on a pallet jack on a level surface.  The most I have moved was 1600 lbs.  and that was with a “Safe Dolly” specially designed for moving safes. (It was only rated for 1500 lbs and I bust two wheels and one hydrolic jack…..my bad…but at least it made it through the entire move.) My good friend John Lester help me move it.  Had we not been wearing our locksmith uniforms we too would have looked like a couple of Neanderthals.  We were certainly sweating afterwords on that August afternoon in Southwest Florida.

Best thing to do is contact ValueSafes.com to discuss further details.  You will not regret buying the best quality in a TL15 Safe.  I heartily suggest this model for jewelry stores, check cashing, credit unions, and pawn shops.  Be sure to check with your insurance company in regards to saving money on you rider policies for jewelry in this TL15 safe.

TL 15 Safes can come fireproof or non fireproof.  Hayman Safe model MV15-4120 comes with a 1 1/2 hour fireproof  UL rating.  Excellant quality, craftsmanship, and design in this unit.  In my opinion, if you are going to spend this kind of money on a TL 15 safe, you should get the fireproof rated model. 

I recieved a call a number of years ago from a large chain jewelry company wanting to sell me their 4 large TL 15 safes that had no fireproof material.  I declined to purchase them because it would take years to sell them at that size with no fireproofing.  They called me back one month later and PAID me to haul them off!  Of course I kept them in the back of the shop but only sold 1 over the next couple of years.  One was given away to charity and then I sold the shop.  I think they are still there!  So you never know what your plans are for your safe and its worth buying a high quality, high security safe that will hold its value like a Hayman Safe.  I have a waiting list for people that want a used one…that should tell you something.

The weight on this model is almost 1300 lbs.  So this is about as big as can be easily moved by moving companies and shippers.  Pay close attention if you live in a high rise building about the weight your elevator can handle.  Remember that it must take a pallet jack.  Best to speak with your building maintance before you order.  Stair steps are the next thing to keep in mind.  Wooden stair cases will not be able to handle this weight as well as the equipment and men it will take to get it up the steps.  Often times in large cities you will have to hire a “rigger” that will use a series of ropes and pulleys from the outside of the building. 

Now that I have worried about the weight of the safe and moving it. Lets talk about a couple of the features this comes with.  Double remote relockers, to keep a professional thief out.  Most safes have either no relocker or a single relocker. To read more about relockers take a look at my article on “Does my Safe need a Relocker?” 

Bolt size is 1 1/2 inches each and instead of bolts on the hinge side you get a “Full length locking Bar” which gives total coverage of steel on the hinge side.  Where a bolt gives only a single contact on the side it comes out.  Don’t get me wrong, both are extremely secure.  Its just that a little bit better design idea than that of bolts. But better design and quality is what Hayman Safe is all about.

Safe comes with twin mounting holes in the bottom to bolt it down to a foundation.  It sounds hard to do but it will only take about 5 minutes.  I saw a very good article at a website called www.VaultandSafe.com on thier home page about bolting down to your floor.

Over all I give this model a top ranking for Value in cost, quality, design, follow up service available, and overall customer satifaction.  Check them out at www.HaymanSafe.com (the website needs a lot of updating) or you can purchase one from www.ValueSafes.com