Safe pros and cons

lunytune2 · January 6, 2010 7:36AM

I am looking to buy a safe and found one to suite my needs .. it is a safe with file cabinet drawers inside . My collection is housed in Dansco albums and Eagle certified coin albums . I heard many stories of humidity .. toning etc ... can you tell me of any precautions or anything else I would need to know .. I am a follower of Ricko and want to keep my coins from rusting (blast white) this safe was formerly in a local bank (mosler brand). I have not purchased it and would appriciate any feedback.
Tony

fastrudy · January 6, 2010 7:43AM

They make a great dehumidifier for the inside of safes. It is rechargeable, and once a month I plug it in for twelve hours, and it is good to go for another month. I will edit this post as soon as I get the name of it. It was relatively inexpensive and Ace Hardware carries it on their website.

It is an Eva-dry EDV 300, Renewable mini-dehumidifier. Quite small 6" x 4" x 1.5"

Walmann · January 6, 2010 7:46AM

Dehumidifer and silcagel packs or other such absorbants that have indicators on them are of great value.

Bayard1908 · January 6, 2010 9:42AM

<< I am looking to buy a safe and found one to suite my needs .. it is a safe with file cabinet drawers inside . My collection is housed in Dansco albums and Eagle certified coin albums . I heard many stories of humidity .. toning etc ... can you tell me of any precautions or anything else I would need to know .. I am a follower of Ricko and want to keep my coins from rusting (blast white) this safe was formerly in a local bank (mosler brand). I have not purchased it and would appriciate any feedback.
Tony >>

Is this a safe or a fire proof filing cabinet?

lunytune2 · January 6, 2010 9:55AM

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/for/1498580269.html

here it is

Bayard1908 · January 6, 2010 9:59AM

<< http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/for/1498580269.html

here it is >>

I don't see any locking bolts in the door. I don't believe that's a safe.

Flatwoods · January 6, 2010 10:00AM

I have no use for the electric de-humidifiers. They don't remove any moisture.
I keep all of my coins and medals, inside my safe, in tight sealing rubbermaid boxes. I keep a small box of silica gel in each box.
Before I bought the boxes I just put huge amounts of silica gel in the safe and had to recharge it every month. It's quite humid in the deep south.

Since I started putting everything inside the plastic boxes I haven't had to recharge the silica gel.
I feel much better now!!

itsnotjustme · January 6, 2010 10:03AM

Looks like a safe to me. Look at the hinges and the door thickness. The bolts may go out the top and bottom and not be visible in that view.

I must warn against posting about where you store your collection............ never know who reads this. And now they know you do not have a safe yet.

JRocco · January 6, 2010 10:04AM

<< 

<< http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/for/1498580269.html

here it is >>

I don't see any locking bolts in the door. I don't believe that's a safe. >>

I think Bayard may be right.
The description leads me to believe that only the 2 drawers have key locks as can be seen in the pic.
If so, it is not very safe (no pun intended).
Be sure the outer door has at least 2 sets of locking bolts as one would be easy to pry open.

JCMhouston · January 6, 2010 10:46AM

I use a golden rod in all of my safes (3 currently), it's probably the equivelant of running a 25 watt light buld all the time. It works well for firearms and coins as far as I can tell. Dessicant packs will also work, just remember to recharge them on occassion by heating them up. You can buy an inexpensive safe new at Walmart for under $400, they aren't "real" safes but almost none of us has a real one. These seem to be of decent quality, I have mine bolted to the studs in the walls and combined with the 2 alarm systems at least they will keep out the non-professionals.

Konahead · January 6, 2010 11:02AM

<< They make a great dehumidifier for the inside of safes. It is rechargeable, and once a month I plug it in for twelve hours, and it is good to go for another month. I will edit this post as soon as I get the name of it. It was relatively inexpensive and Ace Hardware carries it on their website.

It is an Eva-dry EDV 300, Renewable mini-dehumidifier. Quite small 6" x 4" x 1.5" >>

I use one of these in my safe and it works great. I take it out and just plug it in about every 3 weeks. I have had no milk spots and all my silver babbies are doing well.

Konahead · January 6, 2010 11:06AM

Due to the size I would be concerned about weight. You don't want something that can be easy to cart off. I would inquire on the weight and if that main door is locked and or bolted. IMHO

lunytune2 · January 6, 2010 1:02PM

I currently do have a safe ... but now that I use the eagle certified albums I way outgrew mine .. I did not notice no bolts on the door .. even if there are they can't be too thick ... I guess I am going to pass.
Thanks

notwilight · January 6, 2010 2:17PM

<< I currently do have a safe ... but now that I use the eagle certified albums I way outgrew mine .. I did not notice no bolts on the door .. even if there are they can't be too thick ... I guess I am going to pass.
Thanks >>

I agree. But you're doing the right thing watching for old bank and jewelry store safes. Try to find one that is TL-15 or TL-30 rated and at least 1000 lbs. --Jerry

lunytune2 · January 6, 2010 10:04PM

What about a gun safe and build some shelves inside ?

ricko · January 6, 2010 10:31PM

Many GOOD gun safes come with shelves inside. If you go that way, do not scrimp. Get a large one with a good rating (as recommended above). I use dessicant packages in my safe and have no problems. This safe has lived with me in AZ, FL, WA and NY. Cheers, RickO

notwilight · January 6, 2010 10:31PM

<< What about a gun safe and build some shelves inside ? >>

THere was a video on the internet a while back of two guys with nothing but crowbars prying open a gun safe in less than a minute. --Jerry

darktone · January 6, 2010 10:51PM

After my experience this year I think all those safe are good for is to let the crooks know where all your good stuff is at. They will get if they find it. A good alarm system is the way to go.

PTVETTER · January 6, 2010 10:55PM

The truth about safes

It only keeps honest people honest!

there is no safe that can't be opened. It's just how long it takes to get it opened!!!

Rule of thumb
gun safes take like 5 min to get into
other safes take about 20-30 min to get into.

Police response in my area less than 3 min.

Prethen · January 6, 2010 11:39PM

There's only one major con I can think of...home invasion robbery. If anyone knows you have a safe and the bad guys find out, they might think you have something of value to them in there. There have been multitudes of stories where families have been robbed (I'm not sure if killed, though) at gunpoint to get a safe opened.

lunytune2 · January 7, 2010 1:17AM

Then whats the other option ? This is purely an enjoyment hobby for me and if they are in a safety deposit box I may as well sell everything and quit !

lcoopie · January 7, 2010 3:12AM

<< Then whats the other option ? This is purely an enjoyment hobby for me and if they are in a safety deposit box I may as well sell everything and quit ! >>

insurance

PerryHall · January 7, 2010 3:41AM

<< The truth about safes

It only keeps honest people honest!

there is no safe that can't be opened. It's just how long it takes to get it opened!!!

Rule of thumb
gun safes take like 5 min to get into
other safes take about 20-30 min to get into.

Police response in my area less than 3 min. >>

The vast majority of burglaries are committed by amateurs. How long does it take the average teenager that is high on crack to break into a quality gun safe?

airplanenut · January 7, 2010 3:51AM

Silica gel will take out humidity, but if you want to prevent toning, you probably don't want a Dansco album. Your coins will likely receive some level of golden color in the near future...

BobSav · January 7, 2010 4:33AM

If you do decide to buy a safe don't get conned by all the "safes" that are sold in most outlets like Costco, walmart , SAms club, most sporting goods stores, they are NOT SAFES.
At best they are a "residential security container" also known as a "RSC".
They look like what we think a safe should look like but only provide the most modest protection.

If you want a safe buy a real safe and be prepared to spend the kind of money you will have to.

JMHO

Bob

Prethen · January 7, 2010 4:54AM

<< 

<< The truth about safes

It only keeps honest people honest!

there is no safe that can't be opened. It's just how long it takes to get it opened!!!

Rule of thumb
gun safes take like 5 min to get into
other safes take about 20-30 min to get into.

Police response in my area less than 3 min. >>

The vast majority of burglaries are committed by amateurs. How long does it take the average teenager that is high on crack to break into a quality gun safe? >>

Just hope like hell they don't have a gun and your family is home!

renomedphys · January 7, 2010 5:04AM

Yeah, safes only really work if the crook isn't threatening your or your loved one's life. Great for when you're not home.

Best not to let on that you have a safe at all, and when questioned about the security of your high $ coins, make sure to reply of course that they are kept in the SDB. The truth can be slightly more gray.

darktone · January 7, 2010 6:08AM

<< 

<< The truth about safes

It only keeps honest people honest!

there is no safe that can't be opened. It's just how long it takes to get it opened!!!

Rule of thumb
gun safes take like 5 min to get into
other safes take about 20-30 min to get into.

Police response in my area less than 3 min. >>

The vast majority of burglaries are committed by amateurs. How long does it take the average teenager that is high on crack to break into a quality gun safe? >>

From what the police report it said it took them about 20 minutes in our case- 19 and 17 year olds. I know I could have did it in about 5 minutes.

darktone · January 7, 2010 6:10AM

<< 

<< Then whats the other option ? This is purely an enjoyment hobby for me and if they are in a safety deposit box I may as well sell everything and quit ! >>

insurance >>

I am sure if your collection is large insurance won't cover anything unless you have an approved safe and alarm system and even then I am sure you will have to fight with them to collect.

fastrudy · January 7, 2010 6:30AM

If you do buy a safe, you might want to do what I did. Travelled a hundred miles away from home and paid cash, picked up the safe myself and drove it back home and installed it myself. Loose lips sink ships, eh?

MadMonk · January 7, 2010 6:47AM

I am in the anti-safe crowd. All the warnings are poignant. I like keeping them in a safe depostit box. Better yet, get two at differant locations. One for the coins, one for your receipts.
Fireproof saves retain moisture, by design. Not a good choice for coins. Also, use a metalsafe capsule in the inner box with your coins.

Peaceman · January 7, 2010 6:54AM

A smart educated theif can break into your home and either pick your lock or hook it up to a truck and pull it out of your house with a chain, even if it's 500 pounds and bolted to the floor in the basement....

Stupid people usually rob a bank....

If you can get your coins insured and keep them at your home, go for it... I like the security system at my bank even if my safety deposit box isn't insured.

Konahead · January 7, 2010 2:36PM

<< Many GOOD gun safes come with shelves inside. If you go that way, do not scrimp. Get a large one with a good rating (as recommended above). I use dessicant packages in my safe and have no problems. This safe has lived with me in AZ, FL, WA and NY. Cheers, RickO >>

I bought a very good "gun" safe, but when ordered they customized the inside for me with adjustable shelving and a light. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy I put the light as many times I like to just look at or check coins right in the safe. Weight is very important. We had a rash of breakins in Las Vegas where they came in with a moving trolly and just walked the mid size safe out the house and into their truck. b@st@rds!

Konahead · January 7, 2010 2:40PM

<< Then whats the other option ? This is purely an enjoyment hobby for me and if they are in a safety deposit box I may as well sell everything and quit ! >>

Get a safe, a good alarm system is always good for many reasons, and most important keep your mouth shut and don't tell anyone you have it.

ricko · January 8, 2010 2:13AM

A GOOD safe, (not a cracker box job) will NOT be opened in five minutes. Mine has twelve cross bolts (top bottom and sides), high grade steel (800 lbs empty), anchored to cement in an inaccessible area of my home. I have a security system, two dogs, motion sensors and firearms that I am trained to use. Come on down. I enjoy my coins whenever I so desire, with no monthly fee. Those who invent scenarios can always figure out a 'what if..' scene. Rubbish. Cheers, RickO

HalfStrike · January 8, 2010 2:34AM

Placid · January 8, 2010 3:00AM

Safes are good. Saftey deposit boxes are better. If you have to keep your coins at home also consider a security camera so if something does happen you can have a good chance of identifying who it was.

Some are not very expensive ~$300 pretty small,use little electricity, can be wireless and will upload pics to the internet,save them to your hard drive and or mail them to a email address when motion detecion is triggered.

fastrudy · January 8, 2010 3:46AM

A lot of good ideas here. When I go to the Caribbean, the room has one of those little safes in the closet. They are easily broken into. I take along a black envelope (photography store has these) and two small, powerful neodynium magnets. When I leave the room, I put cash in the envelope along with the magnets, and I stick it to the inside top of the safe. A thief in the dark usually breaks the safe and grabs what is in it. They don't normally investigate the top of the safe.

mozin · January 8, 2010 5:01AM

FoodSaver now has a new product called FreshSaver. This new item is ziploc style plastic bags, that also have a quarter size valve. A small battery operated vacuum pump is used to pump out all the air from the plastic bag. The bags are very sturdy. Should work well for anyone concerned about keeping their coins dry.

Safe pros and cons

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