How to Get a Safe Into the House
- Thread starter AlFarkle
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Steel Horse Rider
Member
Appliance dolly.
BearW
Member
I used a telehandler with a 10' piece of drill stem sticking off one fork and hung the safe off the end of it. Wish I had some pics. I did both of mine that way
BSA1
member
Some strong friends and a case of cold beer is probably the most common method. However the damage done to your house after you get the safe in place will probably cost you more than hiring professional movers doing it in the first place.
Save yourself the hassles along with your back by hiring professional movers.
Save yourself the hassles along with your back by hiring professional movers.
If you do not bolt it down then you are just making their job easier. They will find a way to move it, trust me. Mount it in an inside corner so that it is impossible to get a bar into the door opening on the side that swings out. Keep in mind that if they believe they have plenty of time and can make some noise - they'll remove it or force it open anyway. Buy good insurance.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
If it is reasonably man-handle-able, say 400 lbs. or less, you can probably shift it with some friends, and appliance dolly, and a bit of ingenuity. Youtube and other online sources will show you tricks for leverage and moving using things like sections of pipe, golf balls, etc.
You could also try to rent something like THIS.
Just be aware that there are some incredibly serious things that can go wrong when you're balancing intensely heavy loads and trying to move them.
If it gets much heavier than a few hundred lbs. you really need to talk to a professional about it. Not only can an out-of-control safe sliding down stairs kill someone, but some of the big boys will be more than the framing of your stairs is supposed to have to handle. You could do some real damage to your home.
You could also try to rent something like THIS.
Just be aware that there are some incredibly serious things that can go wrong when you're balancing intensely heavy loads and trying to move them.
If it gets much heavier than a few hundred lbs. you really need to talk to a professional about it. Not only can an out-of-control safe sliding down stairs kill someone, but some of the big boys will be more than the framing of your stairs is supposed to have to handle. You could do some real damage to your home.
anothernewb
Member
Honestly. I hired a service. best $150 I've spent in a long time. Wouldn't do it any other way.
We just moved a Liberty Lincoln L50 that weighs 1115 pounds. I used a 1200 pound rated appliance dolly that I purchased from Northern Tools and we made some ramps out of 2x6's to negotiate some steps off the front porch of the house. I had three other friends to help me.
We made our ramps and did our planning beforehand. You need to think out your move route and angles and turns before attempting such a job. You can move a large safe using careful thought and leverage, but you cannot out muscle something that large.
Removing the front door is helpful on some models. The appliance dolly is a must.
We made our ramps and did our planning beforehand. You need to think out your move route and angles and turns before attempting such a job. You can move a large safe using careful thought and leverage, but you cannot out muscle something that large.
Removing the front door is helpful on some models. The appliance dolly is a must.
oneounceload
member
If it has outside hinges, you may be able to remove the door - that will eliminate 1/3 of the weight AND make the remainder a lot better balanced to move.
If you have to move it across carpeting, I suggest some plywood to roll any wheeled device over.
If you have to move it across carpeting, I suggest some plywood to roll any wheeled device over.
I had my safe delivered by Liberty. It was the best 250.00 I've ever spent. That's why when I moved, I had them move it. They used a special trailer, an electric dolly and steel rollers. I would never consider trying this myself and I can pretty much do anything...
DeepSouth
Random Guy
I took mine off my truck with my tractor's hay forks, then I sat it on the concrete in the garage, tossed some glof balls under it and rolled it into place. Took me and my 14yo about 20 minutes. It was a 980lb safe.
Fortunately I didn't have to deal with any stairs just about a 4" threshold at the door.
Fortunately I didn't have to deal with any stairs just about a 4" threshold at the door.
Look into a modular safe, like the Zanotti. They are not as heavy as some others, and don't (can't) have thick fireproofing, but they can be assembled in place and the parts can be handled by two men (or one strong man).
Basically it depends in part on what you need. An average burglar or home invader is going to be discouraged by anything that looks like a safe; a professional gang with the right tools can break into the gold store at Fort Knox if left alone long enough.
I see folks saying that a minimum is 5" thick armor steel, with a foot thick door, and four combination locks, plus an alarm system. Ideal? Maybe. But totally impractical in most homes.
Jim
Basically it depends in part on what you need. An average burglar or home invader is going to be discouraged by anything that looks like a safe; a professional gang with the right tools can break into the gold store at Fort Knox if left alone long enough.
I see folks saying that a minimum is 5" thick armor steel, with a foot thick door, and four combination locks, plus an alarm system. Ideal? Maybe. But totally impractical in most homes.
Jim
X-Rap
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Plywood, planks, carpet scraps, couple old tires, golf balls, some short scraps of pipe, heavy dolly, manpower.
Some or all of those items will place any safe/RSC.
Some have threaded holes in the top for eye bolts, just be sure to use closed eye bolts designed for lifting. Winches or come alongs can be useful with eyes.
Some or all of those items will place any safe/RSC.
Some have threaded holes in the top for eye bolts, just be sure to use closed eye bolts designed for lifting. Winches or come alongs can be useful with eyes.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
1. Load safe in truck.
2. Back truck up to house at high speed.
3. Slam on brakes at last moment without hitting the house.
Now that the safe is in the house, it's a simple matter to right it, and repair the walls.
Sorry, De Debbel made me say that!!
rc
2. Back truck up to house at high speed.
3. Slam on brakes at last moment without hitting the house.
Now that the safe is in the house, it's a simple matter to right it, and repair the walls.
Sorry, De Debbel made me say that!!
rc
243winxb
Member
Guy put safe in den, it ended up in the basement. Make sure the floor will support it. Professional movers, better their back then yours.
Trailduster79
Member
A nice dolly and three people is how I got mine into the house.
When my dad's massive gun safe was delivered they had a dolly that climbed stairs on its own. That made it really easy to get into the house.
When my dad's massive gun safe was delivered they had a dolly that climbed stairs on its own. That made it really easy to get into the house.
If it's a relatively small "safe" then a couple of people can move it up a few steps with the use of an appliance dolly.
Put it on the dolly and strap it down with extra ratchet straps, especially at the bottom. You DO NOT want that puppy sliding off at the bottom in mid stair. I have a Liberty, don't recall the details, that is probably rated for 24 long guns and we had no problem going up one short flight, 5-6 steps.
I bolt mine to the concrete floor just to make sure it isn't an easy target. I have no belief that they will stop a determined thief with plenty of time.
Put it on the dolly and strap it down with extra ratchet straps, especially at the bottom. You DO NOT want that puppy sliding off at the bottom in mid stair. I have a Liberty, don't recall the details, that is probably rated for 24 long guns and we had no problem going up one short flight, 5-6 steps.
I bolt mine to the concrete floor just to make sure it isn't an easy target. I have no belief that they will stop a determined thief with plenty of time.
Elkins45
Member
For stairs I would hire someone, or at least use a good appliance dolly with multiple friends and a safety rope at the top.
My big safe weighs 1050 so I elected to put it in the garage. It came with metal feet bolted to the bottom and I lowered it onto a box full of steel BBs to roll it into position. I just left the layer of BBs to provide some air space between the metal and the concrete and bolted it to the floor.
If your safe has fire protection then think about installing it on the lowest floor of your home. I have a friend who is a fireman and his advice was "Put it in the basement, because if you have a really serious fire that's where it's going to end up anyway."
My big safe weighs 1050 so I elected to put it in the garage. It came with metal feet bolted to the bottom and I lowered it onto a box full of steel BBs to roll it into position. I just left the layer of BBs to provide some air space between the metal and the concrete and bolted it to the floor.
If your safe has fire protection then think about installing it on the lowest floor of your home. I have a friend who is a fireman and his advice was "Put it in the basement, because if you have a really serious fire that's where it's going to end up anyway."
Wicked1911
Member
With a handful of 2 foot sections of 3 inch PVC pipe, you can roll that thing anywhere.
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