Before asking for assistance dealing with safes and vaults on ClearStar you need to do some preparation. The better you prepare the better your fellow ClearStar members will be willing and able to help you.

On the other hand, if you don't prepare then don't be surprised if you receive no responses or even worse, sarcastic responses. It is the job of no one to help you. Any help you receive is entirely voluntary - fellow members helping each other.

And if you do receive help please don't forget to...

  1. Express your thanks for the help you do receive
  2. Report back with the results of the completed job.
  3. Include photos of the final results / opening or repair

 

OK - What Does it Mean to be Prepared?


1st and most importantly...

You need to search the ClearStar Archives to see if what you need help with has already been discussed. Since the archives span over 20 years of ClearStar activity it's very likely it has.

Where are the Archives? They are a mouse click away. At the top-center of most ClearStar pages you will see a long blue and red navigation banner (like at the top of this very page). The 2nd item from the left on the bottom of the banner it says "Search". When you click on that a new tab or window will open within your browser and you will have arrived at the Search page for the Archives.

There are 2 pieces of information you must provide for each search...

    a) The search word/s      and    b) The Area / Archive to search

After reviewing the archives your post will need to include sufficient detail so that your fellow members are best able to help you....

In addition to the Manufacturer, Model, and Type (class/rating) of safe, you should also include as much of the following as possible...

1) Overall dimensions

2)
Type and dimensions of the door (rectangular, round, lug, lift-out, etc.)

3)
Construction type (fire, plate steel, composite, cladding, etc.)

4) Handle style (T, L, Spoke, etc.)

5)
Hinge style

6)
Dial and  Ring style, finish, numbering, type of opening index and the
     location of any change index or blank spacing in the numbering.

7)
Handle Center to Dial Center distance (HC to DC)

8)
Style of wheels or casters,  if any

9)
Original paint color. This can be helpful in determining the model and
     rating - especially on the higher security containers.

 

2nd and equally important...

Include good photos of the lock or container you are seeking help with. This is crucial for helping those members who are trying to help you. You may upload photos or diagrams to ClearStar by clicking the "Upload" button
in the posting form. The link for that is also found in the...
"Member Services" area of ClearStar. It is the link titled...
"Upload Images or pdfs".

Once you have photos in your ClearStar upload space  you can always access them at the link called "Directory of Your Files".
This link too is in the Member Services area of ClearStar.
 


Search Archives

Safe-Tech Forum

Safe-Tech Forum - Frames Format

Posting Form for Safe-Tech Forum
(to ask a question on the Forum)

Uploading photos to ClearStar

Directory of Your Files

Help Page - Image insertion, resizing, etc.

Carl Cloud Safe & Vault Educational Directory

Resource Area for Safe & Vaults
(very many pdfs)

Dialing Diagnostics by Jim Jeffries
     (also in Resource Area, as in link above this link)

Home Study Course for Beginners on Safes And Vaults
(pdf - 1.5 Mb)

ClearStar Member Services

Joining SAVTA - Safe & Vault Technicians Association
(Membership Application in pdf format - 183 Kb)

 

Some Common Acronyms:

AED = Anti-Explosive Device
AF    = Away from Flat (opposite flat)
ARD = Active Relock Device
BCH = Bolt Control Handle
BDC = Bottom Dial Center (when more than 1 dial present)
BFH = Big Fat Hammer or Hole
CK   = Change Key
CKH = Change Key Hole
CTP = Contact Points
DBH = Dead Blow Hammer
DC    = Dial Center
DI      = Drop In
DP = Drill Point
HC = Handle Center
HP = Hardplate
IRL = Internal Re-Locker
KCL = Keyless Combination Lock
LH = Left Hand
LOBC = Locked On Back Cover (often by the Combination)
RH = Right hand
RLD = Relock Device
RLT = Relock Trigger
TB = Toward Bolt
TDC = Top Dial Center (when more than 1 dial present)
VD = Vertical Down
VU = Vertical Up
XRL = External Relocker



Underwriters Laboratory Container Class Nomenclature...

TL = Tools, TR = Torch, TX = Explosives
15 = 15 minutes, 30 = 30 minutes
X6 = body [top, sides, bottom, or back] may all be attacked
If not "X6," attack may be only on door and front face


UL 687 =
 Standard for Burglary-Resistant Safes, uses the following designations for Classes of safes. This is based on the kinds and durations of forced entry they are tested to resist:

TL-15
TL-30
TL-15X6
TL-30X6
TRTL-30
TRTL-15X6
TRTL-30X6
TRTL-60X6
TXTL-60X6


Courtesy of Vaughan Armstrong, CMST, CML