Anybody ever built their own safe/vault door?

[txfireguy2003]

I've seen a few threads where guys built their own vault/safe room, but I think they all bought a pre made safe door.
Those are EXPENSIVE. So that got me to looking at what a safe door really is and how it works, and they really aren't that complicated, at least not the ones I've seen. Now, of course, bank vault doors and the like will be more refined and complicated, but the basic gun safe mechanism isn't that complicated. Anybody with a plasma cutter, or maybe even a jig saw and lots of time and blades, could build the locking mechanism, then it's just a matter of buying a combo lock which are readily available online and building a steel door to mount it in. Has anybody built one of these instead of buying? We're about to move to the country (sort of) and being farther out, I want to have a more secure, and larger gun storage option, combined with a place to shelter in case of a tornado. I was going to do something similar to the thread a few years ago with the steel reinforced concrete panels welded in place with a poured concrete and steel top. All of that I can do pretty cheap, but the door is where it gets ridiculous. I was thinking of a nice solid 1/4" door with a 2x2x1/4" box welded on to contain the locking mechanism, and maybe even a plate of AR-500 welded in to protect the mechanics from a drill attack. A 2x2x1/4" frame, several 1"+ locking bolts..... I can design it, and probably build it too, just wondering if anyone had already been down this road.

[flatlander]

I haven't built one but I've seen one built.

A (very gifted) young man built a safe as a project for our county fair and the mechanism was a lot like you describe, and from looking at it I'd say he snapped some photos of the inside of a gun safe and copied it pretty well. His looked great and was totally functional, and from looking at it I'd say it was as secure as any commercial safe.

[Avezorak]

Add some drywall for fire insulation.

If you plan to use it to shelter, make the door swing into the vault instead of out.

[txfireguy2003]

Add some drywall for fire insulation.

If you plan to use it to shelter, make the door swing into the vault instead of out.

Yep, that's the plan, I just haven't figured out how I'm going to do the drywall and not interfere with the locking mechanisms, as in, where do I put the drywall? I also need to figure out a seal that fits tight around all sides including the floor.

[RyanC26]

I am definently in for this one. We are moving into a new house, and I sold my gun safe with the last house. What was the other thread you refered to? It seems like I remember a build on here from a few years ago...

[ajm2nac]

fallowing

[Hoggslayer]

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410116

This is a good one.

[txfireguy2003]

I am definently in for this one. We are moving into a new house, and I sold my gun safe with the last house. What was the other thread you refered to? It seems like I remember a build on here from a few years ago...

See link above. That's the basic plan, although I may go a different route and use cinder blocks, haven't decided yet, but I'll probably stick with the concrete panels. I'm just trying to save some cash on a door.

[Hoggslayer]

You could buy a used safe and cut the front off for the door. It might save you some money.

[RyanC26]

See link above. That's the basic plan, although I may go a different route and use cinder blocks, haven't decided yet, but I'll probably stick with the concrete panels. I'm just trying to save some cash on a door.

My last safe was a 64 gun with motion lights and humidity bars. I paid around 2G's for it, that included delivery and installation. All the safe doors that I am finding are pretty dang close to that... Have you found something a little more economical?

[txfireguy2003]

My last safe was a 64 gun with motion lights and humidity bars. I paid around 2G's for it, that included delivery and installation. All the safe doors that I am finding are pretty dang close to that... Have you found something a little more economical?

No, cheapest door I've found was 1800 plus delivery.

The reason I'm wanting to build it is so it can serve as a safe and tornado shelter.

[DEADEYE1]

Safe

No way in H### I would make one if my life was depending on it I would try these guys, they can do anything!!!!!!

http://www.sportsmansteelsafes.com/defender-vault-doors.html

[txfireguy2003]

No way in H### I would make one if my life was depending on it I would try these guys, they can do anything!!!!!!

http://www.sportsmansteelsafes.com/d...ult-doors.html

Out of curiosity, why not? Would you build an elevated deer stand for yourself?

I've seen those doors you posted, and the pricing plus delivery etc just seems a bit steep. I'm sure they are awesome, but as mentioned above, you can buy a complete safe, installed etc for about the same money as one of these doors, and you have to install it yourself! I mean, if you're worried about the quality or strength of something you built, it all seems fairly simple, as the strength is in the locking bolts and I suppose your welds. If you're worried about the quality of your welds....well I guess I can't help you there. :-D

[Draco]

I built one several years ago but also built the entire safe. The door opened outward but was recessed into 3" angle iron. I built the door and frame first and then built the safe around it. The door was double layered with fire proof sheet rock between. The hinge was also in between the layers. There was no hinges or latches showing on the door. You couldn't tell which side opened and which side had hinges. It had 2 electro magnets that latched the door, one at the top in the frame and one at the bottom in the door. The wires for the magnets went right into the wall behind the safe and operated by a light switch in another room. I wasn't allowed to take pictures as the customer didn't want any info out there. It was in the late 80's so I guess it's all right now.

[txfireguy2003]

That's a pretty good idea to just use magnets to hold the door shut! Takes away the whole design/execution problem with the locking bolts and cams etc.