NEED HELP - SAFE with Timer Found

[D-VO]

I recently found what I thought was a file cabinet in an old bank vault that is in a building I purchased. It was behind some boxes. I drilled out the file cabinet lock and found that the top two drawers had cash register style metal trays and the bottom one contained a safe with the keys in the lock. You would think that you could just turn the key and open the safe but it does not open, Instead you can hear a ticking timer as the key slowly turns itself back to square after about 10 or 15 minutes or so. I then try the key again and the same sequence happens again. There must be a trick to it but I cannot find anything online. Anyone out there have any experience with timed safes? I will include a few pictures. I can't find much about the company online either.

Sorry if this was not the proper location to post this but I couldn't find a section on safes.
Thanks so much.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[SusanMN]

I think there is a clock like mechanism inside and the safe will not open even with a key if the time of opening is wrong. For example if the timer was set for 2:00 pm then that is the only time the key will work to unlock the door. So the only trick is to use the key at the right time. You will probably need to force the doors somehow to get it open.

 

[Guardrailnickel]

Since you already drilled the lock, why not just cut it open? Honestly I cant imagine a bank leaving cash behind. Now if you have locked safe deposit boxes, that is a different story. Is so go for them first. Good luck!

 

[EQ8]

I think there is a clock like mechanism inside and the safe will not open even with a key if the time of opening is wrong. For example if the timer was set for 2:00 pm then that is the only time the key will work to unlock the door. So the only trick is to use the key at the right time. You will probably need to force the doors somehow to get it open.

How will the safe know what time it is?
I would think a good locksmith could explain how it's supposed to work.??
Be interesting to find out! Good thing no one had a gun to your head as you try to open it :-)

 

[cw0909]

John Tann history
Edw Tann two
contact John Tann
https://www.john-tann.com/

 

[Gare]

Why don't you contact the safe company with a model and ask them ?

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Well what you could do is try it every minute, after all 24 hours has 1,440 minutes, it's bound to be one of them!

I would get 2 big pry bars and a sledge hammer and rip the door off!

 

[D-VO]

Love all of the input on this. I drilled the lock on the cabinet and discovered the safe. I would rather replace that small lock and use the safe if I can figure out how it works. It is very neat. One person told me that old bank safes were on a timer and as soon as the timer ends the door pops open. So I figured maybe it just needed some help to open so I placed a magnet with a handle on it and waited for the timer to run out and no luck pulling at that point. Very interested on how it works now lol. I am sure that the keys that were left in the safe also held the key to the cabinet lock that was a push to lock type. The mystery continues. Hoping there is a surprise left inside but I kinda doubt it. LOL

 

[InAustralia.Jones]

TannTimer Lock.

The lock itself isn't complicated, it's latch is very similar to an ordinary house door lock, Latch and striker.

is you are not intending to keep the safe, use a 125mm grinder with 1mm cut disc - cut the latch off, the latch is level with the key hole at the opening end of door.

those time locks are tricky, who ever set it knows it's key position.

 

[chub]

Can you set up a tension wrench type situation - as in screw driver through the key with a rubber band attatched to supply the tension on the key?

Is there another (different) key that fits the lock after the timer is finished - as in one key for the timer, seperate key to open? ( isee there are a few on the bunch)

Just guessing... Would love to see if anything is inside. I hope its got something awesome inside!

chub

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Love all of the input on this. I drilled the lock on the cabinet and discovered the safe. I would rather replace that small lock and use the safe if I can figure out how it works. It is very neat. One person told me that old bank safes were on a timer and as soon as the timer ends the door pops open. So I figured maybe it just needed some help to open so I placed a magnet with a handle on it and waited for the timer to run out and no luck pulling at that point. Very interested on how it works now lol. I am sure that the keys that were left in the safe also held the key to the cabinet lock that was a push to lock type. The mystery continues. Hoping there is a surprise left inside but I kinda doubt it. LOL

If you are wanting to save the safe and being it is on a timer. I know it would be a pain in the you know what, but If you had time I would try it every minute and wait to see if the safe opened. Also, does the safe have a plug to plug in for power? If so then may have to wait until the unit fully charges itself. If not, then here is some places to look.

Some information on time delayed locks detail the key is turned and then it will open at a certain time during business hours whatever it was programmed for. A time-delay lock delays the opening of the lock after you have used the key or code, e.g. you must wait for a specified period of time before the safe will open. This is usually used to prevent a robbery as staff cannot be forced to opened the safe immediately

I can't post the whole link because I am using a government computer and they block some websites.

https://www.shanken.co.za/[URL="https://www.shanken.co.za/time-delay-locks"][URL="https://www.shanken.co.za/time-delay-locks"]time-delay-locks[/URL][/URL]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-delay_combination_locks

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Love all of the input on this. I drilled the lock on the cabinet and discovered the safe. I would rather replace that small lock and use the safe if I can figure out how it works. It is very neat. One person told me that old bank safes were on a timer and as soon as the timer ends the door pops open. So I figured maybe it just needed some help to open so I placed a magnet with a handle on it and waited for the timer to run out and no luck pulling at that point. Very interested on how it works now lol. I am sure that the keys that were left in the safe also held the key to the cabinet lock that was a push to lock type. The mystery continues. Hoping there is a surprise left inside but I kinda doubt it. LOL

Here is John Tann's website and contact info, Give them a call

http://www.142092.mrsite.com/Tann--John-Tann-Safes(2998557).htm

 

[Gare]

Don't be to impaitent and ruin the safe. The safe company may help you !!

 

[AU24K]

Interesting read....

I have a Personal Page, "Scotts Locks."

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/au24k/417979-scotts-locks.html

I have dealt with a few safes over the years, but have never had one with a timer.

The last safe that I bought was from an older couple who had bought their house some 20 years ago and it was in the basement when they bought it.
They were going to do some remodelling and they just wanted it gone and out of the way.
I told them I'd give them $50 AND carry it out by myself.
It was about the size of a large microwave.
The man said, "Deal! I'll hold the doors for you."

Anyway, when I lifted it, i shook it a bit and could tell that there was stuff inside.

I got it home, drilled for the spot to read the tumblers, and it swung open!

It was packed with old legal looking papers and,
In a cloth bag, was a $20 Gold St. Gauden's! GEM UNC! (IMHO)
It's my Avatar.

I filled the drill hole and have another useable safe!

I will ask around with my sources about time delay safes.

DON'T tear it up!

Older, unusual type safes can bring good money!

Good Luck!

Be Well!

Scott

 

[xr7ator]

Cool, Scott! I've got an old safe that needs drilled to get open. I hate to ruin the old oil painting of the front! It's a four wheel from what I understand. I have NO IDEA what's in it and I have had it for like 15 years. I saved it from the trash hoping to be able to save and use it. If you have any idea of help that i could get here in Denver, please advise.

GL with the time safe.

 

[AU24K]

Cool, Scott! I've got an old safe that needs drilled to get open. I hate to ruin the old oil painting of the front! It's a four wheel from what I understand. I have NO IDEA what's in it and I have had it for like 15 years. I saved it from the trash hoping to be able to save and use it. If you have any idea of help that i could get here in Denver, please advise.

GL with the time safe.

Cool!

Sounds like a 4 wheel combo. How did you come to that conclusion?
My clue was the "painting on front."
Older safes with the painted images are quite valuable.
Depending on size and interior compartments and configurations, could easily bring a few thousand.....
Older?

Perhaps a picture could help...

Best Wishes,

Scott

ADDED:
There are actually 2 different ways to defeat the locking mechanism.
One is to drill.
BUT! Exactly WHERE to drill?
There are so many different mechanisms on so many different brands of safes.
I have successfully drilled 9 safes and been able to fill the drill holes and have a perfectly good safe.

The other method is what us locksmiths call an "Auto Dialer."

There's good and bad with this method.
#1 Bad, for me, is the cost of the gear weighed against only a few safe calls a year.
So, I drill!

If you call a locksmith, ask if they have an auto dialer and how much. Can they drill and how much for that.
Just an afterthought.....

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Am I the only one that thinks calling the manufacturer of a safe to figure out how to defeat a safe is an unlikely idea?

 

[AU24K]

Am I the only one that thinks calling the manufacturer of a safe to figure out how to defeat a safe is an unlikely idea?

A lot of times, the older the safe, the more times that the combination has likely been changed from the original "factory" set combination.
Especially in a bank.....Plan A or Plan B?
Good luck trying to chase down an older safe manufacturer for help.
(HINT: Don't waste your time!)
Lock companies change hands at the whim of a stock gain. Dig?


I remember one time, a while back, calling a major lock company, looking for obscure parts to older locks that I was working on.
I was told that, "Yes!

They had that part!
But, I couldn't buy it because it was in their museum......

Well now....
Don't that just make you feel "Spring-Time" young?

Best,

Scott

 

[Holt0222]

The real question is how long of a time limit does the Safe have that it is open for? If you think about it you can probably guess the times that it would have been able to be opened and try those times. Early morning or later in the evening. A timed safe wouldn’t be opened mid day.

 

[Deep1]

When you turn the key and it winds down, have you tried turning it in opposite direction?