what is a good strategy to bolt down a gun safe?

[vash]

i can drill and epoxy in some studs..but the thought of moving a safe up and over some extended bolts does not seem like a fun way to spend a day.

i was thinking of emptying it, drilling down from the safe floor and use some concrete lag bolts..contractors call them red-heads or something.

i dont think tapcon makes a big/long enough conc screw or i would just do that.

[craigster59]

I did mine just the way you said. Drill through the bottom of the safe and use Redheads.

[KFC911]

My safe came with predrilled holes in the bottom, but I didn't use them initially...not worried sbout it being stolen. But the damn thing wanted to tilt forward when the door was open at a certain angle so it's bolted to the floor now .

I didn't use lag bolts....just regular bolts that I put nuts on from my crawl space...

[masraum]

It wasn't a gun safe, but I have bolted down a safe before. It came with a bolt and anchor and was predrilled on the bottom. What I did was mark the holes, move the safe, drill the holes, move it back, then bolt down. I would think you might have to do the same since I wouldn't think you could get the anchors through the hole in the bottom of the safe or they would be too small.

[GH85Carrera]

To answer the question, I would use bolts.

You might swing by a safe store and talk to them. See if they have any solutions.

[GWN7]

Just fill it with enough guns & ammo that it is too heavy to move.

[id10t]

My cheap safe came with anchor holes set up already. Should I ever get around to putting it the back of our walkin closet Ill anchor it. Until then ....

[vash]

oh..mine already has a few holes in the bottom. the floor is thick! i'd need hardward with some reach.

[URY914]

Tapcons are worthless for this. A prybar would pull them out.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by URY914

Tapcons are worthless for this. A prybar would pull them out.

Good point....I ran my two bolts through a 2x4 beneath my subfloor with big washers...it'd take some effort .

[flipper35]

Ours came with the anchors and extra putty for the fire rating. They are or are similar to the Red Head Trubolt anchors.

[aigel]

As mentioned, you use bolts and put anchors into the concrete. I blessed a rental home once with a couple. Now in a raised foundation home it is into 1" wood subfloor and 2x4 studs.

I'd like to get a bigger one ...

G

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by GWN7

Just fill it with enough guns & ammo that it is too heavy to move.

This.

[javadog]

Use a wedge anchor. Get on McMaster Carr's web site and specify the length you need and order accordingly. If you want to do it in one step without moving the safe, buy some washers so you can enlarge the holes in the safe bottom big enough to insert the anchors through the holes.

Make sure you get the holes really cleaned out before inserting the anchors.

JR

[oilcan]

Just returned from my sons home. He has 2 gun safes.
Your answer is to buy such a large safe, as his, that couldn't be moved by 2 or 3 strong men.
His are such that they will not be moved, unless professionally. Buy Big.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by oilcan

Just returned from my sons home. He has 2 gun safes.
Your answer is to buy such a large safe, as his, that couldn't be moved by 2 or 3 strong men.
His are such that they will not be moved, unless professionally. Buy Big.

Any safe small enough to fit through my doors, can easily be moved by one man and an appliance dolly...jmo.

I have one..... But if a pro wants the contents....it's all over but the insurance settlement...YMMV.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by javadog

Use a wedge anchor. Get on McMaster Carr's web site and specify the length you need and order accordingly. If you want to do it in one step without moving the safe, buy some washers so you can enlarge the holes in the safe bottom big enough to insert the anchors through the holes.

Make sure you get the holes really cleaned out before inserting the anchors.

JR

Yup, wedge is the way to go, make sure they aren't longer than your concrete is thick and drill much deeper than their length, put the washer and nut at the very top of the threads, hammer it down tight and then tighten the nut down. If you try to drill the exact depth and set them, you'll most likely have a bunch of thread sticking up.

[1990C4S]

If you just want it 'bolted' use tapcons. There are some pretty large tapcons available now.

If you want it held securely wedge anchors or fiber anchors are good.

Chemical anchors are probably strongest.

[HardDrive]

It really about slowing people down. I really should bolt mine down, but I know for a fact that the slab is only 4 inches of concrete, with no rebar. Sledge hammer could break away the concrete around the safe in short order.

[vash]

i just kinda want to stop the meth addict knuckleheads..

my luck they try to tip the thing over and it falls on them and they sue my ass. i just want to keep it down so they cant scooch it up so they cant wedge a dollie underneath.


i can get into a safe and i am no safe cracker..i would use a portable bandsaw and cut off the hinge side/corner.