Removing a Safe Door: Step-by-Step

Overview

To remove a safe door: open the door so that it's perpendicular to the safe, lift straight up from the base of the door, slide the door off of its pivots. 

Why Would You Want to Remove a Safe Door?

When moving a safe

Safes are large heavy objects, but nearly 1/3 of the weight of safe is contained within the door of the safe. You can make the moving a safe considerably easier if you remove the door to the safe, and then move the separate safe pieces (the body then the door.

For example, say you have a 300 lb save you'd like to move upstairs. 300 lbs with two people would be a difficult, but not impossible task. However, by removing the door first, two people could move the body up the stairs first, then the door. Separating these pieces will make the job not only easier but safer as well.

When repairing a safe

All the mechanical linkages and the lock itself (whether a dial or digital) are located within the door of the safe. If anything fails or you want changes made, normally a safe technician would need to come to you. This requires paying for a service call, which covers the technician's expenses in getting out to you.

But, if the safe door is open, you can remove the safe's door and take it to a locksmith shop to have the work done. This eliminates having to pay someone to come to you and saves you money. 

• You can bring you safe door into a locksmith shop to:
• Change the combination of a dial
• Upgrade from a dial to a digital lock
• Repairing something that is now sticking, wiggling, or just otherwise doesn't feelright
• Or regular maintenance to ensure the safe door performs flawlessly for years to come

How are Safe Doors Attached

Nearly every safe door of every safe manufacturer is attached the same way. A door hinge is constructed of two parts. The top half of the hinge is welded to the safe door, the bottom half of the hinge is welded to the safe body.

One half of the hinge will have a large pin. The other half of the hinge will have a mechanically bored hole that slides over this pin, and this is how the two halves are held together.

How the pins are set varies from brand to brand. In some cases, both pins are pointed up and secured to the body of the safe, in some cases both pins are pointed down and attached to the side that is welded on the safe, and in some cases there is one pin on the door and one on the frame. 

But in all cases, the door lifts up to be removed from the pins.

How to Remove the Door from a Small Safe

Removing the door of a small safe can be down by one person, so long as that person can safely lift the weight, but always exercise extreme caution.

Step 1: Have a piece of carpet, cardboard or some other soft place to set the door after removing in order to avoid scratching / scuffing the bottom of the door when it is set down.

Step 2: Open the door 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the safe body.

Step 3: Reach your arm over the door and grab the door from the bottom center

Step 4: Lift up from the center (this is best done from a kneeling position) to remove the door and set door aside.

How to Remove the Door from a Large Safe

Care must be taken! A large safe door can weight several hundred pounds. Unless you have a hoist or something to hold the weight, this is a 2-3 man job.

You'll find that a door can be easily removed. However, getting the door safely set or laid down can be very dangerous due to the safe door's weight. Also, putting the door back on can be difficult.

For safety reason, it is our recommendation that your hire a professional to remove safe doors over 100 lbs.

Equipment needed. Large pry bar with wheel, such as a Johnson bar capable of supporting the door weight, or a dolly. Alternatively, if there is clearance, a pallet jack can be used. You will may also need a short 2X4s. You will also want something that the door can be set or laid upon to prevent scratching such as a piece of carpet or cardboard.

Step 1: Gather your tools, 2 X 4 and cardboard/carpet to protect the safe door once removed.

Step 2: Open the door 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the safe body.

Step 3: If needed place 2 X 4s on top of the johnson bar, dolly or pallet jack to minimize any gap between you support and the base of the door.

Step 4: While 1 - 2 people hold the top of the safe door for balance, another person will pry up on the johnson bar to lift the door off the hinges. Or alternatively pry up with the dolly doing the same or pump up the pallet jack doing the same.

Step 5: Very carefully move the door to the location where it will be set aside. One person rolls, the others balance the door to keep it from falling. Extreme care must be taken to avoid injury.

Reinstall the Safe Door (if Necessary)

Reinstalling the door is a bit trickier since you must align the hole of the hinge to both pin simultaneously before lowering the door. 

Follow the steps in reverse order. Ensure that the door aligns correctly with the hinges and that the locking mechanism functions properly before securing the door permanently.

Q&A

Can you remove the door from a gun safe?

You can remove a gun safe door, but it is considerably more dangerous as a safe door can weight several hundred pounds. Extreme care must be taken to avoid injury.

How do you lift a heavy safe?

One of the best ways to lift a heavy safe is by first removing the safe's door. 1/3 of the total weight of a safe is the safe door. This will greatly reduce the overall weight so that you can move two lighter pieces rather than moving one very heavy safe.

Can you remove the door from a Cannon Safe?

You can remove the door from a Cannon safe using the steps outlined above.

Can you remove the door from a liberty safe?

You an remove the door from a Liberty safe using the steps outlined above.

Can you remove the door from an AMSEC safe?

You can remove the door from an AMSEC safe using the steps outlined above.