Basic DIY questions?

[Boudicca]

This has been sitting on the wall outside my house, no-one has the code for it and I would really like it gone as it makes looks like doddery old folk live here.

Any ideas on how to get it off without bringing the wall down?

 

[prunus]

This has been sitting on the wall outside my house, no-one has the code for it and I would really like it gone as it makes looks like doddery old folk live here.

Any ideas on how to get it off without bringing the wall down?

View attachment 449697

You'll likely have to get into it to remove it cleanly, the bolts holding it to the wall will probably be accessible from within the cavity.

Ok yes checking the product info for that safe, you'll need to unlock it to unscrew it from the wall. You'll also need a T30 (Torx, hexagonal star shape) screwdriver bit.

There are only 4096 possible combinations (each digit can only be used once in a code) so shouldn't take you long to get it open Good luck


e2a: helpful info (maybe): Supra C500 Pro KeySafe™

 

[spitfire]

You're going to end up with screw holes anyway so it might be possible to jemmy it off the wall.

A key safe's strength is in not being able to get into them rather than them being unremovable.

 

[spitfire]

* obligatory angle grinder suggestion *

 

[spitfire]

I found this but it's 11 minutes long so I gave up after 60 seconds, may be of use.

 

[prunus]

You're going to end up with screw holes anyway so it might be possible to jemmy it off the wall.

A key safe's strength is in not being able to get into them rather than them being unremovable.

If it's been properly affixed that might result in rather more than screw holes

Checking the documentation it looks like the code can be anything from 1 to all 12 of the letters/numbers (plus indeed none of them, if their claim of 4096 codes is true).

You can knock off the single digit only codes quickly enough, plus the 'all on' and 'all off' ones, and the ones where it's all but one. Then it starts getting tedious:

N	combinations
0​	1​
1​	12​
2​	66​
3​	220​
4​	495​
5​	792​
6​	924​
7​	792​
8​	495​
9​	220​
10​	66​
11​	12​
12​	1​

 

[Silas Loom]

Someone has the code for it. They just need to be tracked down and bullied into finding it. And when they do, you have a key safe, which is handy.

 

[Saul Goodman]

* obligatory angle grinder suggestion *

View attachment 449699

Is the correct answer.

 

[cesare]

Someone has the code for it. They just need to be tracked down and bullied into finding it. And when they do, you have a key safe, which is handy.

Local social.services

 

[Boudicca]

Someone has the code for it. They just need to be tracked down and bullied into finding it. And when they do, you have a key safe, which is handy.

She died. I did check with the neighbours who probably did have it at some point, but no luck.

 

[Boudicca]

Local social.services

I'm not sure about that. She was quite well off and was of sound mind unit she died, so they might not have got involved.

Although her cleaner did try and get her to change her will and leave her the house, but that's another story.

 

[Boudicca]

* obligatory angle grinder suggestion *

View attachment 449699

I have considered the angle grinder, any excuse to use a power tool, but I think your suggestion of jemmy and brute force is probably the best one. I'll have a go tomorrow.

 

[Boudicca]

You'll likely have to get into it to remove it cleanly, the bolts holding it to the wall will probably be accessible from within the cavity.

Ok yes checking the product info for that safe, you'll need to unlock it to unscrew it from the wall. You'll also need a T30 (Torx, hexagonal star shape) screwdriver bit.

There are only 4096 possible combinations (each digit can only be used once in a code) so shouldn't take you long to get it open Good luck


e2a: helpful info (maybe): Supra C500 Pro KeySafe™

"The only way to gain access to the keysafe without a code or a forgotten code will be to contact a local locksmith who will have the expertise to be able to remove this safely from the wall for you.

Please do not attempt to forcefully remove the keysafe from the wall as these are secured using self-tapping masonry screws and this will cause damage to your brickwork."

This pisses me off, what 'expertise'? (Gets angle grinder out...)

 

[existentialist]

"The only way to gain access to the keysafe without a code or a forgotten code will be to contact a local locksmith who will have the expertise to be able to remove this safely from the wall for you.

Please do not attempt to forcefully remove the keysafe from the wall as these are secured using self-tapping masonry screws and this will cause damage to your brickwork."

This pisses me off, what 'expertise'? (Gets angle grinder out...)

TBF, if it's mounted into brick cladding or similar, you could end up with a pretty unsightly hole in the wall. It might just be me, but I'd be looking at the lock-picking options for these things - they're trivially easy to defeat with a bit of knowledge.

ETA: we found ourselves locked out of a church vestry which was secured by one of these things one time. I was able to get in using a torch, by checking which keytops looked the most worn. That probably depends on fairly high traffic, though.

 

[Epona]

I was able to get in using a torch, by checking which keytops looked the most worn.

Didn't have you down as a safe-breaker, but that's a great idea.

 

[Boudicca]

TBF, if it's mounted into brick cladding or similar, you could end up with a pretty unsightly hole in the wall. It might just be me, but I'd be looking at the lock-picking options for these things - they're trivially easy to defeat with a bit of knowledge.

ETA: we found ourselves locked out of a church vestry which was secured by one of these things one time. I was able to get in using a torch, by checking which keytops looked the most worn. That probably depends on fairly high traffic, though.

Having done a bit more research, I think the strategy is to angle grind the front bit off so that you can unscrew the screws.

 

[spitfire]

Having done a bit more research, I think the strategy is to angle grind the front bit off so that you can unscrew the screws.

Exactly that.

Stuff like this and bicycle locks are just designed to make it difficult or obvious that someone is trying to steal your shit. Not to stop them.

If you’re doing it in broad daylight on your own house it won’t take long.

Wear eye protection.

 

[danski]

Make sure you have your door keys and possibly some id on you when you do it!

 

[Chilli.s]

Having done a bit more research, I think the strategy is to angle grind the front bit off so that you can unscrew the screws.

Cover any glass or plastic for quite a wide area to avoid getting sparks of metal damage.

 

[teuchter]

Wear eye protection

And a costume like this, please.

 

[Boudicca]

I'm an old lady with a very honest looking face, they will just offer to help me.

I was lugging bags of clothes into the car the other day and a passerby stopped to ask if I wanted help.

 

[Boudicca]

Cover any glass or plastic for quite a wide area to avoid getting sparks of metal damage.

Good tip, thanks. I've just had all the windows replaced with shiny white plastic...

 

[StoneRoad]

I might also tell the local police, in case someone rings in for a burglary in progress,
But also have ID / proof of address just in case.

 

[Saul Goodman]

I might also tell the local police, in case someone rings in for a burglary in progress,
But also have ID / proof of address just in case.

Where's the fun in that?
For once I'm with teuchter.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

I found this but it's 11 minutes long so I gave up after 60 seconds, may be of use.

i skipped to the 'good' bit of that video ..... its a "suck-it-and-see" method. Try all the numbers 1 at a time and try twisting the open knob. If the catch goes a tiny bit further on one number (and it looks like the slide move 1/5 of a mm further on a correct number) then thats one in the bag and you go on .... Could be worth a try (guy in video did it in 11 mins....) . Would be good to get the spare key out if it was in there. Wouldnt like to throw that away.

I like the angle grinder option myself ....

OR ...... drill 4 holes through the front to line up with the screws and unscrew without opening?

 

[Epona]

I might also tell the local police, in case someone rings in for a burglary in progress,
But also have ID / proof of address just in case.

Where do you live that the local plod might be remotely interested in you communicating something like this with them?
Trumpton?

 

[StoneRoad]

Where do you live that the local plod might be remotely interested in you communicating something like this with them?
Trumpton?

s'pose that depends on how well you get on with the local rozzers / those daft "community" PCSOs - assuming that there are any.

I live in a rural area, just outside the local village/small town. The local part-timer can be a waste of space, and it's about 20-25 mins to drive legally from where the "area" station. Actually closer to the county border !

 

[Epona]

s'pose that depends on how well you get on with the local rozzers / those daft "community" PCSOs - assuming that there are any.

I live in a rural area, just outside the local village/small town. The local part-timer can be a waste of space, and it's about 20-25 mins to drive legally from where the "area" station. Actually closer to the county border !

Trumpton then

 

[Elpenor]

It would be a 101 job, but probably not worth it if your neighbours know who you are

 

[teuchter]

Surely any misunderstandings could easily be avoided, simply by leaving the front door open whilst doing the work. It would be a very incompetent burglar attacking the key safe in such a scenario.