i’m looking for a reliable safe to store documents and valuables. been doing some research, and it feels like most of them are easily broken into. anyone know a good brand that’s tough to crack? fireproof would be a big plus too. every time i find one that looks good, i see a video of someone breaking into it in under 20 minutes.
for something serious, look for a TL-rated safe, like TL-15. these have thick walls and are tested against break-ins. if you bolt it down and pair it with a camera or motion detector, you’ll have solid security. it’s pricey, but worth it. on the cheaper end, sturdy safes are decent, not TL-rated but better than most. really depends on what you’re protecting—if it’s cash in the thousands, consider TL-rated; if not, a sturdy safe or Fort Knox might be enough.
@Gabriella
totally agree. fire safes and most gun safes don’t stand up to basic power tools. for anything more secure, TL rating is the way to go. for storing valuables, TL-rated safes with hardened walls make a big difference in resistance to break-ins.
@Gabriella
any idea where to buy a TL-rated safe? i doubt stores like costco have them.
Erin said:
@Gabriella
any idea where to buy a TL-rated safe? i doubt stores like costco have them.
yeah, costco and sam’s don’t really carry high-end safes. you can get sturdy safes directly from their site (call for discounts). for TL-rated, try deansafe.com or check craigslist for used ones. a TL-15 from dean’s weighs around 2500 lbs, while regular safes from big stores are much lighter.
@Gabriella
hey, if you’re around, would you go for a TL-30 or is TL-15 good enough if i’m aiming under 3k?
Rory said:
@Gabriella
hey, if you’re around, would you go for a TL-30 or is TL-15 good enough if i’m aiming under 3k?
either one is solid. it depends on the size you need. check the biggest TL-30 and TL-15 under $3k and see which fits your space and needs better. TL-30 is more secure but TL-15 isn’t far behind.
@Gabriella
thanks for the advice! your answer actually came up in my google search!
@Gabriella
i got a sturdy safe for my firearms and added a sentrysafe inside for documents. thinking of upgrading to something like an amsec BFII next.
@Gabriella
i’ve got a sturdy gun safe; it’s tougher than my dad’s liberty, but it’s not TL-rated. there’s a limit to what i can spend, though. industrial-grade safes get pricey fast.
Juliet said:
@Gabriella
i’ve got a sturdy gun safe; it’s tougher than my dad’s liberty, but it’s not TL-rated. there’s a limit to what i can spend, though. industrial-grade safes get pricey fast.
yep, same here. my sturdy weighs over 1000 lbs, while a TL-15 that’s smaller is way heavier. you’ve gotta draw the line somewhere, and adding layers of security can be as good as upgrading to a TL-rated safe depending on what you’re storing.
@Gabriella
heard from a locksmith that some cheap safes can be opened with just a magnet, and i’ve seen keypads get hacked. do they still make fully mechanical safes?
Rafael said:
@Gabriella
heard from a locksmith that some cheap safes can be opened with just a magnet, and i’ve seen keypads get hacked. do they still make fully mechanical safes?
if you want easy access, go for an S&G electronic lock. for more security, stick with an S&G mechanical dial. yes, a cheap safe can be broken into with just a magnet sometimes. look up lockpicking lawyer videos—it’s surprising how weak some safes can be.
@Gabriella
prefer no electronics myself, they often have backdoors. currently eyeing old-school safes in the $1-1.5k range.
you might want to look into sereneLife locking storage bins. they’re portable and good for storing important documents or keeping medicine safe from kids. decent option for keeping things secure.
most safes can be defeated by an angle grinder. best approach is to add layers around it to limit the time someone has to mess with it.
amsec, sun welding, and vault pro make solid plate steel safes. hamilton safes are great but pricey—more for high-security settings. just remember, even the best safes are rated by how long they can withstand break-ins with tools. so, knowing what level of security you need is key.
@EduAdvocateElla
second this. got an amsec bf2 at a discount because of the color. really happy with it, great safe.
go for a TL-30 if you want serious security—make sure it’s bolted down. safes under 800 lbs can be lifted right out by a couple of determined people.
depends who you’re worried about. for regular thieves, a heavy mounted safe is enough. if you’re concerned about expert safe crackers, you may need something more secure.