I help coach the collegiate pistol team at MIT, and they store their
firearms in a number of large safes they've obtained surplus over the
years. The biggest is a two door Meilink safe that is probably 40 or 50
years old. Unfortunately, the cast handle on the combination dial side
got bashed at some point, and the main lever broke off. There is just a
short stub left. It's useable but just barely.
I contacted Fireking, who owns Meilink now. They _think_ they have a
replacement handle that will fit. Before I order it, I wanted to see if
anyone had any warnings or words of wisdom on what might be involved in
replacing it. The inner labels mention a relocker. I've only recently
obtained a "clutch head" screwdriver to remove the inner dust cover
panel, so I haven't had a chance to look inside the door yet.
First, am I likely to have any issues with removing the inner door cover?
I assume not, but that is a good way to get myself into trouble. For
example, if it has a glass relocker, is it probably sturdy enough that I
don't have to be super cautious working inside the door? I haven't been
able to find any pictures that show if they are typically exposed on the
inside, if they are big enough to protect the entire door or just lock
area, etc.
Once I get the inner cover off, the handle presumably has a
square/splined/keyed shaft (or similar) that drives a cam to operate the
locking mechanism. There must be a nut/pin that prevents the handle from
being pulled out the front that will have to be removed. Does anyone
know how the cam is likely to be attached, and /or how the handle might
be removed & replaced? Should I bring a supply of big cotter pins to the
party?
Basically, I'm looking for anything odd I should watch out for. If
something goes wrong in the process and we can't relock the safe, we will
have a small fortune in target pistols we will have to find a secure home
for in a hurry. We get next to no finacial support from the university,
and hiring a pro is out of our budget. As it is, I will be buying the
handle out of pocket.
The alternative is for me to mill a pocket into a steel bar that can be
attached over the remaining stub. Not as elegant, not as interesting,
but much less risky.
Thanks!
Doug White
- posted
11 years ago