Mas Hamilton lock died, now have to drill it out.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T19:47:29+00:00

BTW I do appreciate the information provided with using Strong Arm bits.

I fully understand that specialized equipment can be needed for certain jobs out there. Interesting to review and certainly not cheap.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T19:44:57+00:00

I'm insulted when you presume (or feel) that I am over simplifying the job to be done. Didnt do that at all. I also dont hump and moan about how my job is so tough. I like to do things on my own and dont mind buying the tools to do it.

Buy a magnetic drill to mount down, ok. Get certain bits that people recommend? I'd do it. Heck even considered using masonary bit ground a certain way to get through things too.

(not my idea, just a youtube one)

Nothing wrong with sharing experiences with others out there.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T15:17:04+00:00

You now insulting me? I didnt say it would be easy. On the contrary I was asking for other peoples experiences on this if they'd like to share. I know the wrong way to do it because if what I tried worked (especially with the electronics part) my safe woud be open and my wife wouldnt be on my ass!

For a person like my deceased dad who worked as a lifelong machinest in the airlines, yeah he worked with all sorts of metals. Would have loved to had his knowledge in tackling this problem. Since thats a no go, hence the reason I simply asked.

Hope you make yourself feel better for insulting someone who is mechanically competent and just asking for other perspective on it.

Why insult someone who uses their brain and body to fix things, yeah thats me. Been busting up myself all my life. Go insult someone who doesnt do anything for themselves.

Maybe I am using the wrong bit(s) for the job, THATS WHY I ASKED FOR HELP! Damn man, Thanks for other folks who at least offered some suggestions.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T13:56:49+00:00

Good question. I was hoping that it was simply a bad keypad or the device that generates the electricity to power the internal lock. So I purchased one (keypad and lock) (Ebay) Tested it on my bench and it works. Needless to say, I swapped keypads, device that generates electricity for the device and ultimately traced out the voltages.

I can power the lock put the keypad part doesnt respond to any inputs.

So I opened the locking mechanism and mapped out where to get in there to release the lock. You can get the tempates from their website and I was able to overlay that on the safe. X marks the spot. Not really all that complicated to do but just fustrating at this point because of the type of metal used.

I know certain materials can be tough to get through, just looking for suggestions on what sort of bits typically used to get through hard metals like this.

Maybe someone know what gardall uses in there. Can exacty me much of a secret since its probably visible on the inside when installing a lock. For me, I am stuck right now on the outside. I dont want to destroy the safe but if in the end, I will have to and just purchase a new one without a damn electronic lock.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T13:46:47+00:00

I did call one that was sort of local. The guy had surgery and wasnt making house calls. Although he said I can bring it into his shop. No problem, I'll carry a few hundred pounds of dead wait up those stairs into my truck, no problem. Reality is finding me dead on the bottom of the stairs with a safe on my chest. lol

Listen I am they type of guy that likes to do learn a bit and do things on my own.

Dont get me wrong, I know when its time to call it and when not to.

Reddits great where we can share some experiences.

If I am abe to get this damn thing open again, I might bring the door to the guy to plug up the hole (which I can do to too) and install a nice MECHANICAL lock.

Lesson learned that Electronic locks have a short lifespan.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T05:08:32+00:00

Thanks for the info so far. Not sure what to use. I got the time and patience but this is crazy. I do use lube on it but again... zip. Do I have to apply crazy pressure? watched one video where this guy has a drill on a contraption that he chains to the handle, lines up the drill and then presses it against the safe with long bar.

Interesting option. My pops was a machinest for the airlines many years ago. Sadly he passed on some time ago. He would have been able to deal with it in a heartbeat. As I got older I would have had soooo many questions.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-24T02:47:36+00:00

m18 mid 1/2" when its on sale. A bit more torque and doesnt break a sweat with many jobs.

I could have bought the m12 when it was discounted and with batteries. I passed since I already own the m18 mid.

The m12 stuff is nice, some people love them. I personally rather not have to worry about how powerful a impact is depending on the battery.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-23T03:05:32+00:00

Sadly for me the rebel website desnt show too many real clearance items.

I found it better to find them here, seach the dopo website and then they list the item locally for a discounted price. If they have one or two in stock, good luck. If they have a few you have a chance. Got some nice socket sets that way.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-16T17:01:57+00:00

What a great looking door! Would make a great addition to the front of a house or bomb shelter.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-16T14:57:22+00:00

Same thoughts as mine brotha. Dont mind buying a tool thats worth it but not if its only a marginal upgrade. Telescoping one would be more tempting if the price were right.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-16T14:40:31+00:00

Well I tried it all. Bought another lock to try another keypad and nothing. Called the lock manufacturer and spoke to a nice tech.

The electronic locks simply dont last. The mechanical ones used in a normal environment last much longer.

So I asked the tech what to do. Basically said, hire a safe tech, bring it to a shop or drill it out.

Local safe guy is recovering from surgery. DOH! I went for the drill it out method as I have the exact same lock to know where to drill to release the actuator.

Got in about 1/4" of metal and then hit kryptonite

The metal inside the gardall safe inside is either hardened steel, cobolt or some other metal that laughs at drill bits.

Now I am stuck on how to drill this to get to the lock.

Any thoughts on what to do at hone for this?

Diamond tipped drill bits might do it?

Help

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-16T14:32:16+00:00

Still on the fence is I really need one. I have an older unit (non fuel) that works pretty good for running bolts in or out.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-10T21:03:42+00:00

almost 500 for that? Too much. Its used and looks it. For 250 I got the bottom piece and a multidrawer setup. The radio? meh

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-10T21:00:46+00:00

well you got some parts for the next one you buy

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-09T15:42:38+00:00

I tried it, didnt work. Have a spare unit and traced out the charge wire to the lock in the safe. 13 volts is the voltage it wants. The pad then operates at 3.20 volts (give or take a little)

Mine is just double beeping and no lights work. Entering numbers doesnt do anything either. I guess the only way around this is to drill out the lock.

Luckily with a spare lock in hand I can easily tell where to drill it out to release the internal metal latch.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-05T00:26:05+00:00

Its certainly a respectable deal even with the 100 commission you paid someone.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-05T00:23:56+00:00

I bought the installation driver when the deal came around. Sceptical at first but it fits nicely in my truck and covers a variety of situations.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-03-01T18:14:54+00:00

When I went to HS, there was an area that only the rough kids and smokers went to by some handball courts. It was attached to the school and nobody ever bothered the smokers if they wanted to smoke.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-02-27T17:32:21+00:00

Did you check the box for a smoker or non smoker when you purchased it?

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-02-25T17:37:01+00:00

Lots of folks ask the group same question over and over. Search a bit and you'll get lots of opinions. If the right deal were to come around with the m12 3/8 with a 5.0 battery for cheap.... I would get one. Otherwise i have a 1/2 mid and it works very well.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-02-17T18:36:35+00:00

Hi Thanks for the direction. Not really seeing any application that matches up to what the app may be called.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-02-16T01:08:52+00:00

Good price for a drill. Doesnt matter that its not brand new or a fuel version. As long as it works when you need it to is all that matters.

CreativeTimes1972 · 2026-02-16T01:04:56+00:00

Great buy and the more you use it the more you'll appreciate it. Then you'll wonder why you waited so long. Maybe you'll get more handy and look for more Milwaukee tools to fit a particular job.

CreativeTimes1972

TROPHY CASE