Large security cabinet, can it be repurposed for gun safe?

[WillaminaOR]

This thing has got to be six feet tall, four feet wide, and about two feet deep. Heavier gauge material than most gun safes. I'd need to figure out locking it as the latching bars were removed. Question is, since there are no gaskets or lining material am I going to have moisture problems? Or, what measures do I have to take to control moisture? I'd be thinking of installing this in a finished room in my shop which also probably presents climate control / moisture problems. Just looking for people's experience and some brain storming.

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[ZA_Survivalist]

There will be rust and moisture built up in the folded tube portions. Looks as if this was kept outside?

It certainly would not hold the place of a safe, but it could make for a decent cabinet.
Something to prevent ease of access, but anyone with an angle grinder, pry bar or hammer could quickly get in.

If it's in a place like a closet or garage you can build a wood frame around it adding sheet metal for extra durability and sort of enclose it. I had a client I saw do that. You'd probably want to refinish the inside and outside as there looks to be quite a bit of signs of moisture (rust and mold/moss?) on it.
I've stored items in rusty containers.. seem to spread to the mags I kept in there.. so I'm not a fan.

 

[Stomper]

I would use something like that for "more secure" storage of 2A accoutrements like magazines, ammo, reloading stuff, etc.

But only after a complete sandblasting, dunking in evapo-rust, then refinished with a high quality paint or powder coat.

 

[deadeye]

By the time I explain what you would need to do to make that a viable fire resistant type gun safe and adding up the cost, you may as well go to Tractor supplies site and see what's in stock in Monmouth.


The best use would be for ammo, accessories, etc.after cleaning, rust treating, painting, lining with sheetrock using const. adhesive and adding a goldenrod after adding a locking mechanism or at least a closure of sorts.

 

[WillaminaOR]

Looks as if this was kept outside?

Something to prevent ease of access, but anyone with an angle grinder, pry bar or hammer could quickly get in.

I've stored items in rusty containers.. seem to spread to the mags I kept in there.. so I'm not a fan.

Its been outside for about 9-10 years so I'm rather surprised at the finish quality. There's very little rust if you were to see it in person.

Again, in person this is much heavier material than your typical gun safe. I've seen videos of people breaching gun safes with an axe. They're is no way this is going to be opened like that. Even an angle grinder and a cutoff wheel is going to have a hard time. This was a secure lockup cabinet for high value materials at a Radio Shack.

As for storing items in rusty containers and it seems to spread, that's info I was asking for. It'd be nice to know if there is some reasoning behind this, so I could prevent it?

I would use something like that for "more secure" storage of 2A accoutrements like magazines, ammo, reloading stuff, etc.

But only after a complete sandblasting, dunking in evapo-rust, then refinished with a high quality paint or powder coat.

There would be plenty of room for storing the extra items too which is why I'm looking into this project.

I think there is less rust than just grime. I think a good pressure washing and some paint touch up with something like zero rust would have me back in usable order. I'd only worry about it rusting further if it were still going to be outside. Is there background experience that leads you to suggest such extreme measures?

By the time I explain what you would need to do to make that a viable fire resistant type gun safe and adding up the cost, you may as well go to Tractor supplies site and see what's in stock in Monmouth.


The best use would be for ammo, accessories, etc.after cleaning, rust treating, painting, lining with sheetrock using const. adhesive and adding a goldenrod after adding a locking mechanism or at least a closure of sorts.

I never mentioned fire resistance. It would be a nice thing but from what I've seen if I wanted something this size that's fire resistant and fairly burglary proof I'd probably be in the 5 digit price range.

What would the lining with sheetrock accomplish? I know what a goldenrod is supposed to accomplish, but I don't know how it works? How much moisture can it deal with? The locking mechanism would definitely be the question, I don't know if I should take it to a metal fab shop and have them repair the locking bars? Or have some sort of locking mechanism welded on the outside?

Thanks for the suggestions so far,
Bryan

 

[Stomper]

Its been outside for about 9-10 years so I'm rather surprised at the finish quality. There's very little rust if you were to see it in person.

Again, in person this is much heavier material than your typical gun safe. I've seen videos of people breaching gun safes with an axe. They're is no way this is going to be opened like that. Even an angle grinder and a cutoff wheel is going to have a hard time. This was a secure lockup cabinet for high value materials at a Radio Shack.

As for storing items in rusty containers and it seems to spread, that's info I was asking for. It'd be nice to know if there is some reasoning behind this, so I could prevent it?


There would be plenty of room for storing the extra items too which is why I'm looking into this project.

I think there is less rust than just grime. I think a good pressure washing and some paint touch up with something like zero rust would have me back in usable order. I'd only worry about it rusting further if it were still going to be outside. Is there background experience that leads you to suggest such extreme measures?




I never mentioned fire resistance. It would be a nice thing but from what I've seen if I wanted something this size that's fire resistant and fairly burglary proof I'd probably be in the 5 digit price range.

What would the lining with sheetrock accomplish? I know what a goldenrod is supposed to accomplish, but I don't know how it works? How much moisture can it deal with? The locking mechanism would definitely be the question, I don't know if I should take it to a metal fab shop and have them repair the locking bars? Or have some sort of locking mechanism welded on the outside?

Thanks for the suggestions so far,
Bryan

Just going off the posted photos, my only stated concern would be further rust corrosion, and having that "infect" whatever I would happen to place in there, hence my prior thoughts of thorough rust mitigation.

 

[dangerranger60]

I have used several electrical cabinets as secure storage. They are great for locked storage but are not a safe. the doors are not recessed to prevent prying, and the locking bars are not that strong. But for locking up ammo, gun parts, powder, etc... they work just fine. They keep the grandkids from going through my stuff or picking through my ammo stash. DR