Union safes at Harbor Freight Tools

10198 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by jbays, May 4, 2018

PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · Apr 24, 2018

Harbor Freight Tools is one of my favorite places to shop. Every time I go I find something new to buy.

Recently, I bought a small safe (.37 cubic ft) made by Union Safe Company for $29.99 in which to store all of my ammo. I was able to cram more than 1,000 rounds of assorted calibers in it with room to spare:

http://www.harborfreight.com/037-cu-ft-Electronic-Safe-62979.html

The only negative is the loud beep it makes when entering a code (it can store two different codes).

They make larger ones all the way up a 59" high model that has 10 cubic feet of interior space.

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chefduane

· #2 · Apr 25, 2018

Nice find! On my way to my local HF on Wed to check this out.

chicagotrauma

· #3 · Apr 25, 2018

Harbor freight is awesome
Ty

Reactions: 1

53rdcard

· #4 · Apr 25, 2018

I'd test it before you buy it, i had to get a small safe for an apartment a few years ago, and had heard you can just hit the top of the front panel of the safe and those small ones will pop right open. the HF ones i tested back then, did in fact open with nothing more then a hit with a palm. Only one i found that didnt was one from academy. walmart, gander, bass pro, HF all had ones that opened super easy. The end of the 2nd video shows why

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88keys

· #5 · Apr 25, 2018

I have a similar little stack on safe that I couldn't get open. I was able to pick the key lock in under a minute then reset the code. So it's not a high deterrent safe, but good for some things. Hitting the top method never worked on mine, and since it's bolted down the pencil reset isn't a possibility.

Reactions: 1

jonrjen

· #6 · Apr 25, 2018 (Edited)

Let's be real about these little safes, they are not meant for total security protection of high value items. Most people don't even take the time to secure them in place, allowing them to simply be carried off in a second and beat open later.

They are good for light security of lesser valued items as well as firearms and ammunition from little curious eyes/hands and honest people.

You can improve their ability to secure your values by making sure to anchor the safe in a location that is out of plain sight. For example I have one that is secured both bottom and back to a shelf where it sets recessed back from the forward edge of the shelf. It has only a 2" clearance above the safe and the shelf above, so getting to the top of the safe is difficult at best. I also have something that I set in front of the safe to shield it from vision.

This location is also in a small closet where when the door is opened inward the safe is out of sight. The light to the closet is activated by the door being opened and closed. So when the door is opened the light does come on, but the door blocks the safe from line of vision. When the door is closed it's dark as night.

Is my set up perfect.......NO!! But, it serves the intended purpose I was looking for.

OH and as for Harbor Freight, let me just clear the air. My name is Jon and I am a Harbor Freight Junkie!!!
Why just this last Sunday I was spotted at a near buy HF teaching my 7 year old grandson how to get the better value at HF by utilizing the Free Coupon in conjunction with the 20% off coupon.

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glenwolde

· #7 · Apr 25, 2018

You need more ammo.

Reactions: 5

Fishinkeylargo

· #8 · Apr 25, 2018

On the cheap safes that open on a sharp impact adding two additional springs, one on each side of the solenoid will prevent the bang it open method. Also move the reset button to the inside of the plastic lock housing prevents it from being pushed to reset the combination. If you need to use the reset button simply open the housing and use it. I'm always saving springs from things I and finding two that worked was real easy.

Reactions: 4

olfarhors

· #9 · Apr 25, 2018

glenwolde said:
You need more ammo.

He-He-He, yea I was thinking to myself now at 1000 rounds of ammo per safe I would need about 8 safes, then another 3 -4 for the 22 ammo.
lets see now where can I add that new wall?
I am sure that works for some though.

Reactions: 4

ICUKev

· #10 · Apr 25, 2018

I love HF also and found all sorts of good stuff there. Instead of buying a safe for ammo, I went to a used office furniture store and got a good lockable file cabinet. You'll find to high quality ones on the cheap (paid $50 for a 2 drawer/french door Hon cabinet that new would be $300). Had separate keys for the different sections. I've loaded it with ammo, cleaning products and other gear. Will it stop a crowbar, no but it will stop easy access (kids, nosy family or wife wanting to know what came in from freedom munitions). Got real safe for guns as this is just for other stuff.

Reactions: 1

jonrjen

· #11 · Apr 25, 2018

olfarhors said:
He-He-He, yea I was thinking to myself now at 1000 rounds of ammo per safe I would need about 8 safes, then another 3 -4 for the 22 ammo.
lets see now where can I add that new wall?
I am sure that works for some though.

HaHaHa....LOL!!!! I get it, you're going to build a new wall using bricks. Bricks of ammunition!!! Am I correct?

Reactions: 1

chefduane

· #12 · Apr 25, 2018

So went to my local HF to check out the safe. Look good so I took it up to the counter. Apparently the 20% coupon (digital, in my case) does NOT apply to safes. She said a couple of other things too but certainly not to safes. It was marked at $36.99 so less the 20% would have put it right at $29.59. I said I'd buy it for the $29 price but not $36. No deal, so I put it back on the shelf and left. Oh well.

PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 26, 2018

That's not my only stash! I've got boxes stacked waist high in the linen closet. The ammo in the safe are just the ones I access when I need to have them handy.

BTW, I glued the cover to the key lock on my safe. If so some reason I cannot access it via the keypad, I'll cut off the cover.

Reactions: 1

PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 26, 2018

I neglected to mention that I joined their Inside Track Club (Buyer's club). For $29/yr, I've already recouped that in savings with all the stuff I bought since then. That same safe, plus others, are put on sale periodically. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a Cinco De Mayo sale.

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PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 26, 2018

Jon, I have mine set up the same way {Great minds think alike}

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PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 26, 2018 (Edited)

3

One more thing I got from HF: MAGNETS!!! They have several that are disk shaped, have a solid metal housing on the back side and a hole in the middle for fastening them to wherever. I use the large one to hold my PT111 and the medium one to hold an extra mag onto an undisclosed piece of furniture. But, I haven't figured out what to do with the decor hooks yet:

LARGE 81mm diameter (rated pull of 95 lbs)

MEDIUM 50mm diameter (rated pull of 25lbs)

Auto part Circle Metal

DECOR HOOKS (rated pull of 65lbs)

I also bought telescoping magnetic pick-up tool, a magnetic parts tray, an 18" magnetic tool bar and a small set of ten rare earth magnets. (Oh, and on my first trip to HF, I bought a 150 lb pull retrieving magnet).

Did I mention that, ever since I was 5 years old, I loved playing with magnets. Looks like I still do!

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olfarhors

· #17 · Apr 26, 2018

Mounting holes are just a big waste of time to me, with Duct Tape and Super Glue so cheap why drill or screw anything?
On a side note of caution though, be careful cause I have had to walk around with a beer bottle attached to my right hand for weeks at a time on occasion.

Reactions: 2

PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 27, 2018

I got a HF flier in the mail. Inside was a coupon for the safe I bought. It's on sale for $29.99. They'll have sale fliers at the store with the same coupons, so now's the time to go buy one.

Reactions: 1

PeterPocket

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 27, 2018

olfarhors said:
Mounting holes are just a big waste of time to me, with Duct Tape and Super Glue so cheap why drill or screw anything?
On a side note of caution though, be careful cause I have had to walk around with a beer bottle attached to my right hand for weeks at a time on occasion.

LOL!

Removing a loaded pistol help in place by a magnet is a tad easier than trying to rip duct tape off of it. Plus, I need to save the tape in case I have to tie up an intruder who decides to surrender instead of becoming Swiss cheese.

Reactions: 1

jonrjen

· #20 · Apr 27, 2018

PeterPocket said:
I got a HF flier in the mail. Inside was a coupon for the safe I bought. It's on sale for $29.99. They'll have sale fliers at the store with the same coupons, so now's the time to go buy one.

Was that flier for the "Inside Track Club" or a standard flier? If it is the "ITC", members usually get a bit of a deeper discounted price than the everyday Joe off of the street.

HF also will send out a flier or booklet that may contain the same exact item with duplicate posting at different prices. Gotta grab that coupon when price shopping HF for sure.

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