After helping a friend and fellow member install a tactical walls sliding mirror, my wheels began turning, thinking about how I can replicate the tactical walls idea but utilize an in-wall safe which would be much more secure than the magnetic catch they use. Having a newborn, the safety aspect was front of mind.
I opted to use a Stack On in-wall safe (LINK) with digital keypad and backup key. I’ll spare you some of the details but through their failure to ship me a single cosmetically undamaged safe, I identified some mechanical weaknesses with these safes, upgraded them and am now happy with them. I particularly like the solid 3/16” steel plate door which is recessed in the frame making a quick pry attack more difficult. Of course someone with time and determination is going to get it, is it just a $300 steel box after all.
Where I decided to install the safe unfortunately has 24” studs and this safe requires 16”, so I had to frame out the opening. I also ended up having to re-run some electrical and add 2 junction boxes which made this a much longer project.
FYI no that closet organizer hack job was not me, that was the previous homeowner.
After getting the framing and electrical done, I installed the safe and threw on my sliding mirror mock up which I made from pine to save a few bucks in case I messed up. Thankfully it fit and functioned perfectly.
I sourced the mirror glass, had to get/make a couple new tools to make the job more feasible for my small garage workshop, bought my poplar stock, did some testing of stains, then got to building my first one. I’ll be building a couple more for friends now that I have the design and assembly process down.
It came out very good! I used all poplar wood, full extension ball bearing drawer slides, hickory gel stain, and 3 coats of polyurethane.
The safe fits an 870, AR, a pistol, and some mags with ease. 2 long guns is the max but there is plenty of space for more mags, pistols, lights, or other small valuables.
Sorry the pics aren’t the greatest and I couldn’t find an angle that didn’t show more of the room than the wife would like, so you’ll have to deal with my “iPhone MS paint” haha.
I opted to use a Stack On in-wall safe (LINK) with digital keypad and backup key. I’ll spare you some of the details but through their failure to ship me a single cosmetically undamaged safe, I identified some mechanical weaknesses with these safes, upgraded them and am now happy with them. I particularly like the solid 3/16” steel plate door which is recessed in the frame making a quick pry attack more difficult. Of course someone with time and determination is going to get it, is it just a $300 steel box after all.
Where I decided to install the safe unfortunately has 24” studs and this safe requires 16”, so I had to frame out the opening. I also ended up having to re-run some electrical and add 2 junction boxes which made this a much longer project.
FYI no that closet organizer hack job was not me, that was the previous homeowner.
After getting the framing and electrical done, I installed the safe and threw on my sliding mirror mock up which I made from pine to save a few bucks in case I messed up. Thankfully it fit and functioned perfectly.
I sourced the mirror glass, had to get/make a couple new tools to make the job more feasible for my small garage workshop, bought my poplar stock, did some testing of stains, then got to building my first one. I’ll be building a couple more for friends now that I have the design and assembly process down.
It came out very good! I used all poplar wood, full extension ball bearing drawer slides, hickory gel stain, and 3 coats of polyurethane.
The safe fits an 870, AR, a pistol, and some mags with ease. 2 long guns is the max but there is plenty of space for more mags, pistols, lights, or other small valuables.
Sorry the pics aren’t the greatest and I couldn’t find an angle that didn’t show more of the room than the wife would like, so you’ll have to deal with my “iPhone MS paint” haha.
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