Bolting gun safe to concrete floor?

[Martinjmpr]

Seeking advice here: I've actually done this before (bolted the gun safe to a concrete floor) but it's been over 10 years so I'm trying to remember how to bolt the gun safe to the concrete floor. I found concrete anchors, I think the 3/8" anchors are the correct size for most safes, right? The 3/8" bolt requires a 1/2" drill bit which is the biggest one I have.

Gun safe is a Liberty Fat Boy Junior, if that matters. I know it has 4 holes in the bottom of the safe to allow it to be bolted down

What I'm trying to remember is what I need BESIDES the concrete anchor? Isn't there another tool that's use to pound the anchor into the hole and then to expand the anchor? Or does putting the bolts in expand the anchor?

This is what I need, isn't it?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-3-8-in-x-1-5-8-in-Steel-Drop-In-Anchors-50-Pack-01891/100154222?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&gclid=Cj0KCQiAweaNBhDEARIsAJ5hwbfLyxJg0jqFGJ5GGbvL wAHo8m_Dy9cDGVYZHgwkQlwIPDeM-PRNBEoaAtr-EALw_wcB

Thanks in advance!

[00tec]

For most types of anchors, you drill hole, pound in anchor with hammer, then tightening the bolt expands and sets the anchor.

Put a rubber mat or something between the floor and the safe to keep it from rusting. Cheap yoga mats work

[battlemidget]

Get metal shims so you can level the safe while bolting, and ensure the door is 'light' throughout the full swing of the door while you shim it.

Colorado Safes distributes Liberty. I've dealt with their Colorado Springs location and was very happy with the sale and service.

[BPTactical]

Instead of a Yoga mat go to Tractor Supply and use a 1/2” horse stall mat. Cut it about 1/2” larger than the footprint of the safe.
It will keep it above water short of a catastrophic leak plus if somebody wants to try and pry it up they can’t get any leverage- the rubber just deforms.

You can use the drop ins, they work or you can use Red Heads or Tapcons.
Any will work usually, you just need to keep somebody from tipping it.

[00tec]

Get something like these


Red Head 3/8 in. x 3 in. Hex-Head Sleeve Anchors (15-Pack)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-3-8-in-x-3-in-Hex-Head-Sleeve-Anchors-15-Pack-11013/100025194
SKU# 100025194

[00tec]

Instead of a Yoga mat go to Tractor Supply and use a 1/2” horse stall mat. Cut it about 1/2” larger than the footprint of the safe.
It will keep it above water short of a catastrophic leak plus if somebody wants to try and pry it up they can’t get any leverage- the rubber just deforms.

You can use the drop ins, they work or you can use Red Heads or Tapcons.
Any will work usually, you just need to keep somebody from tipping it.

Horse stall mat would definitely do it. We used what we found within 3ft of the safe in our situation. Just happened to be there, and was better than a kick in the nuts

[Wulf202]

Seeking advice here: I've actually done this before (bolted the gun safe to a concrete floor) but it's been over 10 years so I'm trying to remember how to bolt the gun safe to the concrete floor. I found concrete anchors, I think the 3/8" anchors are the correct size for most safes, right? The 3/8" bolt requires a 1/2" drill bit which is the biggest one I have.

Gun safe is a Liberty Fat Boy Junior, if that matters. I know it has 4 holes in the bottom of the safe to allow it to be bolted down

What I'm trying to remember is what I need BESIDES the concrete anchor? Isn't there another tool that's use to pound the anchor into the hole and then to expand the anchor? Or does putting the bolts in expand the anchor?

This is what I need, isn't it?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-3-8-in-x-1-5-8-in-Steel-Drop-In-Anchors-50-Pack-01891/100154222?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&gclid=Cj0KCQiAweaNBhDEARIsAJ5hwbfLyxJg0jqFGJ5GGbvL wAHo8m_Dy9cDGVYZHgwkQlwIPDeM-PRNBEoaAtr-EALw_wcB

Thanks in advance!

Those anchors have a pin in the center. You drill a hole into but not thru the slab. Drop in the anchor. Then use a pin punch or center punch and hit the pin inside the anchor to flare it. Then install the correct length bolts

[colorider]

Use the Red-Head anchors. They are easy and very good.

[Martinjmpr]

Thanks for the input. After posting this I went back to the safe and found an envelope with the original bolting instructions. I was smart enough to leave an empty package of the anchors in the envelope so I would know which ones to get - 3/8" is indeed the correct size.

The one thing the instructions said was that there was a drift included with the safe, but I couldn't find it. It must have ended up in a toolbox somewhere.

Can someone post a picture of what the drift punch looks like? I'm sure I have one but I have tools in multiple places so it would help to know what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

[Wulf202]

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200779683_200779683?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Hand%20Tools%20%3E%20Chisel%20%26%20Pun ch%20%2B%20Stamp%20Kits&utm_campaign=Proto&utm_content=95730&cmpid=53403384&agid=3200075895&tgtid=pla-4577335629420231&prdid=95730&msclkid=742cdfaa65141811e5f4be113b2a684d&gclid=742cdfaa65141811e5f4be113b2a684d&gclsrc=3p.ds

It's a tapered pin punch. You can use anything that wont mar the threads though. I've gotten rather creative on job sites when osha's not around

The red head one is a collared pin punch. They have it at home depot but it's a waste in your situation

[beast556]

Wulf202 is correct, use any punch to set the pin. Just be carfull not to damage the threads.

[asystejs]

Hockey pucks work well to set the safe on.
Keeps it off the concrete and allows air flow underneath.
You can drill a hole in the puck to put the bolt thru if you want.
Put the bolt thru a slightly larger piece of pipe to make it more difficult to saw the bolts.

[00tec]

Hockey pucks work well to set the safe on.
Keeps it off the concrete and allows air flow underneath.
You can drill a hole in the puck to put the bolt thru if you want.
Put the bolt thru a slightly larger piece of pipe to make it more difficult to saw the bolts.

And provides plenty of room for someone to insert a prybar.

[mtnhigh]

Yes, I'd be careful using the pucks. It also allows a safe moving dolly to slide easily into place. I'd worry the jack on the dolly would just pull the anchor out of the concrete.

[Walker2970]

these are what i have always used
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-3-8-in-Solid-Drop-In-Anchor-Setting-Tool-07499/202501769

[bczandm]

My insurance company required that I mount the safe on blocks 3" high to keep it off the floor. They said it reduced claims (damage, losses from water) by 90%.

[Wulf202]

Yes, I'd be careful using the pucks. It also allows a safe moving dolly to slide easily into place. I'd worry the jack on the dolly would just pull the anchor out of the concrete.

That wont happen but it will support the safe nicely while the bolts are cut.

Having said that most criminals who have that amount of time and skill will be able to get it open in place.

The air gap will allow things like springs or lo5os rounds to hide under the safe.

You can also get a stick of trex decking, cut it in quarters, screw two of them together to get 3" of clearance. It will obscure the bolts better than hockey pucks.

Having dealt with a family member who had a small water heater leak next to their floor mounted safe, I'm a believer in having that gap. Not to mention having worked hundreds of household floods at work.