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Hammertime 
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:23 pm)
Been thinking about doing it for a while, and since I stopped getting ridiculously drunk on the weekends, I figured I might give it a go Saturday.
Was planning on putting it between two rafters/joists, and really just building a vertical box and using a jig saw and felt to make the actual gun holders. Don't need any storage for ammo or CLIPS because I just leave them on the dinner table.
Should I put it between the joists only, laying horizontally to conceal it better? I can throw some 70yr old insulation to kind of disguise it that way, or throw a piece of plywood over it. My reasoning behind that question was that I was just gonna use a little dinky lockable latch to secure it. Dunno if I should make it more concealed. No idea if burglars look for stuff in the attic.
Also, I am not too worried about mold since the attic is vented really well. What about heat in the summer and cold in the winter? How would that affect gun storage?
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wickowick
LSU Fan
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
12907 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:25 pm to Hammertime)
The heat of the summer might mess up the gun, especially the wood. Dry it out and crack it...
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tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
1311 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:27 pm to Hammertime)
I would think they would be safe up there in a Christmas tree box, if they can withstand the elements (I'm curious to know).
My dad used to put his inside the A/C intake, behind the filter, before he got his safe.
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skuter
LSU Fan
Ascension Sticks
Member since Jan 2005
1858 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:27 pm to Hammertime)
I wouldn't put it in attic due to humidity and temp changes. Someone posted a link to a site that had some sort of box that mounted between wall studs a while back. Then there was some sort of door or mirror that covered and hid it.
This post was edited on 2/19 at 4:29 pm
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:34 pm to skuter)
The humidity really isn't bad at all. There is enough circulation that 70yr old untreated boards aren't molded, and the attic is pretty darn well ventilated
Kind of sketchy on the temperature swings though. Like I said, the insulation is 70yrs old and doesn't do much at all, so I figured the attic wouldn't get too cold in winter
Just renting the house, and will probably be in it for 3 more years, so a temp solution seems good. I just hate having them scattered throughout the house in random spots. I don't even know what guns are here sometimes
Eta: I don't want to be the innovator for this. All of my guns are important to me, so I don't want to screw anything up
This post was edited on 2/19 at 4:37 pm
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prostyleoffensetime 
Arkansas Fan
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2009
5035 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:36 pm to skuter)
quote:
I wouldn't put it in attic due to humidity and temp changes. Someone posted a link to a site that had some sort of box that mounted between wall studs a while back. Then there was some sort of door or mirror that covered and hid it.
I saw that on Pinterest a couple weeks ago. Pretty solid idea.
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pooponsaban
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2008
7359 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:36 pm to Hammertime)
So you just want to hide them from potential burglars?
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:38 pm to pooponsaban)
Yup, and have one spot that I can do it in. They have sat in the attic for 6 months before under insulation, but were in the cases
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KingRanch
LSU Fan
The Ranch
Member since Mar 2012
31053 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:40 pm to Hammertime)
I wouldn't do that, on the off chance your house burns down. Not to mention temperature changes in the attic.
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spacewrangler 
Alabama Fan
Easy Chair with my boots on
Member since Sep 2009
3917 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:41 pm to Hammertime)
I would not store my guns in any area that can not be climate controlled to some extent. I keep my gun safe in my attached garage and have used a dehumidifying rode inside the safe at times but not for the last few years. I live in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores and have had no problems with rust when I have not used the dehumidifyer, TIFWIW.
I think the extreme temperature fluctations in the attic would be risky and I wouldn't keep mine in my attic. Not sure if you could get a temperature gauge that would monitier the area and give you detailed reports with time, temp, humidity and etc. That way you could track and be able to determine if there is a risk. Good Luck
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:47 pm to spacewrangler)
quote:
Not sure if you could get a temperature gauge that would monitier the area and give you detailed reports with time, temp, humidity and etc.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I just saw a bunch of wood in my shed the other day and figured I'd use it for something. Not trying do be daddy war bucks over here
So yall think I should just cut a hole in the wall?
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LSUBrad5277
LSU Fan
North Louisiana
Member since Jan 2011
8297 posts
 Online
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:57 pm to Hammertime)
Uncle and grandfather had a homemade floor safe and cut out back wall in closet at my grandmothers. Uncle died in 75 and grandfather in 83.
When my grandmother died in 2008 i found 7 guns hidden in her house. Some never fired.
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fishfighter
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2008
11229 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 4:59 pm to Hammertime)
quote:
So yall think I should just cut a hole in the wall?
Yes.
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:10 pm to fishfighter)
FML, I am gonna have to go buy a hammer now. I don't even know how I would cover that up. I guess it could be a 2ft by 15" hole and put a picture over it?
Building one in the attic would've taken 2 hours tops. Might just leave these SOBs sitting right where they are at least
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LSUBrad5277
LSU Fan
North Louisiana
Member since Jan 2011
8297 posts
Online
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:24 pm to Hammertime)
Jigsaw, cut out a 3-4 ft by 2-3 ft hole between two studs in the back of your closet.
Put hinges on the inside and attach the the piece cut out. Attach a button activated lock or a number keypad lock.
Hang clothes in front of your door. When you need in push the button or type in your number.
Cost will be less than $100.
Its to hid them from the random burglar who is going to grab and go not to hid them from leo's or atf.
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:31 pm to LSUBrad5277)
Aight, I guess I am gonna have to start poking around to find a suitable spot. There are other walls on the back side of my walls
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wickowick
LSU Fan
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
12907 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:33 pm to Hammertime)
quote:
There are other walls on the back side of my walls
Huh?
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Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:43 pm to wickowick)
Obviously that went over your head 
What I meant is the there is sheet rock or something else behind all of my walls. I would have to build a box inside of the studs
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shawnlsu
LSU Fan
Member since Nov 2011
3941 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:55 pm to Hammertime)
quote:
There are other walls on the back side of my walls
OBpoor, your walls share walls with other walls
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wickowick
LSU Fan
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
12907 posts
| re: Building gun safe in my attic (Posted on 2/19/13 at 5:56 pm to Hammertime)
Get us some pics... Any walk in closets?
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