Storing your Cards in a Safe : Questions...
 

Let me ask those out there that store their cards in a safe, do you have a moisture/dampness humidity controller in your safe ? I know when safes are sold, they offer these to help protect precious goods inside. Was just curious what you guys thought of these, and if they are even necessary ? Would there be a potential to fire since these are plugged into an outlet and kept inside the safe ? Any thoughts out there and more importantly how do the Pro's store their most cherished items ? (Besides a Saftety deposit box at the bank) With or without this humidty control...

Thanks -I will hang up and listen

I use a small locking fireproof/waterproof Honeywell chest that cost about $25. I don't really have any room for a full sized safe and I usually stick to the 20-25 (or less) card collection so it works for me. The only disadvantage to its small size is that it wouldn't be too hard for a burglar to pick it up and walk off with it. Even though I keep it in a good hiding place I usually don't bother locking it because in the event someone broke in and found it I'd rather they be able to open it and think it's just someone's dumb baseball cards that aren't worth stealing as opposed to assuming it's full of cash and taking the whole thing.

I own a puma.

Safes don't attack the plumber, but ever home security device has its downside.

1200 lb jewelers safe
 

I have a 1200 lb jewelers safe where I keep stuff at home and a safe deposit box at Wells Fargo for the valuable stuff. Neither have any moisture controllers of any kind. Being in the south I can't imagine it being too much of an issue as long as they are stored carefully. About 95% of my valuable cards are graded/slabbed too. regards

I have a large Sentry waterproof/fire proof safe that I keep my collection in. I have had no issues at all with regard to moisture. Although, I have been thinking about a safe deposit box b/c my collection is growing. I am afraid I would miss the convenience of being able to look at my cards anytime I would like within the comfort of my home. Is it just me??

Yes, that part sucks. Good scans and a nearby bank where your safe deposit box is located help though.

However, my thought is that I'd rather have my expensive cards in a safe deposit box than at home. If they're at home, a person with a gun to the head of my wife or kids would be given the key to the city immediately. If they're not at home, they can open my safe and take everything there and I'm still moderately OK.

on line
 

I go visit my cards every once in a while :) at the safe deposit box, maybe 1-2 times a month. They are less than 3 miles from me so it's not too bad. Otherwise, I have the great majority of my collection on line so I can view it anytime. It's not as good as the rich smell of plastic in the morning (or was that napalm?) but it's ok. I even have about 100 cards on our album page(s) on this board. I go over there and look sometimes too.

On the moisture issue I can't recall anyone saying they have had a big problem with it, other than natural disasters, which are sort of obvious.

As an addition to this, where have you guys bought your safes from? I have been planning to rebuy one and with this mess I am in, well needless to say I will be doing something.

James G

safe safes
 

2 large safes at office along with alarm system. all cards are slabbed.
no problems.


best,
barry

Thanks for the comments...
 

Thanks for the comments... It appears no one has a moisture controller, except me. I have a 1,500 lb jewelers safe and have a moisture control in it, but not sure I need the moisture control. It is more for dampness/humidity as opposed to something getting wet. I was told that the dampness or lack of free air can create different humidity in the safe, thus possibly curling a raw card, etc.... Not sure I buy into that, but really wanted to know if anyone uses the moisture controllers... All this moisture controller looks like is a 12 inch stick with a wire running from it and plugged into the wall. Small hole drilled in back bottom of safe.... The stick is hot, and puts off heat to level the humidity in the safe. I think I am more concerned with this stick catching fire in my safe than it actually protecting the temp/humidity in the safe.... A lot of overthinking here, but really want to know if anyone has a legitimate reason why they would have a moisture control stick in their safe...

Thanks -

I wouldn't want anything hot near my cards.

Well, then that would rule out the states of Texas and Arizona. (A little chill here today. I don't think it got above 95.)

I bought all 3 of mine at Costco (made by Sentry w/ fireproof). They weigh about 250lbs each and they have a Key and electronic combo to get in (And also have another "drawer" inside where another key is needed to get in). They also come with hardware that you can bolt the safe right down to the floor from the INSIDE of the safe, so it would take a lot of time and noise to get the safe out of the house if anyone wanted to. The safes cost somewhere in the $250 range each.

I also have a 1000lb Harley Davidson vault (That i keep my guns/swords and other large valuables in). It was quite expensive though, i believe i paid about $2500 for it.

Unfortunately, I just encountered an immediate need to get a safe to protect some jewelry, etc., and am also currently looking to get a larger safe to protect even more items that will include some of my cards.

I thought about humidity as well, and rather than a dehumidifier I'm thinking about using dessicant packs, much like the packs that come in boxes of shoes, and some appliances, etc. Does anyone have experience using dessicant packs for this purpose?

safe
 

as a bit of a control experiment,some time back, i put them in one safe and not in the other---no difference in cards after a couple of years now.

my inclination is not to worry about replacing the dessicants from here on.

best,
barry

A high quality safe from a brand like Ft. Knox is a must for any significant collection. I'm not a fan of visiting my cards at a bank or somewhere else.

http://www.ftknox.com/redesign/safes/guardian.htm

For any decent sized safe I recommend a de-humidifier rod that plugs in and sits on the bottom of the safe. You can buy them online from many retailers. It heats up and causes the air to circulate inside.

http://www.ftknox.com/redesign/gun-s...idifier262.jpg

Moisture damage can't be reversed, so I don't take chances. These rods are cheap and you can just forget about the issue.

M's Fan...
 

The moisture rod is exactly what I have and while it gets a bit hot to the touch, it usually is mounted on 2 pieces of wood and is not touching the inner part of the safe. I don't worry about the rod being too hot and metling cards as some have suggested, but more worry about a short in the plug, a spark, etc causing a fire with this moisture rod inside the safe. Mold or Fire ? I can't win... Just kidding... Do banks provide air ciruclation in their bank deposit boxes ? Are they temp controlled ?

I have one of these
 

I have one of these mini dehumidifier's, and I love it. It can be left in the safe and doesn't get hot. It has an indicator that turns pink when it is time to recharge. Just plug it in for a few hours, and the light will turn blue, and your good to go.

Here is the link, I bought mine at a Cabela's store by my house:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0034792227686a

Thanks, Tony

I also used to have the majority of my collection stored in two of these Sentry
safes, although it currently lies safely in a safety deposit box. Some time ago,
I had gone a few months without opening up my collection and looking at it.
When I finally pulled them out to look at my cards, I noticed that the envelope
with my important documents (which was also in the safe) felt a little damp.
It also looked like some of the PSA flips had taken on a wrinkled look, although
they may have been that way from the beginning. The cards seemed unaffected.

I did some research and found that the fire retardant they use inside the
walls of these small safes can cause moisture buildup within the safe.
The solution was to store my cards in ziploc baggies. I just bought some
of the bigger gallon sized bags and double bagged stacks of 25 slabs or so.

I have a small safe for my cards, and I use "damprid" flakes purchased from Home Depot/Lowe's. I made a contraption that consists of two small plastic containers with a crack in the top container (holding the flakes) to let the moisture get into the bottom container.

Is storage in a safe dangerous for our beloved cards? I am not aware of any horror stories. However, I can tell you that the damprid flakes turn to mush and then water in 4-6 weeks or so.

Andrew

Thanks CW! I will err on the side of caution and put the slabs in zip locks!

-Mark

I'm not sure if zip locks alone are the best idea. I may worry about moisture building inside a ziplock bag. I would suggest maybe throwing in some small desicant baggies inside a ziplock and/or inside the safe as well. You can buy big bags of 100's of packets of these as well as bigger "rechargeable" ones. I would also use the hot-rod dehumidifiers as well in a large safe.

All of these moisture-control items are inexpensive, so I see no reason to be extra cautious and use them pretty liberally.

Chris
 

I have no experience with humidity controllers, however I have had a safe for years and see no reason why I need to get one as all my cards, paperwork etc.. are fine. What I do feel I need to mention is the quality of safes. I have a friend who works for a locksmith, they do repairs/installs and they sell safes and all sort of locking mechanisms. These guys actually play games and bet who can crack a safe the fastest at there shop. I have seen it and been told of amazing stories. Very few safes are "totally secure" and they cost a small fortune. I have been told never to buy safes from Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Cosco, Meiers, etc.. Spend the extra couple hundred bucks and buy from a locksmith as you will get what you pay for. I have seen a locksmith open a 250lbs. gun safe purchased from Lowes in 17 seconds with no tools.

I have plug-in dehumidifier (its about 4" x 6" x 2") that hangs in my gun-safe. Its been great thus far. When the desiccant on the inside is saturated I take it out, plug it into the wall, and in about 24 hours it ready to use again. Its good for about a month at a time.

Most of my collection has been moved to a couple safety deposit boxes however. When I go for a "visit" I pick up a bag of those disposable desiccant sacs and change them.

I'm looking for a way to store some autographed baseballs and was thinking about getting a waterproof/fireproof safe...

Good idea?
Bad idea?

I keep my cards in a 1000 pounds commercial safe. fire proof and burglary proof. I open the door each day or two and i never have any moisture problem and i have my safe since long time.

Ok, this would be for baseballs, and I probably wouldn't open it everyday, but could make a point to open it every few weeks if needed...

I look at my collection almost each days.... so the safe is open for arround 30 minutes each day....

sometime i will not open it for 2 or 3 days but it is verry rare :)

I really enjoy looking my colllection