Intermittent failures became noticeable over the past couple years, so I looked for replacement parts and of course nothing was an exact match. Since the safe was not my 'rapid-access' one, I didn't worry too much, but finally got locked out for over a week, with my laptop computer in it and some needed projects to work on that were only on my laptop computer.
So I spent the weekend re-doing the safe lockwork, not just installing a new electronic lock, but having to modify the internals to work with the new lock. Worrying about "what if I don't get done on time" because I only have the one 'big' safe and my other small one, so stuff would be unsecured if I didn't get it fixed.
Each time I'd test it before mounting the inner door facing, and it would work, but then I'd install that, do a final test before shutting the door, and then shut the door and work the combination......and......nothing...
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
Then I'd have to use my mechanical override, which is NOT a simple thing due to being concealed and in a different part of the house and still requiring a key and 20 minutes with various hand tools for access....and open everything back up again. Turns out the door innards were binding part of the mechanism. That might be what wore out the original one, actually.
Finally after six sessions with Mr. Dremel, and a dozen colorful language episodes, IT IS DONE....!
....and it WORKS.....!
Now back to the wood splitter......