Moving a safe...how much weight can stairs support?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Moving a safe...how much weight can stairs support?

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:04:21 PM EDT

My GF thinks I'm going to die moving a 650lbs safe in the basement. She envisions the safe breaking the stairs both us crahing down and then the safe killing me.

How likely is this to happen? How much weight can stairs support?

Thanks

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Posted: 7/23/2010 4:05:28 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
My GF thinks I'm going to die moving a 650lbs safe in the basement. She envisions the safe breaking the stairs both us crahing down and then the safe killing me.

How likely is this to happen? How much weight can stairs support?

Thanks

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Depens on how they were constructed.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:05:54 PM EDT

[#2]

how did u get it up there? stairs?

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:06:28 PM EDT

[#3]

Only someone with a tenth grade education and a stick welder can know for sure.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:06:56 PM EDT

[#4]

Let's see some pics of your GF and we can give you a good estimate.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:07:03 PM EDT

[#5]

It depends on the stairs but they can usually hold a pretty good bit of weight. I've seen crappy mobile home steps support four large men carrying a 650lb patient.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:07:18 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Only someone with a tenth grade education and a stick welder can know for sure.

Stairs are wood.

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Posted: 7/23/2010 4:08:11 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
My GF thinks I'm going to die moving a 650lbs safe in the basement. She envisions the safe breaking the stairs both us crahing down and then the safe killing me.

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I don't know the answer, but I would look at it this way: Could the stairs support two 325 lb. people walking down each step at the same time? It's not exactly the same because they're distributing the weight better, but you get the idea.

My vote is you'll be fine (I think

).

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:08:14 PM EDT

[#8]

I think she wants the insurance money.

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Posted: 7/23/2010 4:08:45 PM EDT

[#9]

I put a 500lb safe and four guys averaging 225 on a set of stairs. That's 1400lbs. Was that a good idea? Probably not but they held.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:09:30 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Let's see some pics of your GF and we can give you a good estimate.

Thats what I was thinking.

650lbs is what 2 heavy 6s?

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:10:47 PM EDT

[#11]

Put a brace underneath them if the only thing holding them up is the connection to the floor, or at least put some hangers on the stringers, you aren't going to break the stringers if they're built halfway decent to begin with. If they're attached to walls on both sides they'll be fine.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:10:53 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Only someone with a tenth grade education and a stick welder can know for sure.

Stairs are wood.

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Are the stringers 2"x 12"?

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:12:37 PM EDT

[#13]

I will post a pic of said stairs and gf when we get back from eating and the trip to lowes.

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Posted: 7/23/2010 4:14:31 PM EDT

[#14]

Make a 1" thick plywood ramp on the stairs, wrap the safe with tow straps and hook it up to a wench that is bolted to the basement floor. Lay the safe down on a couple of skate boards and use a few pulleys and you'll be good to go.

Oh and get it on video.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:14:36 PM EDT

[#15]

I used to move safes for a living. Stairs are a bitch! We had a dolly that would climb stairs. Your gonna hurt yourself.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:14:54 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Only someone with a tenth grade education and a stick welder can know for sure.

I disagree I believe they need 14,000 hours of intensive instruction from MIT.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:15:28 PM EDT

[#17]

Dragged a 1/2 ton Safe up my stairs using an old U-haul hand truck with v-belts on rollers
up 15 carpeted stairs, Blood. sweat and tears later it was in place.
The dirty old belts really f'd the carpet up.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:16:03 PM EDT

[#18]

I'm renting a power dolly....at least that is the current plan.

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Posted: 7/23/2010 4:17:49 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Only someone with a tenth grade education and a stick welder can know for sure.

I disagree I believe they need 14,000 hours of intensive instruction from MIT.

LMAO. At least someone gets it.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:19:15 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I put a 500lb safe and four guys averaging 225 on a set of stairs. That's 1400lbs. Was that a good idea? Probably not but they held.

Ditto, you'll be fine. I'd suggest a dolly with balloon tires. They help absorb some of the impact with each drop.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:50:44 PM EDT

[#21]

It really depends on the stairs. If the stair structure is visible, post a pic please.

Building codes change, carpenters may not know them, and defects occur.

Look at it this way: it may not be likely to fail, but the results WILL be catastrophic if it does.

The fix if needed is often $20 worth of temporary lumber which can be saved for the move-out.

Posted: 7/23/2010 4:56:24 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Make a 1" thick plywood ramp on the stairs, wrap the safe with tow straps and hook it up to a wench that is bolted to the basement floor. Lay the safe down on a couple of skate boards and use a few pulleys and you'll be good to go.

Oh and get it on video.

Kinky. Very kinky.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:08:56 PM EDT

[#23]

Read on the construction of the safe. I moved a safe weighing 600lbs to the second floor of a very old house. Read later you could just lift the door off and cut the weight in half. Would have been a lot easier.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:12:23 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Make a 1" thick plywood ramp on the stairs, wrap the safe with tow straps and hook it up to a wench that is bolted to the basement floor. Lay the safe down on a couple of skate boards and use a few pulleys and you'll be good to go.

Oh and get it on video.

Kinky. Very kinky.

You get a double reduction if you run the lines from nipple ring to pulley to nipple ring to pulley to safe..

But I'm guessing that that kind of kink is costly.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:18:07 PM EDT

[#25]

It might kill you for other reasons, but I doubt the stairs will collapse. Not if they're in good condition.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:35:13 PM EDT

[#26]

Seems to me that using a few 12 ft 2x4's laid on the stairs and then the save laid on the 2x4's and they using straps or rit wopes to pull it up the stairs. Also as another poster pointed out if the door can be removed it will be easier. Also make sure it's empty. I know, I know but some don't.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:36:52 PM EDT

[#27]

Man, GD is slipping on priorities.

Dibs on guns.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:38:08 PM EDT

[#28]

If my family can move Steinway grands up and down stairs, you can move your safe. Its all in the construction quality and moving techniques and equipment.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:38:43 PM EDT

[#29]

how are the treads supported: routed, cleats or notched to the stringers?

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:41:45 PM EDT

[#30]

650 is only one-and-a-half mothers in law. Stairs should be fine.

Posted: 7/23/2010 5:51:50 PM EDT

[#31]

I'm just gonna tag this for the outcome.

My advice is NOT to let your GF help you. Get a couple of friends.

Posted: 7/23/2010 6:23:08 PM EDT

[#32]

Here's how to remove the safe door –– instructions start at ~2:30 on this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhOjWHbD6M

Posted: 7/23/2010 7:17:27 PM EDT

[#33]

Sorry guys, no pics tonight. I didn't have a decent camera there and cell's flash is a joke in that low light. GF put the smack down on the pics as well so they are a bust as well. I think I royally pissed her off about that one. Awh the joys of moving and relationships.

I'm not sure of the construction of the stairs except that the stringers are only supported at the floor at at the top. I will check about the rest tomorrow.

Thanks

Posted: 7/23/2010 7:21:01 PM EDT

[#34]

Dunno... but if it were my safe, I would ask the MIL to push from the bottom while I pulled from above.

Posted: 7/23/2010 7:25:04 PM EDT

[#35]

I moved a 800lb safe up crappy apartment stairs.. you should be OK.

And i don't own a "gonna die".

Posted: 7/23/2010 7:27:45 PM EDT

[#36]

We need pics of GF to determine if this is safe or not.

The size of her boobs is directly proportional to how the well the stairs were constructed.

Posted: 7/23/2010 7:35:45 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

Make a 1" thick plywood ramp on the stairs, wrap the safe with tow straps and hook it up to a wench that is bolted to the basement floor. Lay the safe down on a couple of skate boards and use a few pulleys and you'll be good to go.

Oh and get it on video.

I went up stairs,600 pound safe.With cardboard to help it slide up the carpeted stairs.Laid it on it's back,2 guys up on landing pulling on a keeper tow strap and me and my brother inlaw pushing from the bottom.Surprisingly once we got it moving it went right up with no problems.Depending how strong the stairs are a ramp would spread out the weight.4 guys sliding it down should be no problem,no little wusses,real men

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Moving a safe...how much weight can stairs support?

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