Best coin boxes

[William]

We've all read the posts about the ESD coin boxes. In your opinion, which coin boxes are the most secure?

[pete f]

The style of box I like best is the Greenwald ultra guard box with the Abloy key. As secure as I have seen. Not that a crowbar can't get one out, but even that takes some time. Years ago someone spent 3 hours on getting one out of a SQ toploader, he ended up taking the whole top assembly box with the timer and everything. Got him on video and arrested, but never got reimbursed for the parts..The Ultra guard box will make most look for a less secure one, like the ESD tubular style lock.

[Ken]

I have ESD,Greenwell,Monarch coin boxes,they are about same quality,most keys are ok but I will not get ACE or ACE II's round key.They are very easy to pick.
If I am going to buy new box,I will buy Monarch because if I need more boxes,they will find or build the same key alike box for me later.I like to keep most my machines,keys the same.ESD and Greenwell will not do that.

[RobertDed]

I own a small 4-plex and have one each washer and dryer by Whirlpool. The keys tto the coin boxes and service door were stolen from my car. I was lucky not to have the building address on the keys or anything that was taken. My problem is that I can not open the coin box to remove the money. Like an idiot, I did not copy down the key code. I contacted a repair company and they wanted $600.00 to drill open the two boxes. That is more money than I collect in 6 months. I have the machines as a service for the tenants (all older and retired) and not as a profit source.

Is there a way to obtain the key code for the boxes (Greenwald Vertical 8) and a key code or a key for the service door. I need to make this an inexpensive as possible. I would hate to have to remove the machines from service.

[daddy4ever]

I have used a hack saw for the lock on the service door. I haven't had to do a coin box yet. I would start with drilling. That is what our locksmith has recommended before in the past. Use a center punch. Good Luck.

[Ronald]

Monarch with tri-gard key is what i have.

[RobertDed]

I own a small building with 4 units and as a courtesy to the tenants, I have one washer and one dryer both made by Whirlpool. My car was broken into and both the keys to the coin boxes and to the service doors were stolen. Like an idiot, I never copied the key code.....it never occurred to me that I may need it. I checked with one of the very few appliance repair people that work on these units in the area and was quoted a price of $600.00 to drill out the locks on the two units. That is more than 6 or 7 months of income from these units. My tenants are all elderly and retired and I really don't want to remove the units all together.

Is there another way of opening the boxes or obtaining keys both for the box and the service door. Is drilling out the locks the only remedy? If they need to be drilled out, is this something that I can do myself. These are Greenwald boxes on Whirlpool Machines. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[KJD]

I have never had to drill one out but do a search on lock drilling. There are a lot of posts from people that have had to do it. I'm sure you could buy a good drill bit and new locks and keys for about a hundred dollars.
The service door keys you could probably get with no trouble.

[cointech]

We use to have this posted but coinwash was asked to take it down.

Think about what you're asking????

A how to book --- hmmmmmmm

Drill it and next time make copies

and because of this you would remove all the units from these elderly and retired people hmmmmmm

Sorry it's not your tenants fault it's yours.

-Sorry Jonathan this is just wrong.

[Ronald]

I own a small building with 4 units and as a courtesy to the tenants, I have one washer and one dryer both made by Whirlpool. My car was broken into and both the keys to the coin boxes and to the service doors were stolen. Like an idiot, I never copied the key code.....it never occurred to me that I may need it. I checked with one of the very few appliance repair people that work on these units in the area and was quoted a price of $600.00 to drill out the locks on the two units. That is more than 6 or 7 months of income from these units. My tenants are all elderly and retired and I really don't want to remove the units all together.

Is there another way of opening the boxes or obtaining keys both for the box and the service door. Is drilling out the locks the only remedy? If they need to be drilled out, is this something that I can do myself. These are Greenwald boxes on Whirlpool Machines. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated

Contact Monarch and if you can prove to them who you are and that you own machines they will help you get in the boxes and then send conwash.com $55.00 to be come a Premium member.. Welcome to the board..

[William]

Drill one out, read the key code, order a new key.

I think the problem is the first quote you got is way too high. Call a locksmith. I drilled one myself ONCE, never again. I nearly broke a finger when the drill torqued and smashed my hand on the machine. It also took about 30 minutes. Not quick and easy.

Locksmith will charge about $100.

[Monarch]

It isn't SUPPPOSED to be easy!! Unfortunately it sometimes is if the thief doesn't care how much damage they do ( and they don't!)

I will not post how to get into the boxes on an open forum. ANd there are variables to consider, such as what lock, what box and such. BUt call me and we can discuss some alternatives.

As to quality of the boxes? It really is six of one and half a dozen of the others. Greenwald, ESD and Monarch boxes are essentially the same design and materials. The only exception is our Jewel Boxes. All other are stamped and hardened steel faces, steel lock support plate and steel locking arms.

Take a moment to look at the notes we have posted on http://www.monarchcoin.com/laundry-support-security.asp

AND ALWAYS - ALWAYS have spare keys kept in a safe spot off premises! Also make record of your key codes with what machines they go to and where they came from, and keep that safe as well.

NEVER EVER GET DOWN TO JUST ONE KEY!! Some keys are not replaceable at all. Some are but may take up to FOUR MONTHS (no joke!) to get. THese are Not your house keys!! Other than tubular locks, no locksmith has access to blanks for any of the laundry keys.

ANd so on and so on. Call us for advice on the matter. If you go to the editorials and then to,

"Martins Muddled Meanderings"
http://coinwash.com/wp/?cat=15&paged=6
you will find more information there and on the page after it.

Look forward to help those who need it!!

Norman

[Monarch]

I Have Updated The Info Mentioned Above

[jmchenry4]

Hi. I'm new to the boards, but my opinion is Monarch makes quality boxes.

Everyone has there preference, but here is my view.

I mostly work with ESD and Greenwald. And, I'll say by and large they are a good product. However, I worked in a coin laundry where there is a mix of Maytag and some Dexter machines. All equipment is about 10-12 years old. Every box in the place has rust and some take a combination of lube/and fine fist adjustment to get out.

I go to the Dexter machines with the Monarch boxes and they do not have any rust and come out like the day they were put in the machines.

If I was buying it would be Monarch.

[Monarch]

Thank you for the kind words, jmchenry4.

But I must be honest. The rust/corrosion issue is not so much a function of our design over GI or ESD. We all use galvanized trays, with chromated steel parts.

The issue is more a factor of the machines design. Maytags are notorious for corroding the boxes. other machines vary according to their design as well.

The problem is more with washers than dryers.

Here is what happens. As laundry is being washed, steam/water vapor rises through the machine. THis also often has the fumes from the bleach used to do the clothes. Bleach is cholorine, a very reactive substance (that is why it works!) so it is corrosive. combined with the water vapor and the heat, it will corrode ANY BOX!!

We do use a galvanized tray where the coating is "microspangled", that is, unlike looking at galvanized heating duct, you do not see the individual crystals of the zinc that coats the steel. The crystals are very very small. THis enhances its resistance to corrosion.

So I am pleased that you like our products, but in this case the praise goes to Dexter, and the boo's go to Maytag or whoever. See more about boxes on the editorial page.

Thanks Again!!
Norman

[jmchenry4]

Very interesting. I see what you are saying and it makes sense. When I read your reply it reminded me when I was working on a 35# front load washer at a school that does marine training.

They had the washer near the pool where they did the training and it was very warm during the summer. This machine had so much corrosion that I had to chisel parts off of it and drill out screws. It wasn't pretty. However, their dryer was in another building and it was much easier to work with. These were OPL machines so no coin boxes, but the temperature, chlorine, and proximity to the pool make sense.

So if you are getting a lot of white washes with clorox in a coin laundry it is basically the same thing.

So, I'll revise my earlier post. If I was buying it would be Dexter with Monarch boxes. LOL.