In the Netherlands we had a famous safe cracker that used the Thermal lance to open safes in the 1970’s. A lot about him can be found in Dutch, like this item ‘My nights with a thermal lance‘.
People often wonder if modern safes still can be cracked with a thermal lance. And how it is done.
We shot some video at a demonstration. Using the melting tip (that can heat up to 3500 degrees) the welder manages to open the safe with the content still intact. This may look simple but it is only due to craftsmanship he manages to succeed. He also has the advantage of working outside in an open space. If he would try the same in a closed office building it will for sure get very messy with the fumes and smoke. Still pretty impressive.