What do you all do to keep your stuff from being heisted from your "shops".

I've got the standard rolling tool chest, but I'm talkin about welders and bigger tools and such.

Right now I've got a Lincoln MIG on a cart that any a-hole could just walk off with if properly motivated, and I have a Hobart stick on the way.

Time to secure my shiznit. :eek:

The garage its all in would require alot of work to make it secure, so I'm thinking more along the lines of securing my stuff to the big ass carts "permanently" and or building some sort of big ass cage, to rol lthe carts into and lock it up.
I think I can actually get materials to build a cage from work, for nothing since they are gonna be tossed eventually.

SO...what do you all do...looking for bright ideas...as they are few and far between from me.
Oh and save the "you live in MAine it cant be that much of a problem" lines.
This house has been busted into before, and now it's alarmed, but I still wouldnt trust even that...I know I can get around that shite...so someone else could. :flipoff2:

Thanks

MJ

Wen I took autobody at the local adult ed years ago that's exactly how they secured all the welders, torches, etc. Big cage you wheeled the tools into when the class was over.

Either that or put some heavy eyebolts into the wall/floor and chain everything down each night.

If you go the cage route don't just use chain link fencing, get some good steel mesh and weld everything togeather.

Many,many years ago I had my welder,grinder and my drills ripped off from my Garage at home... my very first project with my new welder was to build a big tool chest that is bolted to the floor (and the bolt heads were subsequently welded to the chest)
The way I see it, if I lock up the tools they will likely be there when I need to remove this thing from the shop.
Also I built the lock chest with no handles.... again with the tools I can do this later....

The Cage Idea is good, or have some giant U locks locking your carts to your box with no way of getting the welder or whatnot working to cut the U lock. Also, some type of alarm or motion sensing siren would ward off people. Just think about how YOU would steal it, and what would make it not worth it. It doesn't have to be bulletproof, just hold out for long enough to make it not worth the trouble and risk to the thief.

Loaded guns and light sleepers! :D Or maybe get some big dogs and let them sleep in the shop at night?

Yeah the chain and eye bolt thing occured to me....

I can get a good quality cage from work I think, and bolt it to the floor with conrete anchors, and weld the sob together....

I was tinkering with the idea of welding my welders to thier carts (they are big metal carts) but you could still roll em down th estreet I guess. ;)
:D

Yeah I have five mobile "automatic motion sensors" that are pretty good at that job, but guarding the stuff they fall short.
Someday a Rotwieller will be in order.

I dunno, I've got the little stuff locked away, and the bigger stuff just needs to be made inconvienient I guess.

Given enough time, anything I do could be overcome I guess.

Keep the ideas coming...CRO, any pics or better descritions of the "cabinet' you made?

Just curious what you made it out of, how big it is, etc.... thanks.

MJ

Originally posted by schuss
The Cage Idea is good, or have some giant U locks locking your carts to your box with no way of getting the welder or whatnot working to cut the U lock. Also, some type of alarm or motion sensing siren would ward off people. Just think about how YOU would steal it, and what would make it not worth it. It doesn't have to be bulletproof, just hold out for long enough to make it not worth the trouble and risk to the thief.

I don't worry at night...enough of us are armed around here that only the real morons try that shit. And they are usually so dumb they dont even know whats what.

Its when I'm working during the day...I have neighbors that are around but who knows if they pay attention...I come home at random times during the day when I can just hoping I catch someone...that would be EXCELLENT...i'm itchin to give out a beating. :D

MJ

put your welding cart wheels on quick disconnects (like hood pins), then take the wheels with you whenever you go inside. :flipoff2:

Originally posted by schuss
put your welding cart wheels on quick disconnects (like hood pins), then take the wheels with you whenever you go inside. :flipoff2:

:flipoff2: :rolleyes:

This might seem obvious, but if you do the cage idea make sure all the cutting tools (torches, saws, grinders, etc.) go in the cage. Guess what happens to your nice shiny lock if you don't?

what, upset that I made sense for once? :flipoff2:

If someone wanted to steal it, you could have a grand old time sitting and watching them try to drag it to your truck. Thats how my friend kept his trailer from being stolen. Just unbolted a wheel and put it on a jackstand on that side. You'd be suprised at how effective it is. You could also weld a chain that is anchored to the floor onto your cart so it can go anywhere in the shop, but not out of it.

Toolbox on a leash, great idea untill you trip over the chain the first time!:D

i have a 10k chain through my tool boxes and my lincoln welder i put all my grinders and drills in a locked box also chained together .the only bad thing is it takes me an hour just to start a project unlocking and getting everything i need . I run my own company out of my house so i worry about the same thing all the time.if that fails i have a 90 lbs Lab that loves strangers:flipoff2:

Mrs. Spinney,

?work?

Just put your computer in the garage, your shit will never get stolen.

:flipoff2:

I keep a 120lbs rot in my garage and a loaded 9mm in the house. I dont have any problems with theifs after I shot the first one. :smokin:

heres how i see it my garage is a one car and i don't have much just hand tools and the like but if you build a cage or bolt things up that means every night the shop has to be picked up which can be good but me i am usally in the middle so my tools get left where they lie. for me i photo copy the receipt and take pictures of the big stuff, and the small stuff is logged in my computer, yes every wrench, socket, and screwdriver, then i take a copy and file it away and the copy i made goes to my dad's (400 miles away and locked in a fire proof safe) you see when sit gets stolen i just call the insurance company my policy is a 100% at todays cost replacement value. and it is a standard as in no extra charge. the logging of hand tools is long and tedious but once it's in then every new tool you buy put it in and your set.:D

Given enough Time, any secrurity measure can be beaten.
If you can make a cage, great, but make the walls solid, so you can't tell what is it there. If you don't know whats in it, then there is less likely it will be broken into. Why would someone lock it up so good, must have $$$ in there. Not sure.
If you are going to lock it with a Pad lock, Make a guard around it, so you can't take a grinder, cutter, bar, or hammer to it. Any lock, the big U-style, can be cut with a grinder in less then a minute.
The latest issue of Fire Engineering has an article from FDNY, about breaking into stores & building, the ones with the secure rollup doors. Pretty much, If you need to get in, Its just a matter of time.
I have signs that read "Caution - Bad Dog" , "No Trespassing" they do more than any locks. Plus the five dogs I have, the littlest being the noisiest. For people that really want a noisy warning, get a goose or geese. those things wont shut up.
I'm going to re-do my garage(car hole) doors. Your best bet is to make it harder to get in, the longer it takes for someone outside, to more likely a neighbor will see what going on.
:beer:

Originally posted by ScoutDork
Caution - Bad Dog
Yes? :rasta:

Originally posted by ironpig70
for me i photo copy the receipt and take pictures of the big stuff, and the small stuff is logged in my computer, yes every wrench, socket, and screwdriver, then i take a copy and file it away and the copy i made goes to my dad's (400 miles away and locked in a fire proof safe) you see when sit gets stolen i just call the insurance company my policy is a 100% at todays cost replacement value. and it is a standard as in no extra charge. the logging of hand tools is long and tedious but once it's in then every new tool you buy put it in and your set.:D

Video tape everything.
Open every drawer. Show every screw driver. The bottom line is they will get it if they want it bad enough. It is important to have a good record of your stuff when it comes time to making a claim. It is sad to say this but.....INS....INS....INS. Everything gets replaced new.

Best lock in the world
http://security.masterlock.com/images/color_img/6270wkey.jpg

then add the special hasp
http://security.masterlock.com/images/color_img/770.jpg

And you get this
http://security.masterlock.com/images/hsl_hidden_image.jpg

Price for both under $60

Can't cut or grind what you can't get to!:D

Originally posted by ForestCam
Best lock in the world
http://security.masterlock.com/images/color_img/6270wkey.jpg

then add the special hasp
http://security.masterlock.com/images/color_img/770.jpg

And you get this
http://security.masterlock.com/images/hsl_hidden_image.jpg

Price for both under $60

Can't cut or grind what you can't get to!:D


5 minutes top to break that lock in two:flipoff2: first see bolt heads well i would grab my 5 gallon tank of freon and super freze them then hit them with a cold chise:D yeah it's noisy but middle of the day while your at work:D

Fat lotta good that'd do 'cause I'd have the fawker welded on! Ta hell with bolts!:flipoff2:

Pssssst, freon's sold by the pound not gallon and if I were venting it I'd be more worried about the EPA the n the cops catching me.
$100,000 minimum fine on intentional venting of HCFC's! :eek:

Build a cage.. Pound a ground rod into the ground (after drilling through the cement). Plug a stick welder into the 220 and attatch the ground to the grounding rod, and the lead to the door of the cage near the handle in plain view. Hide a electric fan behind the welder or undernieth to give the elusion that the bad boy is on. Put a simple lock on the door of the cage. I have a feeling, anyone capable enough to steal something as large as a welder in broad daylight would not be dumb enough to fawk with the cage...
Shaggy

Hey, just bring you shiat to TFM HQ

We will take good care of it.

Would give you an excuse to get away from the "woman"

:flipoff2:

MJ, you getting a Hobart Stick? Cool!!!!! :flipoff2:

Just install some anchors in the garage slab and chain everything up. Also, turn off the breaker to the garage when your not working (then they can't plug in the grinder to cut the chain). You could always move North..... :D

all of the above are good ideas.... im partial to a sign that reads:

Theifs:

I sleep here 3 nights a week, you guess which 3



Hunter

If you have it, don't advertise it - your just teasing a junkie with his next score. If you keep tools and equipment under tarps, old bedsheets and what ever, it helps --- keep eyes off. If you can limit access to people entering the shop are in the first place, your a long way ahead.

Absoloutely foolproof idea:

Put sign on door that reads:

"Mike and Jenny, the big black cobra got loose again, animal control is on the way, Paul got bitten and went into shock - I'm rushing him to hospital...go over to Aunt Suzies and wait there....Love, Mom"

Would you fawk with it??

People are totally shit scared of snakes, and you can't just lob in a poisoned steak like you can with a Rottie etc.