Garage Security

[Harry Gerrard]

I keep quite a few tools and other high priced items in my garage. Many of them locked in KNAACK chests, the more collectibles and not things I use on a daily basis. I have these chests locked, so if a thief broke in, they would have a hard time getting to them. I also have a oxy/acetylene torch in the garage. A smart thief might just fire up the torch, and cut right through the KNAACK chests. I could always lock up the torch heads, has anyone else considered this or have a slick solution? Telling me I cannot stop a thief isn't what I am looking for, I know that, I just want to make it as hard as possible for them and protect my investment.

 

[HAY YOU]

On construction sites some companies notch the box so they don’t have to remove the torch heads every day. Then the torch head is put in the box & closing the lid traps the torch from being pulled put. Use just enough clearance so the rubber doesn’t get pinched. Always turn off the bottles & bleed the lines before putting it away. Do the same things if your torch cart has a built in tool box below the handle.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I keep quite a few tools and other high priced items in my garage. Many of them locked in KNAACK chests, the more collectibles and not things I use on a daily basis. I have these chests locked, so if a thief broke in, they would have a hard time getting to them. I also have a oxy/acetylene torch in the garage. A smart thief might just fire up the torch, and cut right through the KNAACK chests. I could always lock up the torch heads, has anyone else considered this or have a slick solution? Telling me I cannot stop a thief isn't what I am looking for, I know that, I just want to make it as hard as possible for them and protect my investment.

A smart thief would know what you have in there before he rolls your place and would bring his own torch even if yours was locked up. Best advice is to keep under wraps what you have in there and avoid becoming a target in the first place. No random break-in is going to end with someone inside your KNAACK chests, those aren't the people you should be worried about. Worry about the people who know what you have, who they've told and how it gets eventually repeated to persons of ill repute. You'd be surprised how many folks get rolled this way.

To get at your original question on the torches, yes, I'd lock up the torch heads, especially if you don't use them all that often. Also might want to think about securing your rolling doors so they can't be opened, even from the inside, by the thief that gets into your home. Padlocks on both sides of the track are cheap and super effective for this. Takes seconds to get them off if you have the key, but it's a PITA to remove them with bolt cutters, given the limited room to maneuver. Slows people down and might keep your stuff from rolling out the door into someone's waiting flatbed trailer. A locked box won't do much good if someone can drive off with it and open it at their leisure somewhere else.

 

[Harry Gerrard]

Thanks, they won't be driving off with these boxes unless they brought a crane, they weigh about 2000lbs.
That is good advice, I don't let many people in my garage,, certainly don't let outsiders get a peak.

 

[MFolks]

When I'm working on projects in my garage, I have the rollup door open about 6" for good air flow(I have a large fan running at low speed), as we live on a culdesac with no through traffic, I watch and listen for people who drive down the street. What with almost everybody carrying a cell phone, who's to know if your place will be targeted by thieves, reported by somebody, especially if tools and other pricey items are noticed....

 

[crewchief888]

anytime the garage door is open, the view from the street is blocked by a vehicle in the driveway, and my trail truck that seldom is outside, garage sits approx 75 feet from the street
the inside of my garage is dark, (think 47 year old wood), i have no general lighting, only a couple specific lights in certain areas. i keep nothing of value within 5 or 6 feet of the overhead door, the only thing thats close is a generator, and thats hidden from view.
the 2 small windows in the back of the garage are partially covered, and let in little light.

i have motion activated lights in the driveway, a large german sheperd, and a neighbor thats keeps an eye out when he knows were gone.

only 4 or 5 people have ever seen whats inside the garage, if i didnt trust them, they would have never been inside.

 

[ozyborn]

My garage security. They are named Brutus and Boots..... German Shepards that have their own entrance into the garage and have run of the full back yard. They do not even try to leave if the gate is open. God help you if you break in. The garage is THEIR area...

 

[tonym]

My garage security. They are named Brutus and Boots..... German Shepards that have their own entrance into the garage and have run of the full back yard. They do not even try to leave if the gate is open. God help you if you break in. The garage is THEIR area...

sounds like the classic Illinois alarm = Ballbat+Pitbull

 

[crewchief888]

sounds like the classic Illinois alarm = Ballbat+Pitbull

i prefer a german sheperd

it's a toss up between a 12g & a 45acp.

my neighbor prefers a 44 mag