Old folks using tool chests for "security"

[honcho]

If you have elderly relatives, maybe you have seen or heard this from one of them concerning sears (or other brand) tool cabinets for secure storage of valuables Perhaps it's all just a coincidence but maybe they all read it in AARP magazine or saw it on some talk show.

A couple of years ago, I was visiting an elderly friend with a large collection of photographic equipment. He had purchased a Sears rolling tool 26" wide base to store some of his more valuable gear in so he could "lock it up." I thought it was kind of silly for security purposes, but it did allow him to organize some of his more valuable collectible gear.

Not too long after that, out of the blue--to me anyway--my almost 80 year old mother asked me about buying a sears tool chest to secure her valuables. I asked her what gave her that idea and she said her cousin has one in her closet to store her jewelry. I dissuaded my mother from it saying that if her house was broken into, something like that in her closet would only pique the interest of any robbers and even if they were so inept as to be unable to open it right there, they would be able to just roll it out of the house.

Nobody wants to lose anything of value, especially not to a thief; however, I think that buying a rolling tool cabinet for storage isn't replicating a vault as far as security is concerned.

Has anyone else experienced this with their older relatives or friends?

 

[Ritter4.0]

No, but I have bought used tool boxes like the ones you mentioned. They were locked, and the seller didn't have the key. Since the bottom was empty, all I did was flip it upside down and it unlocked on its own. The middle box was empty and already unlocked. The top, also empty only took a screwdriver to pop the lock out and pliers to turn the mechanism. I hardly even bother locking them up when I leave work, I just make sure to put all my good looking tools away to be out of sight and out of mind.

 

[wmartin]

Maybe it's intended as security against the cleaning lady (or grandkids) rather than thieves.

 

[66HertzClone]

My FIL purchased one of those craftsman boxes that has the led lighting built in on a close out, the floor model. It's now parked in a far corner in the basement of their house, chained to the wall. He has placed the family jewels in it sort to speak, I told him the a safety deposit box might be a better choice.

I did even go so far to say, remove drawers, hide valuables, replace drawers, then old drawers with the meager selection of tools you have. No one would be tempted to haul the box the stairs given the flea market tool assortment he has.

 

[Joe B.]

Over most of the last century, people have been using Craftsman tool boxes for about everything. You see them in factories, hair salons, hospitals. Compared to anything else you can buy, they have been a great value for moderate duty storage and security.

 

[JASTECH]

Well similar I guess, my Dad wants to buy a gun safe to put valubles in. I know he gets the AARP magazine so I will ask him. He is sick and I have bronchitus added to my other ailments but I still keep helping when needed. Hmm, gun safe is heavyer eh?

 

[Butters]

That is odd. I agree about it piquing the interest of would be thieves. Not to mention it isn't very secure.

On the plus side, it's quite a bit cheaper (and lighter) than a real safe. And if they're like my in-laws, their fear of the theft is probably much greater than the actual threat itself. So it's cheap peace of mind even though it really doesn't add any security.

 

[Need4racin]

That's the weird thing about old people. I swear the older they get, the more they hide anything of value. Of course then they forget and screw themselves big time.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That's the weird thing about old people. I swear the older they get, the more they hide anything of value. Of course then they forget and screw themselves big time.

Like putting a huge wad of cash into the pocket of an old suit or coat, then donating it to charity.

 

[browntown]

**totally unrelated to the original post, but the above scenario with hiding money in coat pockets makes me recall when I was given a fancy montblanc pen as a present for being the bestman at a wedding. I returned the rental tux with said expensive pen in the pocket and never saw it again. I suspect everyone I see writing with a meisterstuck.

 

[sunshine1639]

We use them to make a large sewing table.
Like was mentioned, lot of storage at a good price and without wheels were the right height.

 

[Sage55]

Well similar I guess, my Dad wants to buy a gun safe to put valubles in. I know he gets the AARP magazine so I will ask him. He is sick and I have bronchitus added to my other ailments but I still keep helping when needed. Hmm, gun safe is heavyer eh?

I would much rather use a gun safe for security over a toolbox any day. Most modern gun safes are very secure, heavy, and fire resistant for extremely high temperatures for usually 30 minutes or longer.

 

[Chris Adams]

Dunno about 'old'.
My wife keeps her camera gear in a Husky tool box. One of those super tall, heavy 27x18 units, with a Craftsman three drawer on top. The nine drawers hold virtually all her photography gear safely.
She never locks it, but having lots of nice drawers with great protection beats the heck out of any other method of storage I've seen.

There is, after all, a reason tool boxes exist.
Practical sturdy storage, well designed.


Second the gun safe thing for security. Got a few of those, but they would **** for camera storage.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have seen tool chest used in emegency rooms.

 

[ptschram]

**totally unrelated to the original post, but the above scenario with hiding money in coat pockets makes me recall when I was given a fancy montblanc pen as a present for being the bestman at a wedding. I returned the rental tux with said expensive pen in the pocket and never saw it again. I suspect everyone I see writing with a meisterstuck.

My wife threw mine away cleaning the house. Had no idea what it was.

 

[american lockpicker]

That's the weird thing about old people. I swear the older they get, the more they hide anything of value. Of course then they forget and screw themselves big time.

Its funny how that works... I know an older gentleman down the road who used to live by some people that went through the great depression and didn't trust banks. It was well known they horded their money but no one including the relatives knew where. He had thought about it for year and one day he was on their property and remembered their was an old hollowed out tree that used to have honey bees in it. So he was looking in it and seen a rock, he removed it and there was a glass jar with a zinc(galvanised?) lid and inside was old gold and silver coins and banknotes. He never said what he did with it so I assume he kept it.

 

[JASTECH]

I'll start looking in trees! I wish I had one of those hi-end detectors for coin, gold ect. sence the land I own was settled back in the Indian days. Might be some goodies, my luck I would dig up a old cowboy or Indian, lol

 

[camarotoolman]

Local guy was ripped off, he had pistols in a tool box! Does gun safe ring a bell.

 

[Sage55]

Local guy was ripped off, he had pistols in a tool box! Does gun safe ring a bell.

That's total disregard for anyone else to store weapons in a toolbox and extremely irresponsible.

 

[fatfillup]

Not for security purposes, but my wife uses an old SO KR 59 tool box for her jewelry. Box works well but needs paint before I can sell it so I put some light blue yoga mat in for liners and she is happy and I have one less project to do.

 

[Al Bundy]

Its funny how that works... I know an older gentleman down the road who used to live by some people that went through the great depression and didn't trust banks. It was well known they horded their money but no one including the relatives knew where. He had thought about it for year and one day he was on their property and remembered their was an old hollowed out tree that used to have honey bees in it. So he was looking in it and seen a rock, he removed it and there was a glass jar with a zinc(galvanised?) lid and inside was old gold and silver coins and banknotes. He never said what he did with it so I assume he kept it.

Geez, nice guy. Did he break in the house too while he was at it?

 

[Larwyn]

That's total disregard for anyone else to store weapons in a toolbox and extremely irresponsible.

Why is that? Don't touch what is not yours and no one will get hurt. The only lack of responsibility or disregard for others was displayed by the dirt bag that stole the firearms, not the owner. If you walk in my house and happen to see a hunting rifle laying on the coffee table I expect you to leave it untouched unless invited to handle it. If you steal it, that is irresponsible. If you shoot someone that shows a measure of disregard. If you happen to be a thief, you might take the sight as a warning that my home is not necessarily a safe place for a thief to ply his trade. That is something you should have learned before kindergarten.

 

[87D100]

Why is that? Don't touch what is not yours and no one will get hurt. The only lack of responsibility or disregard for others was displayed by the dirt bag that stole the firearms, not the owner. If you walk in my house and happen to see a hunting rifle laying on the coffee table I expect you to leave it untouched unless invited to handle it. If you steal it, that is irresponsible. If you shoot someone that shows a measure of disregard. If you happen to be a thief, you might take the sight as a warning that my home is not necessarily a safe place for a thief to ply his trade. That is something you should have learned before kindergarten.

Amen to that
Kevin