Vintage gas pump security

[Lahti35]

So i'm contemplating picking up an old gas pump for outside my garage, to place between the two doors. I have a short concrete extension in front of the doors that extends 2' before the gravel starts.

Knowing the number of thieves and d&%k heads in this world i'd like to secure it so it doesn't go missing... or its at least hard to steal quickly and quietly.

Anybody have a pump in front of their garage?

I'm thinking drill some holes in the concrete and sink some anchors in there... drop the pump over the anchors and weld the nuts on... If i need to move it I can always grind the tops of the nuts off where they are welded to the anchor. All of this would be on the inside of the pump body and not accessible from the outside without removing body panels...

Probably wouldn't stop a determined thief but what can you do I guess...

 

[HOTFR8]

The harder you make it to move the more likely it will stay in place.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Double nut each anchor then weld the top. That way you still have plenty of thread if you want to put it back. Also you could put a baby monitor inside it, that you could hear in the house......

 

[bczygan]

Where is this place where you can get a vintage gas pump, with just the use of a battery powered reciprocating saw?

Bill

 

[johnnyradiant]

Where is this place where you can get a vintage gas pump, with just the use of a battery powered reciprocating saw?

Bill

whatever

that simple saw is still effort and not exactly the quietest appoach

not all thieves want to spend time cutting multiple bolts especailly if the saw they stole didn't have goos metal cutting blades.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Where is this place where you can get a vintage gas pump, with just the use of a battery powered reciprocating saw?

Bill

A friend of ours had a similar situation. They just threw a rope around the base and broke it off with a truck. They drug it down the street a block, then threw it in the truck and gone. This was right in town. The base is still attached to the concrete!

 

[lakelandcat]

If I lived in a neighborhood that had thieves that would steal something as heavy as a gas pump, bolt it down and put up a sign that says "due to the high cost of ammunition don't expect a warning shot"

 

[Lahti35]

A friend of ours had a similar situation. They just threw a rope around the base and broke it off with a truck. They drug it down the street a block, then threw it in the truck and gone. This was right in town. The base is still attached to the concrete!

Dang. I guess they really wanted it!

I should add that I live in the country, an area with low crime. The crime we have had are "crimes of opportunity"... basically open or unlocked things have been targets in the past. There's a guy in the area that has a nice restored pump outside his shop on wheels so he can move it around.... hasn't been messed with.... yet.

The area its going in is well lit also. I figured i'd weld up a frame on the inside that's bolted to the pump from top to bottom and then secure that that to the concrete instead of just the pressed steel base of the pump.

I realize if somebody wants it they're going to get it... not much you can do against a determined thief.

 

[chris142]

I wonder if you could put an anchor in the ground under it and chain it from the inside?

 

[abachman]

I would go with the first idea...and double nut, welding the top nut in place. Remember, it is insured and replaceable...

 

[Marctrees]

Self admitted, you live in a "Low crime area"... I do as well.

Have seen ONE person in 7 yrs walk down the road that was not local, unknown.

Car in driveway always unlocked, sometimes w somewhat valuables, never a problem.


I have an Uncle that lives two miles away, same flavor neighbohood, old retirees, in a 30 yr old basic Mobile home, with a tiny shed w rusty saws and a few old screwdrivers.

Keeps it locked up TIGHT,.. goes in house for lunch, locks it.

We are both Retired, virtually always "at home"

Unplugs most stuff at home at first threat of thunder.

Has the highest fence and driveway gate for miles around.

The most expensive item in his house is a vcr/dvd combo machine that is yet unpacked for going on 3 yrs cause he's afraid he will mess it up putting into use.

I have told him I will come and hook it up... Nope, too risky he sez.

Keeps his 20+ yr old Econoline van constantly locked in his driveway.

Of course, when I ask why is he so afraid, answer "HAH !! You live in La La Land"



My point?


I do agree that a beautiful vintage pump may be desired by many. but you may want to question your concerns.

Of course, obviously, I live in La La Land !!!!!

Marc

 

[Lahti35]

Self admitted, you live in a "Low crime area"... I do as well.

Have seen ONE person in 7 yrs walk down the road that was not local, unknown.

Car in driveway always unlocked, sometimes w somewhat valuables, never a problem.


I have an Uncle that lives two miles away, same flavor neighbohood, old retirees, in a 30 yr old basic Mobile home, with a tiny shed w rusty saws and a few old screwdrivers.

Keeps it locked up TIGHT,.. goes in house for lunch, locks it.

We are both Retired, virtually always "at home"

Unplugs most stuff at home at first threat of thunder.

Has the highest fence and driveway gate for miles around.

The most expensive item in his house is a vcr/dvd combo machine that is yet unpacked for going on 3 yrs cause he's afraid he will mess it up putting into use.

I have told him I will come and hook it up... Nope, too risky he sez.

Keeps his 20+ yr old Econoline van constantly locked in his driveway.

Of course, when I ask why is he so afraid, answer "HAH !! You live in La La Land"



My point?


I do agree that a beautiful vintage pump may be desired by many. but you may want to question your concerns.

Of course, obviously, I live in La La Land !!!!!

Marc

I originally wanted to fill it with concrete and hook an electric fence zapper to it... just joking!... Maybe. LOL!

Point taken. A little security for the "grab anything not nailed down" crowd should do the trick. I like the double nut idea... i'll go with that at the very least.

 

[6768rogues]

When I grew up in the country people only locked their door when they were afraid that someone might let the dog out by mistake. We always left our keys in our cars because it was a farm and a car might be in someone's way. If a kid was stealing stuff, the cops would take him home and his father would make sure it never happened again. Never, ever again. Not today, the streets were taken over by punks.

 

[rburke65]

Oh ya....take the hot side of the 110volt feed.....oops.....my bad.....there is no 110 volts...it’s 120 volts, to the side panels......the hell I can’t.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I originally wanted to fill it with concrete...

That's what I was going to suggest, but it most likely would kill the value of the pump.

Tommy

 

[joecon]

You realize that the pumps were made to be outside in all kinds
of areas. On the inside there are holes to bolt them down. If they
want it so bad that they will unbolt it from the ground you aren't
going to stop them from taking it.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I'd just go with option one, bolt it down. That will take care of most of the drive by thieves.

But just as you are getting comfy with that level of security...remember that the ******** who can't steal it will vandalize it! You just can't win.

 

[Falcon67]

Lights keep people a bit more honest. Not locks. Chance of being seen when you don't want to be seen is a decent deterrent.

 

[miragesmack]

Although it’s illegal, you can electrify it. Good for kicks anyway. I’ve got the same concern.

 

[Marctrees]

I do like the idea of making the studs extra long, double nutting, and welding the top nut.

Due to access issues, it WILL take longer to do that than just unwelded.

ALSO - Of course, make sure the nuts you weld are accessible within the base for you to grind off when you move.

I don't know how wide open your base gets w cover (s) ? removed.

I'm sure you thought of that, but just sayin.

If you are old enough for this to be your last house, like me, consider that also.

Otherwise, if you're a 35 yr old Finlander, maybe not.

If you were born in '35, just set it in place.. it will stay there long enough.

Obvious stuff, just thinking.

Sorry I kinda got on you in my first post, I'm just soooo tired of dealing w my Uncle's paranoia.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I see the Farmer's Special, I know many of us get goosebumps at the "vintage" parts of it.

I love the Gray Wanscot w White above.

The Old Pump will fit in well.

I see you were not born in '35, so do the doublestack welded nuts.

In general.................

At least from my perpective.....................

WHY do we find the Old Garages and shops SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Wonderful?

They basically (for me anyway) hit us maybe even deeper than anything else.

Kinda like such memories of getting free Plastic Dinosaur and such as a Child......looking at the sign - "Ethyl - 26.9 cents"

Don't want to derail the thread, but I tell ya, other than the Castro and Kruschev antics, bring me back to those days.

Get the Pump, put it up.

Marc

 

[Norcal]

If I lived in a neighborhood that had thieves that would steal something as heavy as a gas pump, bolt it down and put up a sign that says "due to the high cost of ammunition don't expect a warning shot"

Then there is the "I have a gun and a backhoe"

 

[zkdiesel]

My Sinclair punk is just bolted to concrete on outside of building under sheet metal. Didn’t bother boltongnorndouble jutting,’if they want it that bad they will just hit it with a truck till something breaks and then load it up

 

[86turbodsl]

With what those things cost, expect it to be a target forever. Put it inside?

do you really need a real one outside? How about a facsimile?

 

[motorcycle79]

Surprised no one asked for pics of the pump yet. I have a Wayne 505 outside just sitting on gravel. Left the pump in it. Thats heavy enough theft deterrent for me. Nice ones stay inside tho.

 

[laser3kw]

The most expensive item in his house is a vcr/dvd combo machine that is yet unpacked for going on 3 yrs cause he's afraid he will mess it up putting into use.

They still make those?
Where did he get a vcr / dvd combo in the last three years?
Where do you get VCR tapes?

 

[Marctrees]

He has old VHS tapes, and some DVD's.

The combo players are few, but currently made.

Marc

 

[mike in tucson]

Good security is something that makes a noise.... like the thief screaming when he loses a finger trying to steal the pump.....

 

[lakelandcat]

He has old VHS tapes, and some DVD's.

The combo players are few, but currently made.

Marc

bought one about 5 years ago, use it to record woodworking shows for ideas, music shows, movies, etc so I can play them in the shop which has no media hookups