Shop Security

my security system is really easy, i have a crazy red heeler that lets me know whenever anyone gets within a 100 yards of my shop. you would have to be nuts to try and get past that guy, but seriouly i have both garage doors pad locked and a knob and dead bolt lock on the door. so far so good.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-

You can’t beat a big dog, and a siren

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I’ll 3rd the dog. Big one that barks when ever anyone comes by. Add to that a sign that says the dog bites, do not open gate. Electric fences work well too, but you have to post a sign that says it is there.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Alarm system and tools insured for me.

A big dog is cool, but someone’s gotta feed him while you’re on vacation. Most times just putting an alarm companies sign in the yard is enough to deter thieves. Window stickers work well too. Getting insurance is a must though.

Considering where you live, maybe a gator would work well too! Feed him thieves.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

First – Insurance

Second – Big Dog

Third – Alarm w/ internet cameras recording 24/7

-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

Don’t use windows, that’s an easy way in. Use motion activated lights, bad guys like to work in the dark.

-- I'm a lumberjock and I'm ok, I sleep all night and I work all day!

Siren, dog, and sign that reads, “Warning Attack Dog – Survivors Will Be Prosecuted”

Jim

All the above and we have a neighborhood watch that keeps an eye out for any suspicious activity. So far it seems to be working as we have not had any significant thefts since starting it up – We have signs in the windows and along the roads stating that there is a neighborhood watch in our area. Nothing works better then nosy neighbors for rooting out any suspicious activites I say….lets them use their curiosity to do everyone some good…

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

There was a small write up about this sort of thing in a recent issue of Handyman (i think) that talked about the biggest part of security (other than insurance) is making it appear to be not worth the thieves time because at the end of the day, if someone wants to break in and steal something bad enough, they will. They talked about things from as simple as alarm stickers on the windows and doors to using threaded rod to put “bars” over the windows.

Example: My parents had a hunting and fishing store that had only three windows. Two windows were glass block and the third window a steal door that had half a window in it. Over the window were bars made of 1/4” x 1 1/2” steel bars that were bolted to the inside of the door at each side of the window. Outside the door were multiple lights pointing in all directions. Someone shot out all of the lights with a pellet gun, then broke out the glass and took the time to cut the bolts off of the bars and then help themselves to the guns that were locked up in cases inside. Years later someone tried to steal the Pepsi machine that sat out front. They made it almost out of the parking lot before the machine fell out of the back of the truck into the parking lot where they decided to leave it. I am sure it made one heck of a noise! All of this was in a small town with very little crime and it was located on one of the busiest streets in town!

-- James - What's your excuse this time??

I am going to get into so much trouble here… With sites like this one where we are proud of our shops and what we do and we show each other our projects and our shops, we also give good discriptions and pictures of what we have and sometimes even where we live. So who is reading what we “show and tell”?

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

I don’t worry about security. I stock my shop with Harbor Freight tools. I also work exclusively with MDF.

This fine fellow slept in my Dad’s Machine Shop every night…
We never had any trouble whatsoever…

-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

After Thomas’ post it got me thinking…how about getting covers with pictures of junk tools on them to put over your good equipment at night (make em look like some rusty fallen down POS that no one would want)....maybe like what he said…Harbor Freight brand….that could be a nice business for someone..>LOL What self respecting thief that knows tools would break in when he sees a bunch of Ryobi or black and decker tools…(no offense meant to anyone that has these – but I just don’t hear alot about them getting stolen).

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

well i leave my keys in the lock back garden gate open and in two years no problems yet and if i did i hope they clean up the yard at the back frst LOL …......

-- cut it saw it scrap it

I had steel bars installed on the basement windows when we first moved in. I’m in a suburban neighborhood that is quite family oriented, but having a basement full of tools is a treasure trove for tool hunting thieves. We have motion detector lights and a 6 ft. fence w/ locked gates. I won’t mention the “boobie” traps that may cause intruders a bit of pain, but that’s for them to find out if they trespass. Not to mention the Killer Kats and Giant Arachnids wandering around.

I have outdoor and indoor lights on timers, so even if I’m home, they go on/off at the same time. So, if I’m NOT HOME, they still go on/off. This helps make it look like there’s someone always around. You can get timers that have several sets of on/off options so you can set it to look like someone is walking around inside. Keep the curtains closed. What they can’t see they won’t know to steal. Make sure the newspaper and mail don’t accumulate, have a trusted friend/neighbor pick them up for you. If you can have a vehicle parked to look lilke someone is home, that helps too.

There are inexpensive alarm systems that go off if a door or window are disturbed that you just plug in and leave in the room to be guarded. The noise could alert neighbors who could call your local sheriff. A camera outfitted to take photos of the intruders could be helpful should they ever steal anything. Even to have one take photos of anyone coming up to your house would be good to have.

A few thorny rosebushes outside any windows would help deter, but metal bars and closed shades are better. As said above, if your place doesn’t look tempting for the effort, then they’ll leave for greener pastures.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

You guys are great! Dog is out since wife and I are cat people – oh well. After reading all your posts I think the external motion detector lights are for sure – have them on the house, just never thought about them.
Internal motion detector for one of the lights will be good too. Since it’s two small windows and a door, I think the individual window and door alarms will be good with a solid hasp on the door.
Thanks,
Don

I’m glad you asked the question. I enjoyed the answers. I have a small 10×20 outbuilding type shop behind my house in a fenced in back yard that backs up to the main road. First thing I did was cover the windows with insulation to keep prying eyes out. Second thing was a motion activated light which I really like because I can see it through the bedroom door that leads out back. The door locks, but is not dead bolted. An old neighbor once told us to be sure and lock everything up that locks are meant to keep honest neighbors honest, beyond that, I guess it would be nice to have a backup insurance plan..Note to self, get insurance on shop. Other than that, we have good neighbors and we watch out for each other. We also have a little Chihauhau that may or may not bite, but will make a lot of noise and could leave a really nasty bite/scratch that could get infected!

Just my thoughts.
Kelly

-- He who dies with the most tools wins!.....Just wait, I'm going to win!..ERR my wife will at least.

i have always had dogs, 2 is always better . the other thing is i am home most of the time . chunky it depends on how big the cat is!

-- gagewestern

Nothing beats insurance!
I would rather have all my tools stolen and replaced by insurance than come home and find my dogs dead, and my tools gone, and have to pay out of pocket to replace them.
For me, it’s a no brainer.

Pit Bull, Doberman, and a Winchester ‘97 12ga. And oh a few bodybags. Besides homeowner’s insurance.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Chunky
I’ve read that even if you don’t have a dog, put up a Beware of Dog sign and even set a big bowl of water out. Also, the article mentioned planting thorny bushes around any windows, we have some holly bushes and they hurt. Like everyone else said motion detectors. You can even buy these fake cameras the have a red light blinking and they move. Just added my 2 cents. One other thing, this article mentioned having you doors set up to open outward instead of inward.

From everything you described about the setting, I think I would rely /less/ on the lights and noise thing and /more/ on making it really, really difficult to get into your shop.

Light and noise tend to work when criminals fear that your neighbors will catch on. Sounds like you don’t really /have/ any neighbors.

You could probably get roll-down security shutters (that lock) for the windows, a steel door with a security frame and heavy-duty deadbolt secured with long screws, and similar ‘defense’ devises for any other points of entry (ventilation, milk chutes, etc.).

Having a good relationship with your local sheriff is particularly important in a setting like yours. Let THEM know when you’re going to be out of town and—generally—they’ll swing by your house a couple of times during your vacation.

I also like the idea of a video camera or two on the outside AND stickers from an alarm company. The overall goal is simple: make it seem like a better idea to break into the /next house/ than it would be to break in to yours.

In lots of towns, incidentally, the sheriff/PD will walk through your property with you and make specific recommendations as to how they think you should secure your property. I’ve gotten some /great/ ideas from ‘audits’ like this, in the past.

-- -- Neil

If you have a garage shop, you probably have a garage door opener, don’t leave the remote in your vehicle. Post security company signs in the windows and doors but also a good security system with lights and an alarm because thieves will actually scope out their targets and they will go as far as trying to trip your alarm to see if you actually have an alarm system. Good quality doors / windows with security locks and dead bolts. Insurance. If thieves want in bad enough they will get in.

Today’s thieves don’t necessarily use common sense. In Oregon a few years back some meth addicts tried stealing copper wire from a power switching station and electrocuted themselves. These jackasses are desperate for any thing they can sell and they don’t care how they get it.

A recording of a 12 ga. pump shotgun slide hooked into your security system might get their attention. That’s one sound you can’t mistake.

-- Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Mike D.