Security

[Andy from Workshopshed]

Any suggestions on how I might go about locking up my welder? It's in a wooden shed at the moment. I was thinking about putting an anchor bolt into the floor and attaching a chain to that, not too sure about how to attach the welder though.

 

[SwissTony]

Hole in the bottom, 1 chain link through into the wire spool compartment, then a padlock.
Probably worth adding a big washer to stop the lock and chain damaging the surrounding metal if pulled with force.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

Won't drilling a hole in the bottom void the warranty?

Don't suppose there is anything like the Kensington Security Slot for welders?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot

 

[SwissTony]

Which welder do you have?
If it has a back ledge for the gas bottle, there maybe a small hole were the chain goes through to hold the bottle on.

Could you fabricate something out off wire rope, similar to the Kensington security thing and run that through the small hole?

 

[ATGNI]

I just chained together as much heavy equipment as possible. Sheds are impossible to secure. I have also bolted on safety hoops and welded over the bolt heads. There are also tremble alarms that can detect people messing around with your locks and chain. There are lots of cheap shed alarms around but its worth repotting them in a steel boxes so the scumbags dont just smash them.

Chris

 

[W4yne]

Can you not make yourself a cage that can be anchored to a post through the shed floor? To finish off if you wanted to keep machine out of sight from prying eyes just use thin sheet aluminium to line inside the cage. Just a thought.

Personally I think you should be able to electrify the cage as well.

Any suggestions on how I might go about locking up my welder? It's in a wooden shed at the moment. I was thinking about putting an anchor bolt into the floor and attaching a chain to that, not too sure about how to attach the welder though.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

Got an anchor bolt and a bike security chain at lunch, will see if I can weld up some kind of scold's bridle to hold the welder in place.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

Which welder do you have?

Just a little R-Tech TIG welder, can't afford to have it nicked though.

 

[SwissTony]

Something like this any good?
Padlock attaches through the loop, just like the shed door type catches.
Looking at the R-tech website, the tig welders have a small ridge at either end of the top, which should stop it sliding out from the strap in attached picture.
Probably should foam tape line the inside of the strap to stop it scratching the welders coating.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

That's exactly the kind of thing I was thinking of. I've got some bar stock of the right size. Could potentially make the hinges but it might be easier to buy a couple.

Draft excluder foam should be the right kind of size

 

[the snooper]

have a look for a cheap van vault you will fit more then your tig in it

 

[madkayaker]

van vault is the way i would go you can fit all your tools in then. after i extend / rebuild shed i'm going to get one

 

[Shox Dr]

Personally I won't bother, if they are inside the shed, they will have access to your tools and more than likely time, remember they wont give two hoots what damage they do.

The best way to stop them is to prevent access in the first place. Not very easy with a wooden shed I grant you

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

If a professional thief wants to take your stuff then they will, it's really about stopping the opportunists and also demonstrating to the insurance company that you've not made it too easy for thieves.

 

[Fazed]

I built a 'shed within a shed' some years ago for a friend who was big into his downhill MTB'ing. He lived in a mid-terrace house and only had a 10'x8' shed in the back garden to keep the bikes in, and had problems with the local scum snooping around his shed.
I basically built steel angle iron panels with welded mesh sides, bolted to the inside walls of the shed, then welded together in situ like a cage inside the shed. Built a steel mesh door behind the wooden door and added some hefty locking shotbolts.

 

[MrFluffy]

You can buy shed in shed vaults like that for motorbikes etc.
I have a dog (who's job is to bark only), some alarm mines which may or may not have rock salt in the end of the cartridges for when Im not home, and a nice big stick at the moment.

 

[Fazed]

This was a long time ago before van vaults were invented. Maybe I should've patented my idea and retired on squillions of pounds?
I have colourful language, an angry wife, and nosey neighbours... all bases covered.

 

[SwissTony]

I have an angry wife, and nosey neighbours.

Is there any other kind?

 

[the snooper]

Personally I won't bother, if they are inside the shed, they will have access to your tools and more than likely time, remember they wont give two hoots what damage they do.

The best way to stop them is to prevent access in the first place. Not very easy with a wooden shed I grant you

its harder to prevent access to your property then then securing tools inside as they dont give a damn how they get in and you wont test your own security to destruction and these people just destruct anything in thier path.
but what you can do is secure what you have inside and fit an alarm sure they will break in and the alarm will go off but they wont be able to grab tools and run nor will they try to force open a van vault with a screaming alarm.

people also make the mistake of fitting a security grill/door on the outside of their premises.
the thives can take as long as they want to open it.
such doors should be on he inside so once they break in the alarm sounds and still they cant walk in so will turn and run empty handed

also if you beef up the outside of your property that much they will then think you have something worth taking and just try harder

 

[R BEADLE]

if that doesn't work i will send you a photo of my ex wife , that will scar even the hardest of criminals .