Toolbox security 'cage'...

[Stoneward]

The yard where my lockup is has had an 'unwelcome visitor' recently; nothing was taken, just broke into a wooden shed with nothing but a crude padlock on the door. My work shop has sturdy walls and roof, a big metal sliding door and two big old padlocks on it, plus CCTV outside and an inconspicuous appearance.

But I am a worrier, always have been, and my toolbox in the workshop has a barrel lock, which is all well and good for the top lid with my ratchets and sockets in, but nothing to lock the drawers.

What I am wondering is, what is the best way to make the drawers lockable? I am not going to swap the toolbox. I like it. It's staying. And I am not going to weld, drill or rivet the box itself because it devalues it and will almost certainly look kack. Attached is a picture of what I have.

I need to stop it from being lifted, slid or have the drawers opened (all at once of course). I have been planning to make an up and over frame out of 6mm wall 50x50mm angle section going from one side to the other accross the lid, with an additional piece coming off and coming forward in the middle and then dropping down the front to prevent the doors from opening. I would then use two disc locks to make the whole lot removable, either near the corners or near the workbench.

But before I start making something, can anybody on here think of the best way of achieving what I want to do?

 

[Dev]

A strap up and over the top with another across the base with L shaped ends. You then screw the strap base to the table hiding the screws when the box is in place

Sorry about the kinder garden sketch, you can see why I don't do sculpture.

 

[octo0072000]

tools

most insurance co's like tools to be inside a cage or steel room so even if they break in they cant get to the tools to use them to do further damage
to cars inside the premises

 

[AndyStobbs]

I have a similar top box, my drawers lock when I shut the lid.
If I'm not mistaken I can see the spars that go down the back of the drawers and latch to them, in your picture.

The spars have hooks on them, which engage with tabs on the back of the drawers.
Are you sure they don't lock?

 

[Stoneward]

View attachment 33768
A strap up and over the top with another across the base with L shaped ends. You then screw the strap base to the table hiding the screws when the box is in place

Sorry about the kinder garden sketch, you can see why I don't do sculpture.

Now that's definitely worth looking at, nice design

 

[Dev]

I have a similar top box, my drawers lock when I shut the lid.
If I'm not mistaken I can see the spars that go down the back of the drawers and latch to them, in your picture.

The spars have hooks on them, which engage with tabs on the back of the drawers.
Are you sure they don't lock?

But that doesn't stop someone lifting the whole thing of course.

 

[stuvy]

sure doesnt dev, concrete a ground anchor in and make a bigger version of what dev recommended

 

[Stoneward]

OK, had another think and came up with this. Basically there's two uprights fixed to the bench on both sides with welded over coach bolts (not carriage bolts like I wrote in the image ). These will pass through the toolboxes side handles for belts and braces security. At the top they each have welded a 6mm piece of angle with a drilled hole for the disc lock. Onto these bolts the mainframe as shown, with 'legs' going to the front and back to stop the drawers being opened and the box to be slid back respectively.

Hope this is clear enough:

 

[octo0072000]

idea is good all you can do is slow them down make it harder to get at it
but a few mins with a cordless angle grinder and that would be off

locks need to be covered over so cant be got at to be ground off
coach bolts need plates under wood bench
also make sure there is no power sockets live or any power tools left out
as said all you can do is slow them down if they want they will get it
a big dog works wonders

 

[Stoneward]

idea is good all you can do is slow them down make it harder to get at it
but a few mins with a cordless angle grinder and that would be off

locks need to be covered over so cant be got at to be ground off
coach bolts need plates under wood bench
also make sure there is no power sockets live or any power tools left out
as said all you can do is slow them down if they want they will get it
a big dog works wonders

Well that's always going to be the case, and with a grinder no matter what I make or buy they could get in it. Just want it more secure with the drawers unable to be opened and the toolbox unable to be lifted. Like I said in my original post, its already in a sturdy building, with two padlocks on the metal door, cctv outside, and contents insurance....

 

[AndyStobbs]

I take the view that my insurance premium is being paid for a reason. I go to reasonable efforts to keep it secure, lock the box at night etc.
Spending 5 minutes twice daily to unlock/lock a top box makes a mockery of insurance in my mind.

Granted it can still be lifted, but I did hopefully add some insight so far as locking the drawers is concerned.

 

[Stoneward]

OK, so this weekend I got some workshop time and set about making the frame....except on closer inspection Mr Stobbs was correct: There are indeed spars with hooks to lock the drawers, so the drawers lock with the lid closed (or locked)
This meant I only had to make a way of locking it to the bench, so I came up with what you see below. It hasn't got the disc lock fitted because it hasn't arrived in the mail yet, but when it does arrive it will go through the hole and so prevent the handle from being lifted over the upright. It will be a nice 70mm Masterlock jobbie.

 

[madkayaker]

Yes the draws will lock with the lid but its often quite pants and a hard pull defeats it

 

[stuvy]

Yes the draws will lock with the lid but its often quite pants and a hard pull defeats it

yep even my snap on is the same.

I know a way to get into it in seconds but im not gonna share it on a forum!

 

[Stoneward]

OK, I know that it still isn't that secure, but I could go on and on making some bulletproof, high security box for it, or have motion sensors, lasers and armed guards or something, but in the end of the day it is about how much you value your peace of mind. I just wanted the perfect balance between secure and sensible, and it is more secure and less steal-able than it was, so I am pleased!!

 

[stuvy]

and thats the most important bit mate, that your pleased with it

its just that one or two of us would do it slightly different but thats what makes the world unique!

 

[Robotstar5]

Can you undo the two bolts holding the handle to the box?

 

[Stoneward]

Can you undo the two bolts holding the handle to the box?

No.

 

[Stoneward]

Bear in mind the tools like spanners and the grinder are IN the toolbox aswell