Question: Chain My Ladder?

[phrog]

Considering the current price of ladders, I'm thinking of chaining my ladder to a post of my sundeck and locking the chain. Although a thief could saw the post or use giant bolt cutters to cut the chain, it would be a lot of trouble, take some time, and might deter a theft. Just wondering if anyone has any better ideas and what kind of lock to use for the chain? I live in a low crime area but crime is slowly moving this way. And by the way, cutting the post will not cause the deck to collapse. Thanks.

[jking]

Is storing the ladder inside (garage or shed) a possibility? You don't mention type or size of the ladder. Personally, I would be reluctant to leave a ladder outside chained & locked.

[phrog]

Is storing the ladder inside (garage or shed) a possibility? You don't mention type or size of the ladder. Personally, I would be reluctant to leave a ladder outside chained & locked.

I forgot to mention that it is a 24 foot extension ladder. Storing in the garage is not a possibility and I have no shed. Why would you be reluctant to leave it outside chained and locked? Thanks.

[jking]

In my mind, the problem is with the ladder being stored outside where it can be seen. Someone looking to take it will know how it's secured & will come prepared. Chains & padlocks are not very secure in my opinion.

Extension ladders can be stored in a garage hung from the ceiling or on the wall. If you don't have the free space for that, I would look at bike locks rather than a chain. I have a bike lock that has a large "U" shaped loop (giant padlock) that is hardened. My understanding is these are harder to cut than standard padlocks.

Of course, if your backyard is fenced off & pretty hard to see into, a chain & padlock may be sufficient deterent. I get nervous about these types of things.

[cabinetman]

I would use a lock like this, and an aircraft style cable 1/2"-5/8".


.

[chopnhack]

I like your lock cman - no angle for leverage and hard to hold, good choice.

A quick search yielded this:

http://www.farmandranchhardware.com/...n-cutters.html

Look at the RC-800

LOL, would a thief spring $200 at the tractor supply to swipe a 24' ladder?

I like the bike lock too, but was thinking about popping it with a bottle jack? Not sure if that can be done, but its a thought.

[phrog]

Of course, if your backyard is fenced off & pretty hard to see into, a chain & padlock may be sufficient deterent. I get nervous about these types of things.

The ladder cannot be seen from the front of the house and can only be seen from the back or sides by the neighbor on either side. They are both trustworthy but you never know when someone may come wanderin' just lookin' for something to get. Thanks for your input and explanation.

[phrog]

Nice lock C'man. That may be what I'm lookin' for.
Nice cutters Chopnhack but I think the neighbors would call the police if someone went into our backyard with those things. (And who's going to pay $200 for cutters to steal a $200 ladder. )

[Hoakie]

Cutters could be reused. If someone is going to steal a ladder it probably isn't the first or last thing they might swipe $200 may just be a small investment

[chopnhack]

I LOL'ed at my comment because I was thinking the thief certainly wouldn't pay for the cutters, he would just swipe those too

[tommyt654]

Wow, I hadn't realized they were that expensive, I just bought a 20ft Lerner at HD for $28 brand new they clearanced out.Why not hang it from the rafters with some hooks in the garage?

[chopnhack]

Most folks pay retail tommyt. Between you and toolguy I swear you are both prof. tool buyers.

[tommyt654]

Not really 90% of the stuff I buy has already been posted somewhere else on the internet like Fatwallet.com or Slickdeals.net or I do in some instance's have several local connections that work for HD as well as Lowes that help a lot,but the ladder deal was posted on FW as I recall and while most of the time the deals may not occur at the exact moment in my area eventually they will, plus HD always almost daily has some sort of clearance item coming into play,(walk around the store looking for yellow tags) If I had another interest besides woodworking and tools I prolly could buy and resell items from those 2 stores as a side business and make a tidy profit, but I usually only do so in order to finance the tools I really need. I might go ahead and buy 5 drill/impact sets to resell at a 100% profit in order to finance purchasing a better quality tool for my own use. Currently I'm saving up for a Unisaw as the R4511 while a great saw its not what I really wanted,but it was the closest thing to a cabinet saw at the time I purchased it for less than $15 out of pocket cash since I sold several DW735 planers in order to get it that I had purchased and resold for a profit, Overall I doubt I have $200 in all of my tools when you consider that most all were purchased with funds from buying and reselling items from HD and Lowes, 2 companys I own stock in of all things, but hey it works for me and others here I gather as well, but I have a way of dealing with the local mgrs that works for me, you would be surprised what a double mocca latte w/extra cream at 6 in the morning will get you 3-4 ,months down the line or a box or 2 of fresh hot Krispy Kreme Glazed doughnuts dropped off at the pro desk. Its all in how you treat folks I find

[woodturner]

(And who's going to pay $200 for cutters to steal a $200 ladder. )

Not needed - a $10 HF cordless grinder or a $5 can of freeze spray will make quick work of any padlock.

[chopnhack]

LOL

Tommy, you are a professional tool buyer! Don't take it the wrong way, I am jealous. I wish I had the ability and market to do what you do!