Question: Chain My Ladder?

[jseklund]

Seriously...I know that I live in a low crime area and that there are worse places out there. I also know that anyone will steal anything given the opportunity (a ladder is no exception I am sure). Having said that, in order to steal a ladder someone would need a truck to carry it, and it would probably be quite noticable if they were carrying it through your backyard to their truck. Nothing you can do will stop them if they are that blatant....

I would chain and lock it if you are worried, and make sure the chain and lock are the only thing destroyed if someone tries to gain access.

Better security would be a camera beyond that...then maybe you could at least know who took it or what they were driving.

Beyond those measures...you may as well worry about them stealing the boulders in your backyard

[Pappy]

i have a 16' ext ladder that hangs unlocked on the side of the Playpen. it was a CL find and I really need a longer one so I'm not worried about it coming up missing. The multi function ladder hangs on hooks and is secured with a bike cable lock run through an eye bolt in the frame of the building. Step ladders stay in the shed.

[phrog]

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?

The way my garage is arranged, I can't hang it without it getting in way of the doors going up. I had already looked into that. The 20 footers they clearanced here for $100. I just don't understand how you do it, Tommy.

[phrog]

Thanks to all who have posted to this thread. I realize that it is very difficult to stop a thief if he is determined but my aim is to slow them down so that my neighbors or I have time to notify the local police. Again, thanks to all.

[chopnhack]

Angry Rottweiler in the yard would be handy too!

[cabinetman]

Angry Rottweiler in the yard would be handy too!

Actually, I have two German Shepherds that would love the opportunity.

.

[cabinetman]

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

As for freezing a lock, or cutting thick aircraft cable with a bolt cutter, it's not as easy as it sounds. If you think you can freeze any lock...try it for yourself. Post your progress (if any) pictures.

.

[chopnhack]

That low grumble you hear right before your bowels let loose.... LOL

But seriously, I have used bolt cutters before on copper wire and yes its soft and a cinch, is aircraft cable that much harder with all the leverage involved?

I have head about freezing locks, I assume with a can of freon or some refrigerant, but not actually tried myself, without incriminating, has anyone tried? Might be time to scour youtube :-)

[tommyt654]

The way my garage is arranged, I can't hang it without it getting in way of the doors going up. I had already looked into that. The 20 footers they clearanced here for $100. I just don't understand how you do it, Tommy.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1177126/

[phrog]

I had a German Shepherd once. He would have chewed through the chain and had the ladder for dessert.

[woodturner]

That low grumble you hear right before your bowels let loose

Most dogs respond well to a drugged steak, if they even pay attention to a burglar. Unfortunately, most dogs are not a reliable deterrant - and small, yappy dogs are a better deterrant, according to "Superthief" - a Florida burglar who got caught and later wrote a book on home security and burglar's 'tricks".

But seriously, I have used bolt cutters before on copper wire and yes its soft and a cinch, is aircraft cable that much harder with all the leverage involved?

Not really - but you need fairly long handles or compound action to get the leverage, which makes the bolt cutters large and hard to conceal.

A cordless 4" angle grinder with a diamond blade is easier to conceal and will open any lock in less than a minute.

Edit: here is a link from another board discussing the lock issue and how easy and quick it is to cut a lock
lock can be cut in 15 seconds with an angle grinder

I have head about freezing locks, I assume with a can of freon or some refrigerant, but not actually tried myself, without incriminating, has anyone tried?

Freon isn't really cold enough - it's hard to get the lock cold enough to shatter. It will work, but it takes a long time, particularly with the new formulations that are not freon-based (the older R-12 cans worked fine). Liquid nitrogen works well, and is available in small cans. Spray the lock shackle for 20 seconds, hit it with a hammer, and the metal shatters.

What always surprised me is that burglars know how to find this stuff - like smaller cans of liquid nitrogen. They aren't buying that at Home Depot!

FWIW, the pros - school officials, police, etc. use bolt cutters or liquid nitrogen, at least around here.

[cabinetman]

A cordless 4" angle grinder with a diamond blade is easier to conceal and will open any lock in less than a minute.

The thief that's likely out to steal the ladder probably won't have a cordless angle grinder (with a diamond blade and a full charge) stuffed in his pocket. But it's possible as a stretch of one's imagination. Maybe a determined thief will carry around an oxyacetylene torch (with tanks).

I have head about freezing locks, I assume with a can of freon or some refrigerant, but not actually tried myself, without incriminating, has anyone tried?

Freon isn't really cold enough - it's hard to get the lock cold enough to shatter. It will work, but it takes a long time, particularly with the new formulations that are not freon-based (the older R-12 cans worked fine). Liquid nitrogen works well, and is available in small cans. Spray the lock shackle for 20 seconds, hit it with a hammer, and the metal shatters.

What always surprised me is that burglars know how to find this stuff - like smaller cans of liquid nitrogen. They aren't buying that at Home Depot!

FWIW, the pros - school officials, police, etc. use bolt cutters or liquid nitrogen, at least around here.

Have you tried it? I would like to see results of your proving that out. I doubt that there are liquid nitrogen stores...maybe a drive thru, other than a welding shop. For a thief to carry it around, and dispense it without freezing his fingers off, and then holding the lock while it's supported sufficiently...well I have my doubts.

I called a friend of mine in the Sheriff's department, and he knows of no departments that have used that method. Maybe where you are is very different. Cops have use of other methods if necessary.

.

[LCHIEN]

you need a decoy ladder in plain sight secured with a small chain lock that's easily broken and with the fourth rung of the ladder sawed partway through.
First time he uses it he will end up on the ground with a broken arm.

You put the good ladder farther in where its not easily visible...

[woodturner]

you need a decoy ladder in plain sight secured with a small chain lock that's easily broken and with the fourth rung of the ladder sawed partway through.
First time he uses it he will end up on the ground with a broken arm.

Clever idea :-)

On a more serious note, always a good time for reminders about ladder safety. One of my students is in a wheel chair as a result of falling 2 feet off a ladder and landing "just right" - or wrong. He is paralyzed now :-(

Be careful out there.

[phrog]

you need a decoy ladder in plain sight secured with a small chain lock that's easily broken and with the fourth rung of the ladder sawed partway through.
First time he uses it he will end up on the ground with a broken arm.

You put the good ladder farther in where its not easily visible...

Now that's a novel idea that I really like. What's gotten into Loring lately?