Protecting your tools/ shop

[BigguyZ]

So, about 6 years ago before I got into wood working, I was building some speakers in my brother's garage. That is, until one day I went out to the garage to find all of my tools missing .

After that, I finished my project quickly and made sure never to keep my tools in a garage. Now my shop is in the basement of the duplex I own, and I have to worry much less about theft. Well, I am in the process of purchasing a new home in a nicer area (single family this time!). The basement in the house is nice, but is more suited to put a home theater in than to put my shop in.

However, there is a very large two car garage that has more than enough room for my one car and a garage shop. But my worry about shop security/ break-ins is still there. Even though this is a nicer area of the city, it's still susceptable to being broken into.

So, one thought I had was to have a security system installed in the house, and include the garage. But I'm also wondering about what other solutions are available.

Thanks!
Travis

[dewi1219]

Security systems are inexpensive (in my area at least) and I also get a 10% discount on my homeowner's insurance for having one. If the garage is detached from the house, there are wireless sensors, motion detectors, etc. so installation shouldn't be a problem.

I also have a very loud, very annoying dog in the back yard. She is the best theft deterrent I have

[cabinetman]

Get yourself an effective system, called EWS (Early Warning System). It detects and destroys for the same price.
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[Mr__Bill]

If you do go the electronic security route have several loud horns installed inside the garage. They will still annoy the neighbors but will drive anyone out of the garage before they can haul too much away.

My brother at one time lived over in Roseville, in an apartment complex where most of the residents had cars much too nice for the part time jobs they seemed to have. One day his car was broken into and the stereo and and a few other things went missing. He told a neighbor about the theft and the neighbor got strangely upset about it. Then for several days after that his car got broken into every night and a stereo or something else would be left there.

The moral of the story is, some neighbors are better than others when it come to looking after the neighborhood.

Bill

[sweensdv]

Post this on the door to your garage,

[pelligrini]

If the garage faces the street black out the windows if there are any. Loosing the natural light sucks, but not advertizing is better. Keep the doors closed as much as possible. Tough to do during the summer if there isn't AC.

[twistsol]

Look at the Wayne Dalton iDrive garage door opener. I has a foot that swings into place on top of the garage door when closed and prevents the garage door from being forced open
and has the added advantage of taking up no overhead space.

http://www.waynedaltonstore.com/prod...714109039.html

Make sure windows and doors are secured and that the family actually locks the doors. And most importantly, if the garage faces the street, don't advertise. Keep the door closed and keep your tools covered so you aren't an attractive target.

[Mr__Bill]

Then again, you could always just get yourself a garage door cover....


See them all here.


Bill

[Uncle Cracker]

My garage does not allow "look-ins" and is fully integrated into my security system, including motion, sound, and other measures. My alarm banners also read: "Trespassers will be KILLED", in both English and Spanish.

[JimD]

My shop is my extra basement level garage, complete with its own driveway. The garage door doesn't have windows but I will probably replace at some point and the replacement will.

A big crime spree in my neighbor hood is when unlocked cars parked outside get stuff taken from them. That results in warnings in the neighborhood news letter. I don't think we've had any breakins to locked cars or houses in the 10 years I've lived in my current house. So I don't worry about it. That garage door has no opener so I do not see it as super simple to break into. It has a normal lock.

I would ask your neighbors about breakins before spending money on an alarm system. It's a good chance to meet neighbors and start to build a relationship. If they have alarms or know of issues, then I would probably get an alarm. If they don't and don't know of issues, I probably would not (I have not).

Jim

[natausch]

Home insurance and documentation on the value of my tools, considering that the replacement value is significantly more than what I paid I almost hope someone would give me a new shop by stealing what I have.

[Mr__Bill]

That garage door has no opener so I do not see it as super simple to break into. It has a normal lock.
Jim

Garage doors are second only to sliding glass doors for ease to break into. Unlocked doors and windows are easier but I am assuming you do lock yours. Two basic pry bars and about 30 sec and the bottom panel is forced in at the bottom and the thief rolls in under the door, pushed back in place and it still looks secure.

If you do have a security system installed make sure the bottom panel is secured with a contact and not just the top of the door.

One of my favorite security signs was on the back of an auto parts store, it read; 'Larry make sure the dog has been fed before you open this door.'

Bill

[Whaler]

I feel very fortunate that we live in area where we only lock our doors if we are leaving town. I do sleep with a loaded .357 mag on my nightstand though.

[Richard in Smithville]

My shop is in my basement level garage. When I close up I have a couple of small c-clamps that lock on the door track.

[herb fellows]

A tape loop of a vicious dog that can just be heard when they are within 5-10 feet of the door.