Protecting your tools/ shop

[Mr__Bill]

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.

Another thing that works well are draw bolts. Drill a hole in the track and mount a bolt at the bottom of the door on each side. Not only does it keep the door from going up but it keeps the bottom from going in. Takes a car ramming it to push the door in or one really big guy on a pry bar.


Bill

[Rand]

A friend of mine's younger brother used to be a thief and a junkie. His advice was to cover the windows because if the theif can't see anything of value to steal he won't bother breaking in.
My friends garage had been broken into twice. He covered the windows and had no more problems.

[Black wallnut]

A friend of mine's younger brother used to be a thief and a junkie. His advice was to cover the windows because if the theif can't see anything of value to steal he won't bother breaking in.
My friends garage had been broken into twice. He covered the windows and had no more problems.

Most thieves are creatures of opportunity. Although covering windows is a good idea it is not fool proof. There is a pretty good chance that a thief can hear you when you are using power tools if he or she happens to be in your area. Diligent records of tool inventory and a good homeowners policy are two great tools to protect you. Switched outlets on your garage door opener and deadbolts also help.

[cabinetman]

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

Thieves know about that. Nothing like the real thing.
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[BigguyZ]

Wow, well thanks for the ideas. Sadly, it may be a bit too early to start planning the garage shop. The financing may have a hiccup, so we'll see in about 10 days or so.

[woodturner]

Another thing that works well are draw bolts. Drill a hole in the track and mount a bolt at the bottom of the door on each side. Not only does it keep the door from going up but it keeps the bottom from going in. Takes a car ramming it to push the door in or one really big guy on a pry bar.

I'm not following what you mean. Do you mean just a bolt through the track? I can see how that would stop the roller from going up, but how does that prevent the bottom of the door from being pried in?

[woodturner]

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

Electronic "barking dogs" are also available that vary the barking - the problem with a tape is the repetition makes it obvious it's not a real dog. Here is one example.
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_pk9.htm

[Mr__Bill]

I'm not following what you mean. Do you mean just a bolt through the track? I can see how that would stop the roller from going up, but how does that prevent the bottom of the door from being pried in?

By draw bolt I mean those really long things usually used to secure one side of a double gate to the ground. Place one on each side of the door and have it engage the track through a hole. Now the door can not go up and while it's easy to pry the wheels of of the track it's very hard to pry things far enough apart to disengage the draw bolt. You could even drill the bolt for a cross pin. If you have a flimsy lightweight door a piece of channel iron across the bottom inline with the draw bolts will also help. You will not be able to use the automatic door opener. This does not mean that it can not be done or the door pried apart in other places but it's now much harder to do it quickly and quietly.

If you need to access the garage through the roll up door then a jimmy proof dead bolt like this can be used on each side with the strike welded to the rail and the door reinforced with steel where the lock is attached.

Hope this makes sense to you.

Bill

Over here in the rain, growing moss on the sunny side of the roof.

[cabinetman]

If somebody wants in bad enough, they'll just back a vehicle into the door.
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[Mr__Bill]

If somebody wants in bad enough, they'll just back a vehicle into the door.
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This is very true, just like the guys that use a truck to steal and ATM.

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere it's all about noise and time. The more noise it takes and the longer the thief is there the greater the chance he will get caught. This is why audible alarm systems and barking dogs work.

Now if you are in the middle of nowhere you still want to slow them down long enough for you to get out there with the shotgun.

Bill