Workshop Security

[Barry Burgess]

With an increasing number of garages being broken into in our area according to our neighborhood Watch, I am growing increasingly worried as I have over £3000 of easily removable hand/cordless/power tools. A couple of weeks ago I removed most of these tools from the garage and put them in my cellar but it is a total pain as you seem always to need the tool that is in the cellar.
I have a friendly kitchen cupboard installer and he has been kind enough to supply units that he removes. I have strengthened them and fitted casters and new worktops but they are easy to break into. I have put a lock & bar in the garage door so that it is not easy to open. Upgraded the side door lock but have not fitted bars to the window but you have to climb over the heating oil tank to get through the window.
Just view "Norms" program on garage workshops and the mitre cupboard. I like the pullout shelf options but security would be a problem. I would have to put them on casters and upgrade the back from light ply but the doors would still be a problem.
How can I get round these security issues and slow the thieves down and keep the insurance company happy.
Thanks in advance
Barry

 

[CHJ]

First thing I would do is fit an Alarm System, or incorporate the Garage in the House Alarm system if you have one. Do not give the impression by Sounder positioning that the Garage is the only place Alarmed though as this draws specific attention. Try to get a Sounder Box that has visible Power On indicator so that it shows up at night.

Will not stop a break in but is a deterrent, reducing the time and exposing the rats to unwanted attention.

They are easy to fit DIY and cost no more than a good Power Tool.

Ensure that you do not rely on external Padlocks for security, even the best can be removed very easily with tools readily available in B&Q.

I think Trevtheturner may be able to give you some advice on other measures.

 

[Chris Knight]

Call in the specialists..:wink:

 

[DaveL]

Call in the specialists..:wink:

But I can't get the Wadkin up the steps! :roll: :wink:

 

[CHJ]

Call in the specialists..:wink:

But I can't get the Wadkin up the steps! :roll: :wink:

You Do Not Have a Fork Lift or Scissor Hoist :!: :!:

Shame on you Dave for being so minimalist in your workshop toys.

 

[Jarviser]

My workshop is a garden shed - even more insecure. A loud shed alarm inside the workshop will hopefully make all but the most bone-headed burglar run for it, if it goes off. Similarly a PIR floodlight inside the workshop will embarrass them. Locking all the internal cupboards will also make it very unlikely that they will get away with much whilst the alarm is sounding. Replacing the glass with polycarbonate, or even timber if good artificial light is available will make it more secure. Make sure doors cannot be opened by removing the hinges. Ask a friend to try and find the weaknesses! Don't work with the doors open, thereby advertising your nice tools. Photograph all your tools, keep receipts and serial numbers safe. After all that, ensure the insurance is sufficient, don't lose sleep, and if the worst happpens, well, buying new tools is always fun.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Just a note on insurance. Fortunately I've never had a a theft from the workshop, although our house was burgled several times before we lived here. I have, however, had one claim when a cupboard full of screws and the like fell off the wall and landed on my P/T, knocking it over and knackering up the beds.

The insurance people were excellent. No difficult questions, no undue delays. Sorted. The insurance is through Alliance and Leicester, and when we changed our mortgage and looked at changing our house insurance too, we found that everything we looked at did not include my workshop. I explained that this is a hobby, and although I do occasionally get paid for making something, it is not a business, the income just offsets a little of what the workshop costs to run. Even in my best year my turnover did not exceed just the depreciation on the contents let alone the running costs. It has never provided me with a salary. Etc, etc. Most didn't want to know.

But A&L are fine, just as long as I have an alarm and a 5-lever mortice lock on the doors. I was straight with them about what I was doing and they were fine about it.

The premiums are high - £600 a year for the house contents (inc workshop), but we cannot be under-insured, it's a no-limit policy. Expensive but I sleep easy at night.

I also agree about not leaving the doors open, so people can see in. My main doors have obscure glass, so they let in light but people can't see in from the road, and apart from if I'm taking delivery of some timber, they almost never get opened.

I think my NYR will be to photograph all my tools and make an inventory. I did this about a decade ago and was astonished at the replacement cost of my contents, let alone the building.

My Ha'p'orth,
Cheers
Steve

 

[Gill]

There are some fabulous security devices available from The Dogs Trust.

Gill

 

[RogerS]

Barry

My company website is down at the moment but basically I provide wireless cameras with motion detection. If you get broken into then your mobile will ring and display an image of them at it. This puts control back in your hands although I couldn't possibly advocate you introducing them to Mr Tablesaw :twisted:

pm me if you'd like more details

Roger

 

[Woodythepecker]

barry

 

[Barry Burgess]

There are some fabulous security devices available from The Dogs Trust.

Gill

Unfortunately my 17 pound deaf white cat does not take to kindly to them - they bark and he attacks - most embarrassing for their owners

 

[Barry Burgess]

I would also check your insurance policy because a lot of insures have a £1,000 or £2,000 limit for property kept in outbuildings.
Woody

Mine is limited to £1000 in the garage but fully covered in the basement but with my luck I would forget to lock the box with the tools in it.

 

[Barry Burgess]

Barry

My company website is down at the moment but basically I provide wireless cameras with motion detection. If you get broken into then your mobile will ring and display an image of them at it. This puts control back in your hands although I couldn't possibly advocate you introducing them to Mr Tablesaw :twisted:

pm me if you'd like more details

Roger

What sort of money are we talking??

 

[RogerS]

Barry I'll pm you so that I stay within the non-commercial boundaries of the forum!

 

[Freetochat]

Following on from Gills comment five of these does the trick!

 

[Chris Knight]

Unfortunately my 17 pound deaf white cat does not take to kindly to them - they bark and he attacks - most embarrassing for their owners

Not one like this then?

 

[Gill]

My attack chihuahua has a partially collapsed larynx which means he can't bark; he just attacks. So if we ever have burglars I've no doubt they'll be distracted by our noisy alsation and, whilst they're watching her, the stealth chihuahua will strike at their ankles under the radar.

Devastating !

Gill

 

[CHJ]

Gill, Can you please stop the car and let the poor thing get in:

 

[DKMWT]

Steve Maskery says

Just a note on insurance............

My insuramce is with the Pru. My shed got burned out 18 months ago and although due to confusion with the building insurance causing delays with it being block built. The Pru sent new tools from there supplier that they could supply and a cheque for the more specialist things. Came to nearly £10,000 with no problems. I even bargined with them for a better lathe against the cost of things that I considered didn't need at the time.