Need to lock something up

[Freds]

Good idea about securing it to the ground, Eddie. The grape farmers use big eye bolts screwed into the ground to attach lines and turnbuckles to that keep their vine wire tight. I think I'll pick a couple up. One for my pole barn and one for beside the house. I ordered an alarm for it, too. I posted a link under the "strangers" topic that takes you to an ATV site that talks about alarms and also chain/lock combos made to deter bolt cutters.
Anything to slow them up or draw attention.

 

[Freds]

Good idea about securing it to the ground, Eddie. The grape farmers use big eye bolts screwed into the ground to attach lines and turnbuckles to that keep their vine wire tight. I think I'll pick a couple up. One for my pole barn and one for beside the house. I ordered an alarm for it, too. I posted a link under the "strangers" topic that takes you to an ATV site that talks about alarms and also chain/lock combos made to deter bolt cutters.
Anything to slow them up or draw attention.

 

[MikeIA]

When we have sent chain hoists in for inspection, we have requested any chain that is replaced to be returned. Grade 80 just squishes the jaws of the bolt cutter...I now use a 9" grinder to cut it. I guess that material handling places sell the old chain for scrap, so maybe see if you can track some down that way.

 

[MikeIA]

When we have sent chain hoists in for inspection, we have requested any chain that is replaced to be returned. Grade 80 just squishes the jaws of the bolt cutter...I now use a 9" grinder to cut it. I guess that material handling places sell the old chain for scrap, so maybe see if you can track some down that way.

 

[Highbeam]

On locks. I have tried several types in my efforts to keep the crack heads out of my shipping container. The regular master lock pops right off. The same style of lock, the big U shape that pivots and then snaps down is easily defeated with a large enough blow from above. Only one style of lock has stopped the crackheads and that is the rotary style. They look like hockey pucks with a bite taken out. The same thief that had popped three of the shrouded and non shrouded style locks off was not able to get past the rotary lock. Instead he ripped off the hole locking handle to the door but I could see where he had hit it with something metal. I suspect he came equipped with a splitting maul and wedge. The rotaries also make it hard for the thief to get lock cutters on the bar.

I've got the rotary locks from walmart and they have been tested again since then and passed.

 

[3RRL]

Highbeam,
I can't believe you've had so much trouble with those guys up there. That's a real shame... sorry.
No wonder you trailer your stuff in. Isn't there any way to mount a game camera or something to catch the guys(gals) causing the trouble? Maybe mount it inside your shipping container with a peep hole for the lens. Any trails leading to the container to mount them on? Man, that would irk me to death.

 

[Highbeam]

The thing about cameras is that I wouldn't know what to do with the photos and our county sherrif would be hard pressed to act on them. Small potatoes I guess. So far these guys haven't really made off with anything, they break in to make sure that there is nothing to steal. I have things like chain and a brush hog in the container and they don't steal it so I can assume they are looking for easily pawned items like generators which I know not to leave there.

The latest one was funny. They couldn't get past my lock box on the door, see picture, so they climbed onto the roof of the container and unscrewed the roof vents to stick their head into the 8 inch hole and look to see if there was anything of value. How fantastic would it be to have some sort of trap that snaps around their neck and holds them there until I arrive. If they had seen a tractor or a generator they would have come back with tools to enter the container, I know I can't stop them when they are determined.

The crooks really bothered me at first but I decided that it is the way it is and I need to work around it. When I go to build a house out there I can already imagine the theft of building materials will be a problem. Once I live there, things will be different with dogs, guns, and surveilance. The isolated container is just too attractive to them, like a christmas present.

 

[3RRL]

Highbeam,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...so they climbed onto the roof of the container and unscrewed the roof vents to stick their head into the 8 inch hole and look to see if there was anything of value. How fantastic would it be to have some sort of trap that snaps around their neck and holds them there until I arrive....)</font>

Ha ha, how funny is that? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I would love to see THAT!
Maybe you could rig something up that would "tag" them instead of trap them?? Motion detector activated quick drying flourescent epoxy spray paint and a video. Dousing their heads, neck and clothes when they stick it in with something that can't easily be washed off. Ha ha...what a gas that would be to see. Or maybe a lever actuated spring bar that kicks them in the a$$ when the lid is pulled off? Like a human mouse trap?? Maybe some firecrackers going off inside to scare them and a tape player screaming "come back here you little creeps". Oh man, I'd be thinking of all kinds of ways to deal with those jokers. It would make my day.

Seriously though, I hope there is something you can do to keep them from getting your stuff and staying off your property. The liability aspect of keeping them off your property may asomeday rear it's ugly head if they get injured on it. Posting is one thing but you never know who will win in the Cuckoo Court systems these days.
Good luck,

 

[rox]

Highbeam,
Now this may be to evil for you. I'm thinking hmmm metal container...hmmm, electricity...hmmmm
Is there any way to kind of bury an electric line out int he woods and befroe you leave you can set it to "Alarm" If anyone touches your container they get the shock of a lifetime, perhaps somethign with a car battery? Obviously you post on the cotainer that it is protected by an electrical shock alarm.

One of our farmer freinds lives int he city and has his farm out a bit in the country. His cabin was broken into 3 times. finally they made home made signs with a skull and bones that said "Death Trap" and after that they have had no more problems.

You could put some grates on the grond in front of the door with warning signs that the grates are electrically alarmed or something like that.

I know this is off the wall and goofy but it is what came to mind. Hardly anybody will mess with getting electrocuted.

 

[stevenf]

Freds, Eddie's idea of the forest ranger setup has merit providing you protect the lock someway maybe inside a heavy cylinder and have both bars meet or something. Its very hard especially nowdays to protect anything if they even think they might want it. My FIL is a retired 30 year SAPD officer who helped start the crime prevention unit in San Antonio when he retired he became a locksmith. I've seen them unlock stuff that you'd never imagine could be unlocked and for them its always gotta look nice when they get thru imagine what a crook can do when it doesn't matter what damage is done. Matter of fact heres a really sad piece of information when Dremel tools started making rechargeable rotary tools it is now almost impossible to keep them out. Go to Home Depot buy a rechargeable Dremel and one pack of the fiber reinforced cutoff wheels with 1/2 or less of one wheel you can cut thru any exposed padlock shackle sold. Its a crooks dream tool you aughta have to be finger printed to buy one and the box stores don't even lockem up. With a flexible shaft you can cut a dead bolt or hinges off a door in about the time it takes to unlock it with a key. Scary Stuff
Eddies idea of the welded up corral with the sliding rail sounds like the ticket when you weld the pipe on to enclose the union only use big enough to barely fit the lock and they won't be able to get to it and the ATV is to heavy to lift over the top rail.
Steve