garage security (tools).

[carl0s]

I have a basic double garage at my new house, as below:


At the moment it's unlocked all the time because I wasn't given keys for the locks. I've just ordered a couple of locks, but I don't think they're hard to bypass anyway.

I have a fairly expensive TIG welder, and various other tools, and am a little worried about their security. There's nobody home in the daytime usually.

I don't want to spend lots of money, but I have a few ideas, and wonder what thoughts and other ideas some of you might have.

Firstly, my TIG welder has a handle on it like a radio, so I'm thinking about a long-ish bicycle combination lock thing to attach it to either a heavy bolt that I put in the floor, or just around the workbench legs or something. Here's the welder, so you can see what I mean about the handle, which is pretty convenient:


Obviously most of my welding learning/practice means that the welder stays put on the end of the workbench, so this seems like not a bad start.

I do also have various other tools and things though so I need some general security ideas. Of course step 1 is to get working Cardale locks, and I'm onto that.
Another idea is that I get a PIR style floodlight in the back garden with a wireless beeper that goes in the house, so if anybody goes in the back yard while I'm home, I'll be alerted to it.
I am considering a camera, but it's expensive to get a decent one that also records constantly/consistently and properly.
A garage alarm? Is that a reasonable ideas? Something that goes off if the locks are tampered with or the doors opened without disarming the alarm?

any thoughts?
cheers,
Carl

Edited by carl0s on Thursday 15th March 19:13

[carl0s]

Some good ideas, thanks. There is already a wimpy wooden side door, so this is a good possibility for improvement.

The construction is pre-formed concrete sections, so I think it's quite sturdy, except the roof is not concrete, and there are some easily broken windows as well.

The welder is actually still in my grandparent's cellar, but I'm hoping to get all my stuff in here soon.

You can see the sort of construction here:

Edited by carl0s on Thursday 15th March 19:08

[carl0s]

lyonspride said:

Put a steel security door on the side of the garage and lock the main doors from the inside, chain them to ground anchors. That'll sort you out

I like this idea a lot. I'm wondering what the best and most straightforward way of locking the garage doors from the inside would be? I need something that when unlocked doesn't get in the way of cars driving in. The floor is concrete so I can drill recesses and things.

[carl0s]

buggalugs said:

Weld some hasps on the bottom and put something to padlock them to into the concrete?

Hmmm. Pleasantly straightforward! I was hoping to leave the ground free of obstructions, but I suppose it's not such a big deal really... I could also do something similar but with the centre post that's in-between the two doors.

[carl0s]

Gatefold said:

Are they windows by the side and in front of the RX7? Get rid of them for a start... If not, then I'll leave the rest of the good suggestions to stockpile.

Yes they are, and they are quite a concern. What would I do? Just bolt some sort of steel sheet over the whole lot?