Security: How do you handle it?

[Suzy]

I have had some things weighing heavy on my mind lately.  The reason is that when my husband and I are working in our garage and someone sees us out there we are asked what we are doing.  Of course we are neighborly and this results in the person(s) walking up our drive and checking out our garage and asking questions about things like the great big panel saw we just built.  I guess you can say I am a bit paranoid in that matter since it has occurred three times in the last week and it is all people we don't know.

How do you handle that and is there something I can say to them without being rude but not wanting them in my business.  I am concerned about having everything stolen that we have worked so hard for the last 15 years to build in our tool collection.

Am I over thinking this?

[Jamison Rantz]

Put up one of those signs that says, "Nothing in here is worth your life." Then, when they're checking out your tools the sign will do the talking for you! hehe.

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Suzy, Being realistic the best security is a simple camera and if you do not want to purchase one all you have to  do is build yourself a fake one and install it where it will be noticed by anyone in the area.  One can be built by a simple small box painted black with a piece of coaxial cable running out of the back of the box.  To simulated the lens a short piece of black pvc pipe that enters the box and has something reflective inside like a piece of clear plastic that looks like a lens when viewed from the ground.  There are dummy cameras on the market that are very real in appearance but an actual video camera that can be viewed from a remote area like in side your home are not very expensive.  Even an old cam video from a computer works even if it is broken.

People are naturally curious when it comes to any shop activity and will naturally want to find out what is going on in the shop.  That is a good thing as that is actually advertisement if you are trying to make money from the shop. 

However People up to no good are very alert when they believe a camera is in the area and will avoid the area. 

A camera inside the shop that surveys the total activity of the shop is a good theft preventative and as anyone who has sticky fingers is fearful of any criminal act being caught on the camera .   I have a camera system of my total home area and one in the shop of which I leave on.  It records on a large hard drive.  Even a sign that says "video surveillance" is a deterrent.  

Something to think about is that if you pay theft insurance on your homeowners policy some companies will offer a discount for the use of camera surveillance.

[James P. Cottingham]

I put double locks on my workshop. I also have an automatic light on the outside so if someone comes around at night, the light turns on. The workshop faces an alley and people use the alley all the time. Many will slow down and look while I'm working. I have also noticed that if I put a bunch of junk or pile of scrap wood in the front of the shop and work behind it, people tend to ignore me. I guess they see the junk and think, "Nothing there worth my time."

[James Wallen]

Work with all your door shut and blinds pulled so no one can see inside your shop. Place a small window A/C to keep it cool inside. I also have 2 ceiling fans and 2 hurricane fans in my shop to keep the air moving.

[Suzy]

Thank you everyone, I will be looking into cameras and signs and A/C in the shop sure sounds nice.

[Ken Darga]

Jay,

Thanks for your tips.

[Sy Yon]

If it were me, i would tell them to grab a tool, and help out ! or push a broom to clean up all that saw dust.

As for potential to have your things stolen, you can always install a wireless camera system for your residence, and have it record the time you are outside or away.

I have 6 cameras installed, they upload to my NAS drive on my network, and i am able to access my video feeds anywhere thru my phone, tablets, even in my office at work.

Any way, its good to have the cameras on when you are there as well, that way, some of the funny stuff are captured and good for a laugh, or becomes proof that you actually did the work, you know, to show people at work that you were not kidding them about how you built this monstrous entertainment center that has a built in wine chiller, along with a waterfall and aromatherapy enhanced with programmable LED lighting thats sound activated. (thats a tough one to build but doable.)

As for the neighbors, you can always ask them if they find it interesting that they are the only ones not building anything or contributing to their neighborhood.    that one usually works for me... haven't seen a few of 'em come back.

[Russ Haynes]

While having your tools stolen is one consideration, having some break in and hurt themselves on a tool is another.  One of the security features I have built into my shop is a "kill switch" for all of the electrical circuits in the shop.  You have to insert a key into the main electrical switch box and turn it in order to turn on power to any of the tools.  Without the key on my key ring, my table saw, band saw, router table, jointer, planer, and all of the outlets in the shop are just for decoration.

With regard to physical security of your tools, no matter what security procedures you choose to put in place, there is nothing that a determined thief cannot take.  Cameras, real or fake, locks, etc. can all be defeated.  Easily.  Make sure you keep a spreadsheet in your safe with the model numbers and serial numbers of all your tools.  Keep pictures of them on a thumb drive or CD-ROM and keep that storage media in the safe also.  If anyone breaks into your shop and steals your tools, you can at least make a complete and reliable submission to your insurance company.  The other security feature is kind of obvious -- get the biggest, most expensive, and heaviest tools you can afford.  Someone would have to be REALLY determined to steal my SawStop considering it weighs over 500 pounds with 52" rails and cast iron wings.

[Suzy]

I wouldn't want anyone coming into the garage and turning things on and they would have to deliberately plug something in because it's all unplugged when not in use.

I think I'm going to stick with getting some cameras and signs, if anyone chooses to come in they can meet me through the door, lol.

[ron abel]

i have to power switches . one turns on the equipment and one for the lights . I have to open a cabinet to flip the switches .......

[Keith]

You can purchase...or make something like this. These don't interfere with the closing of the garage door. Then maybe a beware of dog sign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=232jFIOrxqI

[Suzy]

That's a nice screen for the garage!