How do you protect your tools from been stolen?

[LukeD]

I have a habit of DIY engraving my initials and phone number on just about everything .
I spray parts of big stuff so its easy to see if its "moving" . I keep records and i know where to go "looking" in London for stolen tools at markets etc .

last problem was a git trying to swap my nice new 18v Makita batteries over for his one year old ones. He even thought he was getting away with it until i asked him how come he has the same initials as me engraved on the side of them !

I now tend to drop off big stuff and use a small car for day to day. Vans etc just seem to be robbed all the time. Estate cars seem to be popular now as you not so 'trade"


would be nice if FLUKE etc could offer a service where you program in your details to your meter and a code. until the code is entered your details come up on start up

 

[telectrix]

would be a good idea to have a PIN so tester is unusable without entering PIN.

 

[Guest123]

I think Metabo & Hilti have a security system on some of their tools whereby you cant use them unless you have the security keyfob to disarm the immobiliser.

 

[rocker]

I do the old engraving in mine, including batteries and chargers, with my name, postcode and house number, phone number and 'if sold, please call'.

I do have "rocker's" sprayed on easily confused things like steps, I may stick it on my tools and batteries as well after reading that. My engraving is in semi-hidden places so there still could be a bit of 'confusion'.

Securing things wise, I would say a car without tinted windows so people can see that you don't keep anything in it, and DON'T KEEP ANYTHING IN IT! For when you are driving around, an offcut of dark coloured carpet over everything is better than nothing and doesn't light you up like a christmas tree. If you can, keep all your power tools and certainly your tester in your house. If you can't keep the tools indoors, they need to be in at least a sturdy, locked and alarmed garage or shed. Wherever possible, in house, shed OR car, a good little extra thing to do is get some chain, bolt it to the floor or whatever, pass it through the 'handles' of all your toolboxes and lock it up with a decent padlock. Try and make it tight so they can't open the boxes to get the tools, but to be honest they are normally only interested in boxed stuff anyway.

 

[Amp David]

The chain idea is what i use. Pass it throught all the hadles of the tool boxes, at least it makes robbing them that little more difficult and teres more of a chance of the theiving scum running before they can get hold of anything

 

[telectrix]

i do exactly the same, but chain steps and 3kva 110v tranny to them as well. if you've got a big enough van, those wheeled cages used for shop deliveries can be chained to the inside of the van and padlocked. then when arriving on site, wheel the whole kebang to where you are worling.

 

[rocker]

i do exactly the same, but chain steps and 3kva 110v tranny to them as well. if you've got a big enough van, those wheeled cages used for shop deliveries can be chained to the inside of the van and padlocked. then when arriving on site, wheel the whole kebang to where you are worling.

That's a brilliant idea! If I ever get a van big enough I'm doing that. My mum works for asda, I'm sure she'll be able to negotiate one for me...

 

[Geordie Spark]

I have a habit of DIY engraving my initials and phone number on just about everything .
I spray parts of big stuff so its easy to see if its "moving" . I keep records and i know where to go "looking" in London for stolen tools at markets etc .

last problem was a git trying to swap my nice new 18v Makita batteries over for his one year old ones. He even thought he was getting away with it until i asked him how come he has the same initials as me engraved on the side of them !

I now tend to drop off big stuff and use a small car for day to day. Vans etc just seem to be robbed all the time. Estate cars seem to be popular now as you not so 'trade"


would be nice if FLUKE etc could offer a service where you program in your details to your meter and a code. until the code is entered your details come up on start up

I agree & that's why I never owned a van - plus the fact that if you have a family like I had, they tend not to like being taken for days out in a van - so I used a Mazda 626 hatchback.

Over the years, I owned four of them & found I could get all my tools (four boxes worth) plus bits & pieces all out of sight in the boot & if I was carrying ladders, pipes, conduit etc. I fitted the roof rack.

If I needed to carry anything bulky - like a bathroom suite - I could get it all in just by foding the back seats down.

In 20 years I never had anything stolen from the car.

I agree that it would be nice to have some sort of security code programmed into testers & such like. My camera (Photography is a hobby of mine) has my details stored in its memory & while this won't prevent it from being stolen, I'm hoping it will help to have it returned to me if ever it does.

 

[Amp David]

That's a brilliant idea! If I ever get a van big enough I'm doing that. My mum works for asda, I'm sure she'll be able to negotiate one for me...

Complete with a tailift to get the cage out full of gear lol

 

[BLBelfast]

Do any of you seriously empty your van after a days work?

 

[Amp David]

Every night.

All the good stuff is in its own compartment made of strong ply, chaind and a serious lock on the side door, as thats the only way you can get to it all

 

[Doomed]

yes - the guy over the road from me (a plumber) has been done twice.

 

[LukeD]

I doubt it !! And advertising on the van will not help.

 

[grantr37]

I have caught a few people over the years pinching my tools, usually the nice new ones that I just bought from bills tools on saturday, I always put my initials as a minimum on a few places where they would be hard to rub/wash off, and when you come round the corner and your box is half empty you can try to retrieve the tools, when I had some things go missing over a tea break once, a shiny brand new file I had bought caught my eye sticking out of a contractors bag, I asked him about it and he grumpily said "has it got your f in name on it PAL" I said yes it has, and as I got it from the USA and they dont sell them here, I think you would be hard pushed to say your aunty bought it for you...and my names here...and here....and under here.....I got a 5 minute tirade of expletives and flying slevers and banging about but I got my tools back out of his bag, another 5 minutes and his bag would have been zipped up and probably casually ----ed in his van.

Be aware that the ones to watch out for are the ones who turn up on site, will only be there for a day or two and will never be back, you know the contractors in to fit a few automatic doors in a supermarket, or the guys laying the flooring, doing the taping etc, they are fly with it too.....they scope out your tasty toolbox,wait till you are at tea and sling it in the back of the van then they are off to the next job 400 miles away never to be seen again, or at least they better hope they dont bump into me again... I have had a few brand new jackets go as well,and I even know a guy got all of his tools, every last one...and his used boots stolen at tea time when he put his trainers on to go to the shops.....rediculous...

 

[BLBelfast]

problem is I live in a terrace street where parking is awful. Most nights I would be parked 200 yards up the street. Hauling my gear up and down to the house would just bring unwanted attention. Have the windows of my combi silver tinted and there is no advertising so hoping it will keep the thiefs away.

 

[timo1]

You can list valuable items serial numbers on this site:

www.immobilise.com

it will help re-unite owners with property if it gets recovered by the Police as many items are recovered but owners never traced. Worth a look.

 

[accordfire]

I keep a nasty, underfed Rottweiller in the car.

Seriously, it's one of the reasons we don't use vans - other than one for big stock items mostly. We don't sign-write either.

That said, there's no telling because the sum in London will screw anything with wheels on it - sure they get off on the sound of breaking glass sometimes - even in "allegedly" secure car parks in places like Mayfair.

I had a Focus Estate emptied one night while I was merrily supping on God's Reward in the adjacent public refreshment facility. The upside of that was being a country pub, the thirty or so tradesmen in the pub, some of whom had also been done, and I knew exactly which "temporary" site to visit to ensure the return of most of it.....which was all, again mostly, residing in a flat bed transit. Good night.

The down side is it sets you up as a target for the future. That lot seem willing to take a beating on the one night, and spend their time going after you one at a time. One of the plumbers got taken out on a job - did his legs permanently, although the ones that did that are still doing time now, it got messy for a while. Three of theirs got done in a pub two nights after, and oddly, the pub phone wasn't working until about ten minutes after.......

The best the council and old bill were able to do was to move the rest on, but that took a year.

So, yes, most of the guys I know take everything out at night, and reload in the morning. Most I know also have CCTV of some type too - some in the Vehicle, and others on the house where they can see their motors. All recording.

As for marking tools, we tend to use tamper proof labels - shiny things that you can have printed, but which break apart when you try to remove them. Has come in handy once or twice on and off sites. Like these here.

 

[Marvo]

You guys are painting a pretty bleak picture of what sounds like a massive crime wave. I use a car for work with no extra security measures. There is just a postcard sized company name and logo on the back window. I carry mostly PLC equipment, 3x laptops and a few nice testers and a data acquisition unit.

When I first set up my business I tried to insure the equipment in the car but they wanted an annual premium of one third of the equipment replacement value. I said no and didn't insure. Touch wood that was 19 years ago and I've never had any theft. I don't take anything out of my car at night, it just parks outside in my driveway. Even in the town centre or on new installation sites I've never had a problem, neither have I heard of any of my colleagues getting stuff stolen. Maybe we're just lucky, I've never had a break in at home either.

 

[prideofengland]

Yes I also unload tools, drills and test kit every night. Once in the garage the Apprentices Red and Blue protect them.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g389/ttimengland/Blue.jpg

 

[pritch]

I wrote my phone number on the inside battery comparment of a 18v dewalt drill the once. One day I woke to find the van door open and the dewalt gone.After about 8 weeks on a saturday night I had a withheld number call my phone, when I answered this guy held my drill up to the phone and pulled the trigger spinning the chuck and said " remember this noise mate,? this is the drill I nicked out of your van" he then starting laughing and put the phone down. I really wish I had some plastic explosive in that drill and could of detonated it with my receiver and blew his head all over his chavy **** tip flat.

 

[pennywise]

I wrote my phone number on the inside battery comparment of a 18v dewalt drill the once. One day I woke to find the van door open and the dewalt gone.After about 8 weeks on a saturday night I had a withheld number call my phone, when I answered this guy held my drill up to the phone and pulled the trigger spinning the chuck and said " remember this noise mate,? this is the drill I nicked out of your van" he then starting laughing and put the phone down. I really wish I had some plastic explosive in that drill and could of detonated it with my receiver and blew his head all over his chavy **** tip flat.

If it had been me, would have just told him it weren't mine anyway nicked it the previous week, take the wind out of he sails a bit

 

[johnnymacc]

i second the rotty response,keep it in my gated garden padlock on gate security lights and two daft staffys

 

[Sav]

I put those security locks on my van. They are discreet, but have a big lock that goes up and down inside the side dioors and the same thing on the rear ones. This and the bulkhead and factory alarm and deadlock system, helps I think (Renault Trafic).
I always take out my tester though and leave it at home.
I better go and check, just to be on the safe side !!!!!
Sav
P.S If that fails, I also have a carboard cut out of the mother in law in the back, that will definately do the trick !!

 

[rocker]

Do any of you seriously empty your van after a days work?

Every night mate. I've been stung myself, all my gear was in my locked car which was in a locked garage. now I unload and remove everything every night, sometimes it's knackering but you get used to it. My garage is now alarmed up and has even more locks on it... they wouldn't get away with anything if they tried it on again but I'd still like to catch the toerags...... it's coming up to 4 months since I was done so I reckon they'll be coming back soon, new tools and all that. In fact I'm thinking of getting hold of a few empty cases and sticking a few bricks and a GSM tracker in there. Not bothered about calling the rozzers but I wouldn't mind introducing the little sods to Mr Axe Handle. Anyone know where I can get old empty tool cases on the cheap?

I know carting your tools up the road could be a nightmare but it's only really a matter of time before you'll wish you'd had. Can't you just double park with the hazards on for two minutes, shunt it all inside your front door and then park it?

 

[rocker]

I wrote my phone number on the inside battery comparment of a 18v dewalt drill the once. One day I woke to find the van door open and the dewalt gone.After about 8 weeks on a saturday night I had a withheld number call my phone, when I answered this guy held my drill up to the phone and pulled the trigger spinning the chuck and said " remember this noise mate,? this is the drill I nicked out of your van" he then starting laughing and put the phone down. I really wish I had some plastic explosive in that drill and could of detonated it with my receiver and blew his head all over his chavy **** tip flat.

I would have found that ****er. I don't know how but I would have found him and I would have served him his own teeth. I'm getting angry just thinking about it.

 

[coxy84]

abit off subject, i spent about a hour on monday morning looking for my van keys, i trashed my house and shed looking for them, in the end i found them in the ignition in the van, i must have been tired after work last friday!

thank god i live in mid wales!

 

[Strickers]

My battery power tools are all hilti and i have a key fob to charge all the batteries. Doesn't stop them being stolen but i'll feel better knowing that they can't be used.

 

[BLBelfast]

I know carting your tools up the road could be a nightmare but it's only really a matter of time before you'll wish you'd had. Can't you just double park with the hazards on for two minutes, shunt it all inside your front door and then park it?

Taken your advice mate. These stories are scaring me

Just went down and lifted my toolbox, sds, battery drill and kangoo inside. The rest, bar the ladders, are either not expensive or knackered anyway. Took me 3 minutes and will probably sleep sounder tonight.

 

[saveloy]

Just a little advice to anyone who has been robbed, if you don't know. Beware that these scummy bottom feeders may well have 2nd go shortly after nicking your tools for the first time, knowing full well that the victim will have gone out and bought a whole load of new tools to carry on with. It's happened to a few blokes round here!!

 

[LukeD]

I wrote my phone number on the inside battery comparment of a 18v dewalt drill the once. One day I woke to find the van door open and the dewalt gone.After about 8 weeks on a saturday night I had a withheld number call my phone, when I answered this guy held my drill up to the phone and pulled the trigger spinning the chuck and said " remember this noise mate,? this is the drill I nicked out of your van" he then starting laughing and put the phone down. I really wish I had some plastic explosive in that drill and could of detonated it with my receiver and blew his head all over his chavy **** tip flat.

Clint ****inh Eastwood stole your drill?

I use our Golf more than the landcruiser. Clients prefer it outside their homes etc . Smaller and less likely to be robbed. I drive down after work to drop off big stuff etc

There was a really good bespoke kitchen fitter i know that sprayed £4k ;s worth of festool bright dayglow pink , cases etc all. His attitude was its a lot harder to shift stuff like this!!

 

[Bigboy247]

I had my house trashed then after 40mins they filled all the kids stuff and my garage full of tools and loaded my van and took the lot. Just before christmas my van turned up but no tools and my insurance haven`t still payed up. Found some of my tools on ebay Hilti stuff only available special order in the USA police said will will get round to it. Went and brought it and collected it with the rest of my tools and then the police came and said hello sir. So am in court in about three months for explaining to the people not to break into my house and give it my dogs with a shovel, upset my christmas and scare my family to death. My house has cctv and alarm and no one saw anything. So will be going back to live abroad as soon as I can. I hate the tax man anyway and love the sun.But going to spray all my tools shocking pink I may look stupid on site but no one will steal them lol.

 

[Bigboy247]

Six other contractor where done in a month all the same M O.

 

[accordfire]

Six other contractor where done in a month all the same M O.

Somewhere along the line, someone needs to give these thieving *******s the message once and for all that thieving off hard working tradesmen is a crime that deserves what the Arabs do to shoplifters - it's time their hands were cut off.

Where's it all ever going to stop?

 

[rocker]

As long as the pigs turn a blind eye to pikey sites, and there are 'outreach' centres for people who, through their own damn choices, have got themselves hooked on junk, it's never going to happen.

It only pays to be a failure as a human being in this damn country. BBoy's got the right idea, we should all sod off somewhere sunny.

 

[Strickers]

would it be illegal to charge a capacitor from car engine attached to the bare copper around your tools with no means of discharging, well unless some little thief discharged it to the ground. lol

 

[High Tower]

would it be illegal to charge a capacitor from car engine attached to the bare copper around your tools with no means of discharging, well unless some little thief discharged it to the ground. lol

Fraid so!

Causing harm with intent

Madness!!

 

[LukeD]

Fraid so!

Causing harm with intent

Madness!!

I can think of worse !! No Urban myth etc. There was a toilet cleaner many many years ago at marlborough College who rigged his house doors up to the mains . Police went nuts ! he was lucky never to have killed anyone .

Or you set up a "bait van" and have a little action yourselves , just make sure you dont talk about it afterwards. But will certainly be talk of the town amongst the thieves.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

As for marking tools, we tend to use tamper proof labels - shiny things that you can have printed, but which break apart when you try to remove them. Has come in handy once or twice on and off sites. Like these here.

Looks like I am about to buy some of those, just realised that my Bosch 10.8v screwdriver has been nicked, traced it back to last thursday, it was a CHUBB ALARM installer in same building as me that was when I last had it.

Tempted to create a fault on the alarm, but my luck someone else will come out to repair it.

 

[BlueToBits]

About 5 years ago my van was getting broken into all the time. I placed an old drill on the nearest shelf to the back doors and connected a theatrical maroon via a 9v battery to a bathroom pull switch with the cord tied to the drill flex. Sure enough, a month later we heard the bang from the back of the house we were working in followed by another contractor who came running towards us. "...the back of your van just blew up and 2 lads went running off in a plume of smoke". They got the knackered drill but that was all. I recon they'll think twice before trying it again.

 

[grantr37]

get one of those lizards from the jungle that has a perma lock poison bite, you know the ones that bite you and about 3 hours later you turn green and topple......then they let go....and start eating you...then put a little collar on it with a tag saying something like "my name is mike and I eat tool theives" just so they can see the message before they black out.....put it in the tool box.....they open it.....chomp....

 

[LukeD]

get one of those lizards from the jungle that has a perma lock poison bite, you know the ones that bite you and about 3 hours later you turn green and topple......then they let go....and start eating you...then put a little collar on it with a tag saying something like "my name is mike and I eat tool theives" just so they can see the message before they black out.....put it in the tool box.....they open it.....chomp....

Your nuts !

 

[grantr37]

second thoughts dont, if somebody gets taken out by an exotic pet I will probably get the blame, cancel that dont go buying anything from the Lizard section at the pet shop...

 

[rocker]

About 5 years ago my van was getting broken into all the time. I placed an old drill on the nearest shelf to the back doors and connected a theatrical maroon via a 9v battery to a bathroom pull switch with the cord tied to the drill flex. Sure enough, a month later we heard the bang from the back of the house we were working in followed by another contractor who came running towards us. "...the back of your van just blew up and 2 lads went running off in a plume of smoke". They got the knackered drill but that was all. I recon they'll think twice before trying it again.

Class!

 

[High Tower]

About 5 years ago my van was getting broken into all the time. I placed an old drill on the nearest shelf to the back doors and connected a theatrical maroon via a 9v battery to a bathroom pull switch with the cord tied to the drill flex. Sure enough, a month later we heard the bang from the back of the house we were working in followed by another contractor who came running towards us. "...the back of your van just blew up and 2 lads went running off in a plume of smoke". They got the knackered drill but that was all. I recon they'll think twice before trying it again.

I love it!!