Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Churchill Johnson]

A relative of mine told me today that a barn of his had been broken into, we all know by whom, but it had a good padlock so guess what was used to break the lock LIQUID NITROGEN, this with a hammer blow shattered the lock, what apart from an alarm can we do about that!

[Ironhead]

[Scotty]

There are after-market protective box shrouds that once fitted to the door the padlock has to be fed up into the shroud and onto the hasp. Alternatively, if your relative is handy with a welder he could make one.

These are examples of what I'm suggesting -



http://www.blackminsterbusinesspark.co.uk/index.php/storage

Basically its a very strong metal box, permanently fixed to the door with the hasp feeding through into the box when the door is closed. There is no bottom to this box, so the padlock is fed up into it and onto the hasp, then locked. Its a bit fiddly to fit the padlock and lock it once in position, but well worth the hastle.
This method stops a potential thief from raining down heavy blows directly onto the padlock itself and the shroud is also going to make it more difficult to direct the stream of liquid nitrogen directly onto the lock.

Speaking as a professional "breaker-inner" (I was a Fireman) our hearts would sink when we turned up at garages and the like on fire and they had padlock shrouds fitted to the doors. To be honest it was easier destroying the door than it was trying to break the padlock.

May I recommend your relative either contacts their local Crime Prevention Officer or Neighbourhood Watch, both should be able to help.

[mick]

my wife knocked up a box like that after her workshop was broken into, seemed to do the trick

[Greeney in France]

Even with the biggest and best padlock is only as good as the hasp and staple behind it
In my Chippy/locksmith days I was always surprised at what people would buy for their garages, cheap asian padlocks and mildsteel hasps will never work.
You need to spend a good deal of money for a quality unit, hardened shackles and bodies there is no point in buying a hardened shackle with a brass body.
And put large plates on the back of your door whether wood or steel to spread the load if someone tries to jemmy it
Have the main lock visible but if you can put in hidden ones these will be what will save your contents
If your garage has other access other than the main door fit padlocks on the inside like on door runners to stop the main door being opened
All a thief wants is speed, ease and quiet. if they cannot do it with these 3 they will go elsewhere
_________________
www.OldFrenchCars.com

We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us

[Salopian]

I've got some Henry Krank alarm mines - no chance of a quiet get away here!
Google for them - don't half frighten you if you forget you've set them.

My farmer friend who has had a few thefts attempted has a theory you should only lock sheds with nothing of value in because thats where the beggars go first leaving the unsecured sheds where the treasure is alone.
Seems to have worked for him.
_________________
Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[Churchill Johnson]

YES SEEN THE BOX IDEA BEFORE BUT THAT WOULD STILL NOT STOP THEM USING THE L/N THIS STUFF WHEN SPRAYED ON A RUBBER BALL WILL MAKE IT AS BRITTLE AS GLASS! AND YES THE LOCAL COP'S PAID THE USUAL VISIT AND AS AGAIN SPOKE WITH WORD'S OF WISDOM FIVE JOB'S DONE THAT NIGHT MATE HERE IS A CRIME NUMBER SO YOU CAN CLAIM ON YOUR INSURANCE. Spoke to a block yesterday his barn was done three time's last year the last one they used a stolen Range Rover with of course false plates to go through steel shutter door's but he always remove's the key's and batteries so they gave up and abandoned the motor.

[Scotty]

Only trying to be helpful CJ.

[Churchill Johnson]

I always appreciate advice what's getting up my nose is these thieves getting away with our gear i really don't know what is wrong with us we let the so called leaders of this country sell everything,give away the rest and give in to minority groups who let the trash in our society have what they want ,when they want, at no cost to them that's why this country has become the dustbin of the world.