Project for new welders (cash maker)

[monte55]

I am in the HVAC business............I have a customer that owns three houses within one block (not a great neighborhood). In one house......thieves stole the central air conditioner while the house was unrented, and on another of their properties, thieves went in last fall and stripped the central air conditioner of copper/aluminum..........and even destroyed/stripped the furnace of the A coil, ripped out copper water lines etc. I have installed new heat/cool systems in each of these properties. To deter thieves, I have built a cage/fence with a lockable gate around each A/C unit. Here are some pics of the cage/fence with lockable gate that some of you may be interested in promoting and selling in your area. Just remember to take measurements of where the A/C unit will be and keep in mind to leave space so the gate can be opened for servicing. The posts on this are 1" square tube (14 gauge) and capped with 1 " square plastic plugs, the pickets are 3/8 " solid round, horizontal are 1" x 1/2" C channel. The extra length of the posts allow for 12 to 15 " to be set in concrete (if the customer wishes). I charged $285 for this one.....................they picked up, will install and paint it themselves.
Also you may interest them in security bars for windows but be sure to check with local codes as to whether it has to be able to be opened in case of fire. The security bars can be built the same as the A/C cage (or fancier, of course).

[weld_13]

thats a cool idea thanks

[wireburner]

good idea keep em` coming

[phila.renewal]

Interesting idea and excellent execution.

Unfortunately I can almost guarantee that the cage will be going to the same scrap yard as the copper. They will rip that out and take it as well.

Empty property needs a dog. Big dog. Only way.

[PLUMMER]

Nice work on the cage. but I agree with phila its just more for them to take. Heck if they are willing to take your screen door,gutters and aluminum siding off while your in the house, I can't see why a cage will deter them. Its nothing short or the catalytic converter theft going on. Sawzalls a going, will cut anything for crack and meth.

[monte55]

What if I build a second cage around the first cage to protect it.

[NightCap]

What if I build a second cage around the first cage to protect it.

Heh, that's funny.

It is a very nice project. Thanks for letting us see it. I can imagine the frustration of the poor people that own the homes. Frickin Thieves.

[Bert]

monte55,
thanks for the idea! We have security bars in a lot of places here in Hawaii, and the AC is a good idea also. If the thieves see bars on one, they MAY go to the neighbors for "easier" access...

[nalysale]

Interesting idea and excellent execution.Installs the cages around the equipment with several heavy steel bolts that run through the cement that these outside appliances set on.But i think cages of property armor are also best according to security point of view....

[TerryL]

Build a Big swatter for the next unwanted visitor

"monte55

What if I build a second cage around the first cage to protect it."


build a fly swatter over the cage with a motion sensor for night time use

[wroughtnharv]

I am in the HVAC business............I have a customer that owns three houses within one block (not a great neighborhood). In one house......thieves stole the central air conditioner while the house was unrented, and on another of their properties, thieves went in last fall and stripped the central air conditioner of copper/aluminum..........and even destroyed/stripped the furnace of the A coil, ripped out copper water lines etc. I have installed new heat/cool systems in each of these properties. To deter thieves, I have built a cage/fence with a lockable gate around each A/C unit. Here are some pics of the cage/fence with lockable gate that some of you may be interested in promoting and selling in your area. Just remember to take measurements of where the A/C unit will be and keep in mind to leave space so the gate can be opened for servicing. The posts on this are 1" square tube (14 gauge) and capped with 1 " square plastic plugs, the pickets are 3/8 " solid round, horizontal are 1" x 1/2" C channel. The extra length of the posts allow for 12 to 15 " to be set in concrete (if the customer wishes). I charged $285 for this one.....................they picked up, will install and paint it themselves.
Also you may interest them in security bars for windows but be sure to check with local codes as to whether it has to be able to be opened in case of fire. The security bars can be built the same as the A/C cage (or fancier, of course).

Twenty plus years ago I made some cages out of 7/8" succor rod for a/c units in Dallas. The response was so positive I thought about producing them until I looked in the local yellow pages. There were guys out that already that was their specialty.

Besides that, most of the time those things are for landlords and they have no morals when it comes to contractors. They are notorious for taking your idea and shopping it around for the lowest price. I've been on both sides of that conversation btw.

[DieselDon16]

Very nice idea, especilly for guys starting there own business like me.

[Temac]

Concrete

My first post:
I was asked to build something like this for a Boy Scout hut. I was think the same except more meat. The post would be 3" pipe and since a sawzell was mentioned I'll make them work for it by filling with concrete.

[tenfingers]

I don't see why you couldn't fill the corner posts of Monte55's fence wth concrete/cement.

It may not make it cut proof but I think it would be awful hard on sawzall blades.


You may not be able to stop thieves, but you can sure slow them down.

Make it easier to steal someone elses.

[bobbyr]

nice job!!!

theives are what they are they dont like to work for their money or they would have a job. their is know way to make anything full proof. but i think his idea has great merit. they would be more likely to steal the one next door than the one with the cage around it. just for the fact they would not have to make as much noise and like i said above they would not have to work to get it. now if they steal all of the rest of the ones in the area. they would probly steel that one to but i bet it would be last.