As my collection of machine tools and other toys continues to grow I thought it was time to make my shop a bit more secure. Using material I had on hand I built a lockable security bar for the two personnel doors. Here are a few pictures that show what I did.
My shop is a pole barn so I was able to anchor the cross bar with 1/4" x 6" long lag bolts into the 6" x 6" vertical poles. The doors and frame are steel.
The cross bar is 3/4" x 1-1/2" channel. I welded a 5/8" spacer on the bottom of the cross bar at each anchor point to center the cross bar vertically in the anchor. This essentially blocks access to the lag bolts from the front.
I used 2" x 3" x .120" wall tubing for the anchor points. The four visible holes are for access to the lag bolts with a socket. I welded a cap on the left side to keep the cross bar from sliding further to the left. If you look close you can see a piece of flat bar on the right end of the anchor that fills the gap between the cross bar and rectangular tube. There is no way to access the lag bolts except by removing the cross bar.
I bought this Master padlock at Lowe's. You will notice there's no room to use a bolt cutter. Take the lock off and slide the cross bar to the right to unlock and open the door.
The right side anchor has a piece welded in each end to take up the space between the cross bar and anchor. Again, the cross bar and the welded in pieces on each end block access to the lag bolts when the cross bar is in place.
The cross bar height is such that it covers the door lock mechanism. There's no way to use a lock pick. If someone wants to break in they will have to bring a torch or a sawsall.
I am now sleeping better at night.
Tom S
My shop is a pole barn so I was able to anchor the cross bar with 1/4" x 6" long lag bolts into the 6" x 6" vertical poles. The doors and frame are steel.
The cross bar is 3/4" x 1-1/2" channel. I welded a 5/8" spacer on the bottom of the cross bar at each anchor point to center the cross bar vertically in the anchor. This essentially blocks access to the lag bolts from the front.
I used 2" x 3" x .120" wall tubing for the anchor points. The four visible holes are for access to the lag bolts with a socket. I welded a cap on the left side to keep the cross bar from sliding further to the left. If you look close you can see a piece of flat bar on the right end of the anchor that fills the gap between the cross bar and rectangular tube. There is no way to access the lag bolts except by removing the cross bar.
I bought this Master padlock at Lowe's. You will notice there's no room to use a bolt cutter. Take the lock off and slide the cross bar to the right to unlock and open the door.
The right side anchor has a piece welded in each end to take up the space between the cross bar and anchor. Again, the cross bar and the welded in pieces on each end block access to the lag bolts when the cross bar is in place.
The cross bar height is such that it covers the door lock mechanism. There's no way to use a lock pick. If someone wants to break in they will have to bring a torch or a sawsall.
I am now sleeping better at night.
Tom S