Kapex Theft Prevention

[Arthur]

Hi  I am about to pull the trigger and buy a Kapex.  The Bosch Glide is my second choice but doesnt have the quality feel that I have noticed with Festool.  I have spent more time reviewing a SCMS than I did in purchasing my present home.  One of my biggest considerations is theft on the Jobsite.    Any comments or suggestions on anything you have done to prevent theft of your saw would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[semenza]

Hi Arthur,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

I am sure you will get some useful advice here. Nothing better than taking it home with you, but site security systems do exist , and I have even seen GPS trackers suggested to aid in recovery.

Seth

 

[Eli]

The best compromise I've come up with is a full steel bulkhead and grills on the windows of the van.

 

[vwdave]

I take my kapex and most of Festools home daily. I'll sometimes leave the ct and UG wings, but I don't want to risk my kapex. I'm interested if anyone has any security tips.

On some huge jobs ill put a deadbolt on a closet door and store some tools inside during the workweek, but again taking my most valuable tools with me.

Dave

 

[jmbfestool]

In the uk we don't need anti theft for new festool tools [big grin]. We get free insurance with festool.   [tongue]

Jmb

 

[Brice Burrell]

I don't if there is anything that will work 100% but if I have to leave a saw on the job in an iffy location a job box would be my first choice.  If not I'll chain it to something secure if possible or to another large tool like the table saw. 

 

[RJNeal]

Welcome Arthur to the FOG.
One of the main reason I bought my Kapex was it size and weight , so I could take it home with me. It fits in the back seat of an extended cab pickup
For 18 month we did a remolded job in San Francisco.. We had to leave some tools at the job site each night, due to car pool van size. Some of the carpenters left as is whee is, some put them in corners. I figured they were bait tools. Take the tools and run. I hide most of them. Behind things, on ceiling rafters, and the Kapex was hidden behind boxes, insulation, trash piles, etc
Good luck.
Rj

 

[ajones]

In the uk we don't need anti theft for new festool tools [big grin]. We get free insurance with festool.   [tongue]

Jmb

It will still cost u a £100 per item

 

[peter halle]

I try to not leave my Festools on site.  I will never leave my Kapex, I had to save up quite a while to satisfy that desire.  Granted, this year I finally insured my Festools and other expensive power tools at full replacement costs, but I still worry when they are further away than my driveway.

Peter

 

[jmbfestool]

In the uk we don't need anti theft for new festool tools [big grin]. We get free insurance with festool.   [tongue]

Jmb

It will still cost u a £100 per item

yeah excess but still £800+ tool used for over 2 years and gets stolen seems a cheap then [tongue]

 

[Wooden Lungs]

I have a personal rule when it comes to tools.

Always split them up.

I have tools left on-site, tools in my Van, tools borrowed to good friends and tools in my garage also I have tools in a secret lock up.

This way I never have all my tools in one place.

To lose all my tools would practically ruin me.

So they would have to go to several locations to do that which is impossible.

 

[Scott B.]

I have a personal rule when it comes to tools.

Always split them up.

I have tools left on-site, tools in my Van, tools borrowed to good friends and tools in my garage also I have tools in a secret lock up.

This way I never have all my tools in one place.

To lose all my tools would practically ruin me.

So they would have to go to several locations to do that which is impossible.

Same here. Its like famous families that never put the whole family on the same airline flight. Or my uncle Harry who never kept all his money in one bank.

 

[Kevin D.]

I wonder if sticking Hells Angels stickers on each tool would act as a deterent?  [eek]

Or how about "For Leprosy Crew Member Use ONLY"  [scared]

Make sure you leave the lights on for ease of reading if you do.  [big grin]

 

[Arthur]

Wow!  What a great bunch of people Festool Owners are.  I was pleasantly surprised with all of the responses.  My son and I are going to the Festool Dealer near me tomorrow morning, in part due to the awesome support I am going to receive being a part of this community.  The other factor is the time I have spent researching these products against the usual offerings. 

I am purchasing the Kapex, the CT 36 dust extractor, a Carvex (for coping base) and the Plunge saw and rail and accompanying work benches.  Merry Christmas to me.  I can easily fit all this kit in the back of my shortbox pickup and take it home with me.  Being able to use these tools inside a customers home during the COLD Canadian winter months is more than worth the expense. 

I have spent more $$$ on accessories for my Motorcycle than the total cost of these tools. 

I fail to understand why some of the threads I have read here have folks complaining about the cost of obviously well crafted tools that make them money.

What I forgot to ask is do any of you have security for your tools while working on a busy site....I was thinking of drilling #4 screws into studs and affixing cables.  Its rumoured that many thefts on Canadian jobsites are committed by professional tool thieves who take advantage of job site confusion.

Again Thanks for taking the time to respond and I look forward to being an active participant in the Festool World!!

 

[Eli]

The problem with a really busy site is that as soon as the Kapex is set up around more than two carpenters it becomes the tool of choice, which means people won't set up their own. I make it clear that it's mine, they can try it, but it isn't for general use, if they like the experience they can buy one, I'm happy to tell them my choice of dealers.

I prefer smaller jobs, I don't like a site where there might be someone I haven't seen.

 

[jmbfestool]

The problem with a really busy site is that as soon as the Kapex is set up around more than two carpenters it becomes the tool of choice, which means people won't set up their own. I make it clear that it's mine, they can try it, but it isn't for general use, if they like the experience they can buy one, I'm happy to tell them my choice of dealers.

I prefer smaller jobs, I don't like a site where there might be someone I haven't seen.

Same here!  Hate it when joiners on large sites just use your tools.  I avoid these kinda sites.  Small jobs is what I prefer I have control what happens and dont have to worry about my tools.

I dont mind when working with mates and we use each others tools on the same job.

 

[Deansocial]

The problem with a really busy site is that as soon as the Kapex is set up around more than two carpenters it becomes the tool of choice, which means people won't set up their own. I make it clear that it's mine, they can try it, but it isn't for general use, if they like the experience they can buy one, I'm happy to tell them my choice of dealers.

I prefer smaller jobs, I don't like a site where there might be someone I haven't seen.

Same here!   Hate it when joiners on large sites just use your tools.  I avoid these kinda sites.  Small jobs is what I prefer I have control what happens and dont have to worry about my tools.

I dont mind when working with mates and we use each others tools on the same job.

Is that why you 'forget it' when i come?

 

[Arthur]

Just setup my Kapex and CT 36...........wow  what a great piece of gear.  Haven't been this excited about a tool.  Wait till my wife gets home and see's it setup in our new kitchen. 

 

[Eli]

The problem with a really busy site is that as soon as the Kapex is set up around more than two carpenters it becomes the tool of choice, which means people won't set up their own. I make it clear that it's mine, they can try it, but it isn't for general use, if they like the experience they can buy one, I'm happy to tell them my choice of dealers.

I prefer smaller jobs, I don't like a site where there might be someone I haven't seen.

Same here!   Hate it when joiners on large sites just use your tools.  I avoid these kinda sites.  Small jobs is what I prefer I have control what happens and dont have to worry about my tools.

I dont mind when working with mates and we use each others tools on the same job.

Is that why you 'forget it' when i come?

[thumbs up]

 

[Eli]

Welcome Arthur, if it hasn't been said before!  [big grin]

It has, I noticed, but welcome anyway from me!