Stack Security

[Forrest Anderson]

From the Metabo stable is their "Code!" system, which is based on a keyfob transmitting a disable/enable code to a power tool. Although it doesn't stop someone stealing the tool, if it was disabled when it was left lying around, the thief won't be able to use it. Or at least that's the theory!

Seehttp://www.metabo.co.uk/Features.5013.0.html andhttp://www.metabo.co.uk/Applications.5012.0.html for an explanation.

Two reviews are in New Woodworking and Professional Builder.

Forrest

 

[Fred West]

I have five loaded pistols and three dogs one of whom is a very protective Shepherd. Still purchased replacement insurance as well just in case. ) Fred

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I like both that disable system of Metabo and the tracking device of DeWalt.  Hopefully, Festool is thinking about this issue as we are.  I recall that coding was earlier discussed on FOG.

Dave R.

 

[gkeas]

I was sort of looking for a home security solution when I started this thread. My dealer took delivery of  MANY sysports yesterday, but at 1k apiece, I think it might be a while before I get even one, and I need three.

Perhaps you could build homemade sysports as others have, then put a locking mechanism across the fronts. 

 

[mysterium]

Perhaps you could build homemade sysports as others have, then put a locking mechanism across the fronts. 

A friend of mine who is a retired Chief of Police says "locks only keep honest people honest..."

We are 40 years past the 50's America where no one locked their doors..., or kept their car keys in the ignition so they'd know where they where at.... , or go for a walk down town at night....

Today the Cops spend 90 plus % of their time on less than 10% of the population....  it's the same ones over  & over causing the problems... the crimes... the thefts.....  To buffer yourself you end up with an alarm service, or if you have enough $$$ your living in a gated community.  So the 10% ends up feeding on the lower end of the middle class.  And we all end up paying higher insurance costs as a result. 

If this trend continues...what do you think America will be like in another 40 years?

jim

 

[Eli]

Today the Cops spend 90 plus % of their time on less than 10% of the population....  it's the same ones over  & over causing the problems... the crimes... the thefts.....  To buffer yourself you end up with an alarm service, or if you have enough $$$ your living in a gated community.  So the 10% ends up feeding on the lower end of the middle class.  And we all end up paying higher insurance costs as a result. 

If this trend continues...what do you think America will be like in another 40 years?

jim

Beijing. With a little bit of Chile. Except for the Rocky Mountain area, that goes a bit Austrian.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

If this trend continues...what do you think America will be like in another 40 years?

jim

Jim,

I think USA is well on its way to becoming essentially a lawless society, led by the continuing failure of USA federal government to enforce laws against illegal immigrants, and those who assist them, for example, banks doing business with them including grant of no down payment housing loans without obtaining a social security number.  The increasingly prevalent modis operandi seems to be: If it feels good, just do it.  If I see it and I want it, I should just take it.  Fraud, theft and corruption are rampant, and increasing in my estimation.  Mayors and their police forces seem more interested in pursuing infractions of the law that are relatively easy, non-threatening to themselves, and generate $ for the city, county or state coffers, e.g. traffic ticketing schemes in which some private contractor "donates" use of camera or radar or lidar equipment in exchange for a portion of the revenue, rather than dealing with real crimes that threaten people.  In my city they extended one of those camera based revenue sharing deals under the guise of improving safety around school zones.  Yet in the school zone nearest my home, they refuse to adjust the existing traffic light to continue to operate after rush hours, and despite there having been multiple accidents and multiple requests from residents to keep that light working longer hours or installation of sensors to trigger function of the light.  And they let parents of these elementary school students park their cars and SUVs illegally which further reduces students' safety because neither pedestrians nor drivers can see sufficiently at the intersections that surround the school.  And if you confront my city's mayor about such matters, you might get punched or a well worded (explitive) reply, or one that is moderate and well reasoned.  Recently I missed some turns while on my way to the Cleveland Rockler's store and ended up driving through several expansive areas on 4-6 lane streets that looked like they were once booming light industrial areas but today included crowded trailer parks, many overgrown parking lots, and mostly unused street fronting buildings.  A movie maker could create a modern version of the Grapes of Wrath using what I saw for the sets.  Rockler's did not yet have their Festool collection on display.  It did appear they had a decent amount of shelving and wall space dedicated to doing so.

Dave R.

 

[iggy07]

The Metabo Code might prevent thefts from dishonest co-workers, delivery people, etc., but how many crack-heads are going to know that the tool is not going to work after they fence it?

I would not get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that the SOB thief could not use the tools. They're still gone! The main point is, [size=14pt]I cannot use them either, if I don't have them anymore!

Ed Gallaher

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I thought of this thread tonight when I came across a story of a Woodcraft store in Indiananapolis which was being constantly burgled. The intruders were targetting the store's Festool collection, and after five break-ins during the summer, the owner decided to use DeWalt's DS500 MobileLock GPS system to track the tools if they were stolen again. There is also a video.

Forrest

 

[rodwolfy]

Another option that might work is LowJack. I'm not sure of the details, as I haven't looked into it though:

We had a laptop stolen a couple of months ago. The owner had a Lowjack system installed on it. When the item was (when an item is...) reported stolen, the stolen status will make a signal go out to activate the Lowjack as a beacon. Patrol cars have a series of antennas on their cars that can help locate where the signal is coming from. We found the stolen laptop a few hours later in the possession of someone...

I think OnStar has a small transmitter too. Motorola phones have a locating device in them, so when it's activated, they can locate where you are to within a few feet with a GPS signal. We had a woman go missing for several days and they checked her Motorola GPS signal and found her within a few hours upside down in a gulch. As I'm not up on electrical engineering, I don't know if there is an independent power requirement on these devices. They are obviously small and getting smaller. I think that within a few years, you'll likely be able to get something the size of a quarter and put it in a systainer to track it down.

They already have radiofrequency diodes that cost about a penny and can be sewn into the fabric of a shirt. When the shirts go into a store's inventory, they can tell how many of what size and style just by scanning the RF diodes. They can also track consumers that come back into the store at a later date by registering the RF Diodes at the entrance (kind of like Cookies on your computer!).

One of the biggest ways to make items identifiable and to possibly get them back.... Record your tools with their serial numbers and with photographs. You would be amazed at the number of people that don't even record this information. They will have a garage full of tools stolen and not even have the serial number for their $500 SCMS! A second major deterent is to inscribe (not just paint) an identifiable number into your tool. Here in Washington, it's recommended that you inscribe your driver's license number. Any pawnshop owner will have second thoughts about taking something that is inscribed. If the inscription is filed or rubbed out, then that will also cause some angst or trepidation.

Rod