Security Screws

[Tim Streater]

We've just had some work done here that involves a lock mounted in a wooden beam (prolly 6 x 6 ins or so). However from the outside this is mounted in a metal plate that is screwed to the beam using ordinary screws. Seems to me that Chummy could just undo the screws, remove the lock, and gain access.

Security screws come to mind, but then again if they are two-way and Chummy has the right screwdriver I'm no better off. Should I be looking for one-way screws? How, in extremis, would one then gain access?

[Andy Burns]

Weld some nuts to the back of the metal plate, countersink holes in the beam to take them, then use bolts from the inside?

[Tim Streater]

Nice suggestion :-)

However, I only noticed this issue after the work was completed, and there is now some gubbins on the other side that would preclude access from that side (for me to follow your suggestion, I mean). However, I should look at it again just in case that gubbins could be easily removed temporarily.

[Lee]

Security coach screws, the type with a snap-off hex head which leaves a dome. Though a quick Google search doesn't present any local suppliers...

Angle grinder or hacksaw to remove, if necessary.

[Jonno]

Tim Streater scribbled

[Lee]

These things:

Although looking for that image I found this:

Which seems interesting.

[David Lang]

What are the chances of chummy having a star-pin-button driver? Or even knowing what one is?

[stuart noble]

A copper once told me that, with opportunist thieves, speed is of the essence. Undoing a load of screws would take too long and probably leaver them visible for too long. You could always wreck the slots and hope that "in extremis" never happens.

[Sam Plusnet]

As advertised on that page, chummy could obtain "Security HSS Bit Set 33Pcs" for five squid - or less if he manages to nick them.

[Jonno]

stuart noble scribbled

Screwdriver slots full of paint have caused me no end of problems over the years.

[Robin]

Cover them with silicone or, better, tar? Chummy then can't even see without effort what he needs to undo them.

Admittedly I don't know what chummy's universal opener (a.k.a. a cordless angle grinder ) does when it meets silicone or tar; and I don't intend to experiment.

[Tim Streater]

Yeah. We got done over last Feb so may be being a bit paranoid now. They were certainly in/out v. quick then - went for the jools and left cameras, TV, computer, etc.

[Tim Streater]

Think I got a kit like that for taking the vacuum cleaner to bits.

[Nightjar]

Tack weld the screws to the plate. Angle grinder to remove. If the burglar has one of those, the plate will probably yield, no matter how you secure it.

[dennis]

The pip will break off easily if you prod it with a screwdriver if you only have a torx driver.

[David Lang]

But what are the chances? Almost zero.

Chummy would simply move on. The average burglar has a IQ slightly lower than a gerbil.

[michael adams]

In the situation described, the screwheads seem to be an invitation in themselves. Can't they be hidden behind another plate stuck on top or filled in and the whole plate painted over? Unless a burglar is going to go around checking everywhere for hidden screws then there's probably no need for particularly robust adhesive or filler in such a situation. So that in extremis, there should be no problem in gaining access - but only for those who already knew the concealed screws were there.

michael adams

...

[F Murtz]

I made a screw driver which will remove most of those.

[Jonno]

F Murtz scribbled

Have you ever seen a burglar carrying around a tool kit?

[Tim Streater]

That the burglar with the bag marked "swag", the striped jersey and the raccoon mask? Does he have a bag (y'know, like the old-fashioned doctor's bag) marked "burglar's toolkit"?