What To Use

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EDR

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Hi I have to make a 2 door unit to make to store valuable equipment in so I am wondering what to use. Should I go with 18mm plywood or 18mm MDF. What should I do regarding doors they are 400mm wide by 1500mm high so should I double sheet or just brace around the edges and cross brace and also what should i use for the lock and hinges as these need to be able to keep somebody with a crowbar out. Grateful for any advice received.
 
Steel would be my choice if security is such an issue.
The cordless tools have become a burglars friend. I've heard of a few sheds being broken into by cutting through the side walls, not even bothering with the doors and windows.
 
For the size you want I'd look for something second hand in steel then reinforce it. It probably wouldn't cost you more than a sheet of 18mm ply anyway. Nothing you make in ply or MDF will be anything like thief proof.
 
When you say 'valuable equipment' I think it all depends on how valuable it is (to you, your insurers, a thief). It also depends on whether you want fire protection as well.

I wouldn't put anything particularly precious in a timber cabinet. I'd only use a steel cabinet that was designed with security in mind (e.g. protected hinges, bolted down etc).

One relatively inexpensive option would be a steel cabinet designed for gun/ammunition storage e.g. https://www.safe.co.uk/products/phoenix ... -safe.html

Further down the curve you could look at these people's well made cabinets: http://www.safeoptions.co.uk/garden-too ... ic-cabinet

Or if you feel the need for more, then stuff like this: http://www.chubb-safe.co.uk/cabinets/se ... inets.html

Cheers, W2S
 
Thanks for the replies this is for a customer and it has to be made on site with little room don't think steel as welding on site isn't a option it would be more for keeping out the opportunist thief out.
 
I can't see MDF or ply standing up to a crowbar. Is there an option to put a metal box or safe inside the cupboard?




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I wouldn't suggest building a steel box on site - get an off-the-shelf size/design or get one made up offsite by a steel fabricator.

It sounds as if you need to be clear with your customer what level of security is achievable with timber (not much!) and see what they say.

Cheers, W2S
 
Slightly off topic:

I needed a safe to store iPhones and iPads at work. Our property guy said he'd get one. When it arrived I thought it wasn't good enough £50 job. So I ordered a Yale one at about £250. I installed the Yale and bolted it to the floor. We still had the cheap one so I put that in the same room (small store room) in a very obvious position. I used some gorilla glue to stick it to the ply shelf. I then used an old cardboard box on top of the Yale safe to hide it and put some junk on top. When we did get a break in they attacked the £50 safe and completely ignored the cardboard box with the Yale in it. They didn't manage to get into the £50 safe anyway, shame really as they'd have found a photo of me with a caption saying better luck next time!


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