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Discussion Forum

When ya think it can’t get any worse….

dieselpig | Posted in General Discussion on February 9, 2009 06:03am

Someone drives off with your loaded tool trailer.  Yep… this morning was that morning I’d hoped never happened.  But it did.  I’m guessing I just took about a $20K to $22K hit that I really can’t absorb.  I hope Uncle Sam can wait this year   Let’s see how well the insurance companies can screw me next.

Lord help them if I find out who it was. 

View Image


Edited 2/9/2009 10:04 am ET by dieselpig

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  1. husbandman | Feb 09, 2009 06:20pm | #1

    Oh man. That really stinks. So sorry hear you got hit.

    Maybe it can be recovered. Keep up hope.

  2. DavidxDoud | Feb 09, 2009 06:21pm | #2

    I am so sorry, Brian - I was just thinking yesterday as I shut down the shop what a blow it would be to lose my tools

    good luck with that insurance adjuster - file your extension and uncle sam can wait several months -

    so sorry....

    "there's enough for everyone"
    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 09, 2009 06:35pm | #5

      Thanks David.  What a punch to the gut.  It's the little things that are rolling around in my brain.... killing me.  Like the 10" Makita slider.... we really don't even use it much anymore now that we've got (had) the big DW 12" with the custom table.  But I needed that Makita so bad when I was first starting out.  I saved for a YEAR to buy that thing and I was so proud of it back then.  Or all the little jigs and what-not we've built over the years as solutions to freqent problems... they're probably in a dumpster somewhere.  Or that killer assortment of SS screws I had.... I always had the right screw for the job.... probably took 3 years to build that collection.   Or the toolbox that could fix everything.... it had plug ends, air fittings, clips, brackets, tape, crimp connectors, saw cords, nail gun parts, etc.  How the heck do you replace that? 

      I'm finishing up my list now... of what was taken... it's staggering to see on paper what was in there.  Total of 8 Stabila levels... two of them 12' plate levels.  My Sawhelper Ultra Fence that I debated buying for like 5 years.  Multiples of stick nailers, coil nailers, siding nailers.  Multiple recips. Brand new Dewalt table saw. My Kreg jig.  Two sliders and one CMS.  Radios.... most of the guy's belts.... about 1000' of Flex eel.... another 1000' of 12ga..... two 690 routers and a Speedmatic.... a brand new $300 rt angle drill, air manifolds, electrical spiders, finish nailers and staplers, hammer drill with dozens of bits.... my ENTIRE router bit collection,  $500 Stihl with a Headcutter, TWO 20 gallon 5.5HP gas Rol-Air compresssors, on the racks were three 24' alumapoles, two 24' stages, four 16' staging planks.... it goes on and on.

      I'm sick. Somewhere between tears and homicide.

      View Image

      Edited 2/9/2009 10:37 am ET by dieselpig

      Edited 2/9/2009 6:54 pm ET by dieselpig

      Edited 2/9/2009 6:54 pm ET by dieselpig

      1. und76xx | Feb 09, 2009 07:02pm | #10

        I cannot imagine how that loss must feel. Or, how it will effect your business. If you have receipts get them out and record them. If you have pictures of projects where you might also have a tool in the picture get them out also. Most insurance companies require a police report before they will process a claim. Plus most cops work on outside projects that in some respect parallel your profession - they would love to find a tool thief. I cannot imagine much of a market for personal tools - or jigs for than matter. So, keep your eye on e-Bay, your local paper and Craig's List. If you think you have found the items undercover officers LOVE to act as potential buyers. Not good to go yourself. The detective might give you other similar case names and you can all work together to catch these scumbagsTo take one's personal possessions is not tolerable. You work - and save - and add to your business. Then another thinks it belongs to him because he has the guts to steal? Didn't they used to shoot horse thieves?From experience I have had to deal - on numerous occasions - with insurance adjusters. They will attempt to low-ball you just to get the claim settled. They will even act indignant that you are such a jerk as to not accept the first offer. Don't buy the program. If necessary hire an attorney to defend your claim. If you win - at least in my state - your attorney bills are recoverable from the insurance company.Best of luck. I hope another door open quickly for you - that is what the pundants say happens after a fall.Mike

      2. cliffy | Feb 09, 2009 07:54pm | #19

        Ouch. I was just leaving you a post in the other thread and saw this. That really hurts. 

        Good luck finding the trailer, keep your eyes and ears open it could surface.

        Cliffy

      3. Waters | Feb 09, 2009 11:10pm | #37

        That is A LOT of $hit to make 'disappear' in any short order.  Be sure the cops are notified, neighboring cities, pawn shops for sure.

        All it takes is one item identified with one individual and it might all come back to you.

        Good luck. 

        Sorry to hear of it.

        Pat 

      4. calvin | Feb 10, 2009 02:36am | #50

        I know it's a long shot, but post a picture of the trailer.

        Sure they'd have covered the logo etc, but you never know.  Might just lead to the culprit.  Even with a new paint job-something like the wheels might just might do it.

        As with all the rest, sorry and plenty pissed off you have to go through this.

        edit:  Next time I'll read clear through, but I thought the number of posts daunting after returning from work. 

        Best of luck Brian.

        A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        http://www.quittintime.com/

         

        Edited 2/9/2009 6:47 pm ET by calvin

      5. alwaysoverbudget | Feb 10, 2009 07:30am | #64

        going to throw this at ya,i used to be in the car bussiness,getting a car stolen is all part of it,but i,not the police found everyone of them within a week [some not so good of shape] so i was lucky.

        if you can drive through apartment complexes parking lots,it's a great place to park something and no one really knows who's it is.out of 6 cars i lost 5 were in parking lots at apartment complexs. a car is a little different deal,but so much of the time this is some 19 year old who can'ttake his goods home to mom and dads place.

        best story i have is a van is stolen out of garage,so they load it with tools and go. i find the van about 6 -7 days later parked,it was full of 4 other peoples stuff that they had stolen. used my van for a storage shed!! YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.

      6. mike585 | Feb 10, 2009 04:15pm | #73

        Check this morning's Boston craigslist tools.   Could be coincidental but worth checking out.

      7. EJCinc | Feb 10, 2009 06:07pm | #77

        OK they got the trailer and tools (breathing deep)

        But tell me they didn't touch the telehandler!!  Is she in a safe spot where they can't come back and get her?  Do you want me to take her for a while and keep her out of harms way? 

         

        Really sorry to hear about the trailer.Legal Disclaimer: The preceeding comments are for entertainment purposes only and are in no way to be construed as professional advice. The reader of these comments agrees to hold harmless the poster, EJCinc, from any and all claims that EJCinc offered professional advice, ideas, or comments to the reader that may or may not have resulted in the damage, injury, or death to the readers property or person.

    2. pghdan | Feb 09, 2009 08:00pm | #22

      I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time) but I think an extension to file is just

      that....it doesn't extend the time you have to pay.  If you owe money it needs to be

      paid by the due date or penaltys will be assessed.

       

      Dan

      1. DavidxDoud | Feb 09, 2009 08:35pm | #25

        good point..."there's enough for everyone"

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 09, 2009 09:19pm | #29

          I appreciate the support from all of you.  It does help some.  I'm starting to get over the shock of it all.  It was pretty raw when I originally posted.  I've made my phone calls and done what I can for now.  It's pretty much out of my hands from here on so I'm trying to just accept it and let it go.  I have little faith in the cops doing much about it.  The trailer is lettered all over with my logo and it's registered... pretty tough to get rid of.  I imagine it'll turn up empty and trashed somewhere and the cops will call and tell me about it and feel good about themselves for having solved the case.

          And my insurance agent was pretty straight with me.  "Got receipts?"  Yup. " Good because they're going to make you jump through hoops to get some money back. "  So I'm prepared for that.  If I could recover even 10G out of this mess I'd be a whole lot better off.  The trailer had full coverage itself... so I'm hoping to get a little back on that.  And I have a $13K add-on to my liability policy that 'should' cover some of the tools.  We'll see.  Like I said, I'll do my part and do what I can.... but like most of the rest of life.... I'm probably pretty much on my own.

          And I very much appreciate the offers of support from all of you.... your gestures of good will will not be forgotten.  But I can't accept any of them.  I need to get a seven man crew up and running in the next couple of days with at least the basics.  So I've got a list faxed over to my tool guy and he's working on it now.  I'm grateful that I at least have the cash on hand needed to keep the ship afloat for now.

          I'm hoping that lessons learned through this will eventually have more value than the items I've lost.  It's the best I can do for now. 

          Pretty much everyone is in agreement that it was stolen by somebody who has worked on the site recently.  The site has it's own gated and chained access road.  Only one way in or out.  You can't/couldn't see the trailer without driving down the road, through the access gates, and onto the site.  The thief(s) cut the locks on the gate, backed directly up to my trailer, smashed the coupler lock off, and drove away.  There were table saws (not mine) compressors, etc set up out in the open inside the open frame building.  Nothing else was touched.  This was not a crime of opportunity in the sense of someone driving by and happening to see the trailer.  Someone knew the trailer was there and went straight for it.  Most suspect someone in the giant roofing crew who started on Monday.  Aside from them, there really hasn't been any subs there up to this point.... a couple of material salesman and a few guys starting the sprinkler system... but that's it.

          In the end.... it's my fault.  I shouldn't have put my business or my well-being in such a vulnerable position.  Yes, the trailer could have been stolen out of my own driveway... but the likelihood is much less.View Image

          1. alias | Feb 09, 2009 09:26pm | #30

            Man... what a heart break. I'll spare you any platitudes, i sincerly hope you get some if not all of them back. Your a decent hard working guy, karma will prevail( is that a platitude??), Best of Luck

          2. DickRussell | Feb 09, 2009 09:41pm | #31

            Do you have a pic of the trailer you can post here? You never know, someone here withing driving distance could spot it. Even if it's been unloaded already, just locating it sooner might help the investigation. A trailer parked somewhere might not attract attention to anyone who doesn't know about it.I kind of lean toward the horse thief theory of punishment. If you find out who did it, I hope it's a very "satisfying" occasion.

          3. frammer52 | Feb 09, 2009 10:48pm | #36

            Sorry Brian.  Man that just sucks!

          4. Piffin | Feb 10, 2009 02:29pm | #66

            I'm just finding this and not finished reading the thread yet.you always impress me with the way you man up to things, but don't cut yourself off from help when offered. Sometimes it does the giver more good than it does the receiver, and that bond of friendship is worth more than the gift.So here I am with an extra chop saw ( DW 705 12" twelve years old) a sawsall, maybe a jigsaw... and who knows what else, that I can send you. ( been mulling it in my head and listing some things while reading)meanwhile, I'm wondering how many guys will be getting Lojack after reading this thread. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          5. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 10, 2009 03:18pm | #69

            Yeah, I have some extra air hose and hammer tackers, a spare PC fin. nailer and a Bos. Stick framer..stuff I could send to Mass. w/out killer shipping.

            We need a new thread.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

  3. DanH | Feb 09, 2009 06:33pm | #3

    Stinks. Trust me, I know that feeling in the pit of your stomach.

    I wish you good luck with the cops and the ins co.

    The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
  4. mwgaines | Feb 09, 2009 06:33pm | #4

    Wow, that's a bummer. I had a vehicle stolen once. I spent most of the day riding around in my other car hoping I would spot it somewhere. Amazingly I did! At a McDonalds drive-thru! The person driving it wasn't the thief (amusing side story there), but the thief was arrested later that day. The car was unhurt. The guy who stole it was just drunk and needed a way home.

    New knowledge is priceless. 

    Used knowledge is even more valuable.

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Feb 09, 2009 06:44pm | #6

    damn...

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  6. User avater
    G80104 | Feb 09, 2009 06:47pm | #7

    Dam thiefs!

    Hope they get caught!

    Check the local Pawn Shops!

    1. brownbagg | Feb 10, 2009 02:49pm | #67

      Check the local Pawn Shops!we had a break in and found the tools at a pawn shop, we had the numbers and everything. Cops refuse to do anything because the pawn shop was local and we was from out of town. "Just claim it on your insurance"

  7. 43Billh | Feb 09, 2009 06:54pm | #8

    My condolences.

    Not much lower form of scum than a tool thief!! The whole idea is enough to bring out an honest guy's dark side.

    1. DanH | Feb 09, 2009 07:07pm | #11

      Agreed. Stealing tools is stealing someone's livelihood. About as low as you can go.
      The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

  8. dovetail97128 | Feb 09, 2009 06:57pm | #9

    That hurts. BTDT in terms of losing stuff to theives.

    If I can toss a few things your way I have some extra stuff now since I am getting to old to be hands on with some stuff.

    Be old and used but would beat a dull hand saw and cloth apron and 6' tape.
    Post a list of what can get you started again.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
  9. seeyou | Feb 09, 2009 07:07pm | #12

    Aw man. That sucks.

    Unfortunately, that's a symptom of slow times.

    All I can say is I hope they catch 'em before they get the trailer unloaded.  Everytime I've gotten hit, I start remembering stuff I forgot I had months after the theft.

    http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

    1. CCI | Feb 09, 2009 07:20pm | #13

      In the interest of helping someone else with your bad fortune - everyone with a trailer or van or tool shop should TODAY go and take some digital photos.  When my house was robbed several years ago it took months to realize everything that was missing.  The insurance co. would much prefer to cut you one check and not have you keep adding to the list.

      A photo record is worth its weight in gold in case of fire or theft.

      1. seeyou | Feb 09, 2009 07:47pm | #18

        That's good advice - I've got photos, but they're a year or two old - I think I'll re-shoot them later today.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

  10. hmj | Feb 09, 2009 07:22pm | #14

    Sorry, sorry, my worst nightmare realized(almost)... Maybe the insurance Co will cut you check up front to get you started again, like after a fire....

  11. mwgaines | Feb 09, 2009 07:32pm | #15

    I'm just a DIY'er, but I've got some stuff that might be useful to you. My skills are lacking and my health is declining. If I ever manage to finish this remodel I'm working on, I'll be happy to help you out in some way if I can. You guys sure have helped me a lot. It would be nice to turn that around for a change.

    New knowledge is priceless. 

    Used knowledge is even more valuable.

    1. User avater
      jagwah | Feb 09, 2009 07:39pm | #16

      Sorry to hear about your loss. You might start checking your local Craigslist or EBay you may find them there. Here's such a thing

      http://www.wftv.com/news/4240944/detail.html

      http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/banks_man_arrested_after_stole.html 

       

      1. seeyou | Feb 09, 2009 07:45pm | #17

        The last time I got hit, the police recovered my tools from a pawnshop in a nearby town. I was pretty impressed. They've started working that circuit pretty hard.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

        1. DavidxDoud | Feb 09, 2009 07:57pm | #21

          do you have all your tools marked with your identifier? - this makes me think about how I haven't been religious about engraving name and phone number on my newer purchases - "there's enough for everyone"

          1. seeyou | Feb 09, 2009 09:19pm | #28

            do you have all your tools marked with your identifier? -

            I haven't been real persistant about marking newer purchases, but most of my power tools seldom leave the shop anymore and the shop is right under my bedroom. All my stuff is marked "Stolen from Grant Logan" with my phone #.

            I just bought some bumper stickers with my logo and info to mark pics and ladders with. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          2. Hazlett | Feb 11, 2009 03:17pm | #132

            Grant--- where did you get the bumber stickers----?
            that's an excellent idea------- just bought several new ladders and another pic. on weds.stephen
            Edit:--- today is weds.--- bought the new stuff Mon.-- not that it matters.

            Edited 2/11/2009 7:20 am ET by Hazlett

          3. seeyou | Feb 11, 2009 03:53pm | #135

            http://www.makestickers.com/Stickers_Pricing.aspx

            I got 100. Had them in my hands in two days after ordering them. They're the type that won't come off in a single piece. You try to remove them, a little piece tears off the corner.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          4. User avater
            PaulBinCT | Feb 11, 2009 03:58pm | #136

            Awwwwwwwwwww jeeze Brian, I'm so sorry.  I haven't read through all the responses and I'm sure many others have offered but I have lots of duplicate tools and as slow as things are for me I surely can loan you a bunch, unfortunately probably for a good length of time ;)

            I'm not so far away, so if you want to talk about it, shoot me an email or give me a ring.  Hoping for a quick and fair settlement for you!

             PaulB

            http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com

            http://www.finecontracting.com

          5. Hazlett | Feb 12, 2009 01:45am | #161

            Grant-- my wife gotta Email over the weekend from one of our good friends----- Friends sister lives up in a nice older steetcar suburb of cleveland hears a dripping-- sounds like it is coming from inside the wall---ice dam! calls her roofer----- swears he is the BEST----- says guy has done ALL the best roofs up there for years and years------but now the guy is in jail--- on a murder rap did a roof----- customer doesn't pay--- roofer drinks a bit---- goes over to customers house to collect----- customer and roofer get into it----- roofer pulls out a gun--kills the customer----- roofer now in jail guess the roofer wasn't the BEST after all-- he sure isn't NOW, LOL.
            stephen

          6. Scrapr | Feb 12, 2009 02:30am | #162

            a roofer drinking?

             

            What's next painters????

             

            <G>

          7. restorationday | Feb 12, 2009 05:53am | #173

            Most of the painters I know don't drink... just smoke a lot of the wackiness or the occasional lite meth user but they never last long.

          8. seeyou | Feb 12, 2009 02:39am | #163

            Well, I don't have any handguns or my buddy would be mounted on my wall right now. I don't ever remember being that P/O'd in my life. I'm a pretty tolerant cat, but instead of just spending an hour finishing the job, he spend an hour lying to me and badgering me to pay him. When i wouldn't, he pawned my ladder with the attitude that I owed him. He's one of those guys that you can't pay anything 'til they're done or they'll never finish. But he serves a purpose - he's my catfish. He gladly does the jobs no one else wants.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          9. woody1777 | Feb 12, 2009 04:38am | #169

            he's my catfish. He gladly does the jobs no one else wants.

            LOL. I've known a few of those. Never heard it put quite like that though......Naive but refreshing !

          10. Piffin | Feb 12, 2009 06:15am | #174

            You hard on competition there boy 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        2. MSA1 | Feb 09, 2009 09:43pm | #32

          When my tools got ripped off, I was told that if they were found at a pawn shop and even if I could prove ownership, the best I might get woudl be a deal from the guy who bought them.

          They said they couldnt confisciate from a pawn shop.

          Real nice. No matter though cause I didnt get one thing back.

          Good thing I kept all my serial numbers......  

          Family.....They're always there when they need you.

    2. cliffy | Feb 09, 2009 07:56pm | #20

      You have some class!

      Have a good day

      CLiffy

  12. Dogmeat12 | Feb 09, 2009 08:03pm | #23

    Sorry about your lost tools. They are probably in a pawn shop as we speak. Check old photos of your work to jog your memorey of what tools you had. You'll be surprised how many you miss. Don't be surprised if the Ins. Company starts to ask around about how your business was doing and who you owed money to.

  13. User avater
    basswood | Feb 09, 2009 08:32pm | #24

    UUuugh!

    That is horrible news, Brian.

    Happened to me a dozen years ago (it was a company van--I was on a builders payroll, but the tools were mine).

    Builders insurance would not pay (my tools and van parked at my house) and my insurance did not want to pay (because of the company van my tools were stolen from). I had to keep going up the insurance ladder to get them to take a claim. They kept trying to discourage me and hoped I would go away.

    I was in limbo, without tools, but my boss was generous and helped me buy replacements 'til I got insurance to pay and paid him back.

    Sickening.

    I hope you get a break in the case,

    Brian

  14. migraine | Feb 09, 2009 09:01pm | #26

    I'm sorry for your loss.  Scares me silly thinking about coming home and my tools/equipment are missing.  Bad enough when you leave a tool in the truck, wake up in the middle of the night just to make sure I locked the truck door

    I'm wondering, what about some type of Lojack for your future trailer?

    I've been told that there are companies putting them on large equipment now a days.  Saw a COPS show 3-4 years ago where they tracked down a large industrial compressor in a guy's garage.  He told the cops he bought if for something like $1500.  They didn't arrest him right there, but said that they might get him later for receiving stolen property.

    After what you've have happen, maybe I won't be posting pictures about my shop or equipment...Including Craigslist

  15. Woodman41 | Feb 09, 2009 09:12pm | #27

    As was already mentioned, check Craigslist. Stolen tools are more likely to show up there than anywhere else, at least that's what the police told me when I got hit.

  16. MSA1 | Feb 09, 2009 09:48pm | #33

    Sorry to hear that. When it happened to me I was in shock for about 2 days.

    Strangley though I felt sorry for the trash that took the tools. Dont get me wrong, had I caught them in the act they would've been part of the underside of the basement floor, but after the fact, when I really thought about it, i figured it like this.

    In a year i'll be fine, this loser will look over his shoulder for the rest of his life. Even if he's never caught, he's always going to be looking behind him.

    It still seems strange to me that I felt this way but thats what came to mind as I was staggering around a cleaned out job site.

    Good luck finding your trailer.

     

    Family.....They're always there when they need you.

  17. User avater
    Nuke | Feb 09, 2009 10:05pm | #34

    Its times like this that I want to invent a mechanism that causes the thing to blow up and kill the thief.

  18. bobbys | Feb 09, 2009 10:14pm | #35

    I know exactly how you feel, Its a sick feeling.

    4 times i got ripped off, I know what its like to ponder and save for a tool.

    Whats strange is i had odd tools like all metal 6 and one half inch worm drives i had looked for years to find, No contractor here uses 6 and one half inch worm drives.

    I also had old metal routers set up for formica so i never had to take time to change bits..

    They maybe sold these tools for 10 bucks.

    7 guys??? Your busting your butt to bring work in and give jobs and have to fight this kind of stuff.

    Continue to fight the good fight

  19. Norman | Feb 10, 2009 12:26am | #38

    Put some ads on Craigslist looking to buy one (per ad) tool that got lifted. Different phony names and different phone #s and email addresses on each ad wouldn't hurt either. With any luck at all the FEOTDS (Far End of the Digestive System) will contact you.

  20. User avater
    dedhed6b | Feb 10, 2009 12:47am | #39

    Have you got any pictures,distinguishing markings? I am down on the south coast and would be glad to scrutinize any trailer I come across. I would save the castration for you.

    "Shawdow boxing the appoclipse and wandering the land"
    Wier/Barlow
    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 01:15am | #41

      Here's the trailer... not that I expect anyone will see it any time soon... but you never know, right?

      View ImageView Image

      1. frammer52 | Feb 10, 2009 01:41am | #42

        http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/1027725045.html

        Check this place out!

        Did you have a Dewault 705?  http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/tls/1027272918.html

        Edited 2/9/2009 5:45 pm ET by frammer52

      2. User avater
        Sphere | Feb 10, 2009 01:42am | #43

        I hate it for ya man.

        Just wondering, the next trailer...maybe can ya get a Lojack type device? I mean these days of GPS and all that, I'd think if it WAS available, your ins. rates should reflect that in lower premiums? Or , I'm all full of chit and trying to think positively for ya.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

         

        They kill Prophets, for Profits.

         

         

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 02:05am | #46

          No, you're not full of chit at all.  Believe me.... I've got more "coulda, shoulda, and woulda's" right now than I can handle.  I'm full of good ideas now that it's too late. 

          Now if I could just get this useless detective to call me back I'd be a whole lot happier.  Fricken ridiculous.  A tenant in the apartment building in front of the one I'm building saw three guys in a white pick-up with a white cap hitch up to the trailer and drive away at 5:00 this morning.  I've had this information since about 9am.... and they didn't even assign a detective until 3:30pm.  It's now almost 6pm and I still have yet to even have a conversation with this "detective".  Neither has the guy who actually saw it happen. 

          More of my tax dollars hard at work.View Image

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 10, 2009 02:13am | #48

            Go CSI and take yer own tire track impressions, and pictures and every clue you can find. Track down the roofers and who ever and compare your notes to thier stories. I'd be peering in garages and under tarps.

            When my shop was burnt , I had the bastid by the throat, and let him go.  Later the cops said "If somethig should suddenly happen to "John'' after this all blows over...we'll have forgot about you"  Yeah, Riiiight..like I believed that.

            He did happen to have a terrible string of "bad luck" for a few years..funny how that improved when I moved to KY.

             Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          2. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 10, 2009 03:31am | #51

                 Man I feel like I was just kicked in the gut. What a b1tch. I don't know what to say. I can't really say anything that hasn't been said by everyone else. I feel bad.

                Sphere's last bit of advice is pretty good except the evedince is pretty mucked up by now. I learned when my jeep got hit and run last summer. Cops get so calloused that your just better off doing as much as you can to help yourself.

               The only other advice I can give you is this. The Police don't arrest you for murder. They arrest you because you didn't clean up after yourself. They hate messes. Same goes for any other form of action against the d1ckheads.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          3. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 03:37am | #52

            Yeah... I'm back to bummin' out about this again.  It'll be nice to move past this debacle cuz it really feels rotten right now.   What horrible timing.  If I had half a brain I'd just cut my losses and walk away from this business all together right now.  Sadly... I don't.View Image

          4. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 10, 2009 04:02am | #54

                 I wouldn't let it run me out of business. But I also wouldn't let myself be foolish and get in over my head getting upright. (Well I probably would but your smarter then me)

                I'm not gonna be a moron and say don't let it get you down. It's a lot of pain and misery right now. Especially with all your guys depending on you. Where else can you work? Maybe it is a motivator for a career change?

                I don't think there's really any hidden meaning in it. An opportunity maybe. But it's some of the worst chit life can hand you. That's all it is. To steal your living away. To just drive off with it. That's the part I can't get over. I know how I am, and for a long time I'd be an emotional roller coaster. From stalking leads, to sitting in a chair in disbelief. It's just a bad deal all the way around. Everyone handles it differently.

                Catching the guys that did it would make a lot of it better. Just knowing who they are and where they are is some closer.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          5. JFRAMEBMF | Feb 10, 2009 04:13am | #55

            #### the cops .....they're ####' useless,3 times I got robbed and they didn't give a #### anytime till I caught the little crackheads myself,then they were a great help (sarcasm) after I caught the thieves and called the pigs they wanted to keep my tools as evidence,I bascally had to go off on the det. to get my tools back. The cops ended up taking photo inventory of my stuff and letting me have it.

            Hopefully you can do your own police work and catch these #### yourself

            GOOD LUCK

          6. User avater
            G80104 | Feb 10, 2009 06:01am | #59

            Just let us know we got extra worm drives & a few late model nailguns sitting idle, would be more then happy to send out as loaners. No strings attched. 

            Don't let the bottomfeeders bring you down!

            Keep posting your stolen goods anywhere you can, Craigs List, JLC, here etc. You would be surprise the power of the inter-net. Just 3 weeks back a skier who was going to the X-games who was also handicap, had special skis, had them Jacked at Steamboat. The Power of the net had them back to him & the Bottomfeeders paid the price in under a week.

            I get the feeling this willnot go unnoticed! & the BUMS will be caught!

            Edited 2/9/2009 10:03 pm by G80104

          7. User avater
            DDay | Feb 10, 2009 06:20am | #60

            We've talked before in threads, I'm in your old town. Where was this taken from? Also, you might want to talk to the BI in your old town, connolly and see if he might have some helpful information. He's a great guy, was in the biz for decades and one of the framers in town had the same thing happen about 4 years ago. I think the name was Doucet (spelling?), he lived on Rt 27 right near dairy queen. I never heard what happened with that situation.After that theft, he and the other framers in the area would block their trailers in with a construction forklift or something else unmovable. btw, I sent you an email

          8. User avater
            DDay | Feb 10, 2009 06:52am | #62

            One other thing that just popped in my head. Are there any commercial properties near by? Not even next door but on a main street that you need to travel on to get out of that neighborhood? Drive around and look for banks, auto dealers, businesses like that. See what they have for surveillance cameras. The technology is so inexpensive now and required or encouraged by insurance companies. If they have cameras that capture images of any traffic, you already know the general time and your trailer will show up very easily on the tapes. It's important that you check this out quickly though as many will have systems that lose the data after a certain period. I doubt you'll get an image of the license plate, but stranger things could happen, but you can get the make, year, etc. of the theft vehicle and what direction they were headed and that would give you a clue as to who might have done it.

          9. User avater
            Luka | Feb 10, 2009 06:59am | #63

            Good idea.Gas stations as well.May get lucky, if you check all the gas stations you can, for as big a radius as you can.They might even have stopped for gas, or coffee, gotten on the video, and if you're lucky, paid with a card...
            Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

          10. User avater
            DDay | Feb 10, 2009 03:44pm | #71

            I'm in his area too and Dunkin doughnuts is huge area here for coffee and breakfast stuff. Where it was that early in the morning, they could have also stopped at a DD, even better if its the drive thru. Most theifs aren't very bright, thats why they get caught. It definitely can generate some leads.

          11. GraniteStater | Feb 10, 2009 03:49am | #53

            Wow, that sucks. I can't imagine someone walking into where I work and stealing my computer and all my files. And I wish just for once one insurance company would be stand-up and be helpful instead of adversarial when it comes time to pay a claim.I'll keep my eye out on the New Hampshire craig's list for a sudden influx of tools... where was the jobsite? Might want to check the Rhode Island and/or Maine craigslist sites too... if the theives had half a brain, they'd sell the stuff there as it's an easy drive from Boston.I hope those a-holes get their karmic retribution... in this life and the next.

          12. contractorjoe | Feb 10, 2009 05:02pm | #74

            Dieselpig,

             

            Just read this, can't imagine. I post on the jlc forums, browsed here a few times. I'm located in Billerica MA. I have some pump staging and planks I'm not using in the near future. If you would like to borrow some staging and ladders I'm more than happy to help. I'll even deliver.

            Really, let me know things are a little slow let me know what would help.

            Theif is the lowest form and hope he gets whats comming to em

             

            Joe

          13. bk24 | Feb 10, 2009 05:23pm | #75

            Diesel-

                 I'm very sorry to hear about what happened.  In addition to the advice that others have given, I would also check with any local scrapyards for your stagings and pump jacks.  Some places might be honest enough to let you know if anything has come through recently.  Where I'm from (NJ), you're supposed to have ID to get paid for scrap you bring in.  Again, very sorry about your loss.

        2. Snort | Feb 10, 2009 02:06am | #47

          Bummer. I could have sent you tools for one guy, but they took a walk last fall... HVAC guys. Lately, I have seen guys that got ripped off advertise on Craig's List. List all their tools, and identifying marks, hope for the thieves to try to sell them to wrong person.And, your driveway may not have been any safer... 10 yrs ago, had my truck, with every tool I owned, boosted from my drive. Got the truck back, and one tool, a wonder bar I'd had for 20 yrs... thief was using it to break into homes.http://www.tvwsolar.com

          I went down to the lobby

          To make a small call out.

          A pretty dancing girl was there,

          And she began to shout,

          "Go on back to see the gypsy.

          He can move you from the rear,

          Drive you from your fear,

          Bring you through the mirror.

          He did it in Las Vegas,

          And he can do it here."

        3. atrident | Feb 10, 2009 11:33pm | #101

            Couple of years ago there was a show on "Cops" where they were looking for a car with Lojack but they found an Ingersoll Rand compressor in a garage. The contractor said he bought it from some guy for a couple thousand. He was arrested for receiving stolen property. Sorry for your loss D.P.   Shoot your local fence.

      3. DanH | Feb 10, 2009 02:23am | #49

        How about everyone prints this out and posts it somewhere:
        The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

      4. User avater
        Luka | Feb 10, 2009 04:14am | #56

        Dood, you did NOT deserve that !Things that have been stolen from me have been small potatos, compared to this. And even at that, I was ready to strangle someone.I'm going to say some prayers that you get your stuff back.
        Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

      5. Scott | Feb 10, 2009 09:03am | #65

        If you're inclined, keep an eye on craigslist and other swap sites. I had a very interesting experience when I spotted a dual axle trailer like yours full of tools for $10K (trailer and all tools included...you do the arithmetic...sweet deal?????).I then stumbled upon a kijjiji (sp?) ad where a contractor reported the trailer stolen. I sent him the craigslist contact info which he and the police found very informative.I hope it works out for you...Scott.

        Edited 2/10/2009 1:05 am by Scott

      6. kbd | Feb 11, 2009 11:24pm | #158

        Brian,

            I see you have recovered the trailer, but I am pretty sure I saw this trailer just a few days ago on the Milton-Dorchester Mass line. It went by me while I was at a stop sign. The reason I remembered is the hammer and shamrock made me smile and I didn't know the area code on the phone number. You may want to check the Boston/Dorchester area and Craig's list Boston. Sorry I can't be more help.   Kevin

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 12, 2009 12:49am | #159

          Kevin,

          Thanks for letting me know.  Any chance you can narrow down a date and time?  It would be a huge help.View Image

          1. Hazlett | Feb 12, 2009 01:40am | #160

            Brian----- i have had minor versions of your situation twice----- never to your extent though.On both occasions the insurance people were very fair--MORE than fair actually---the stuff I ended up with was better than the stuff I lost. the closest to your situation was a year ago------ new truck in my driveway, new cap--- was going to get up the next morning and move all my stuff out of the old truck and into the new truck.--- all excited- i wake up at like 4:00 am- can't sleep-- go down stairs and let the dog out---- turn around to head back in the house and notice the tool box on the old truck has been opened and all the goodies cleared out. I was sick to my stomach for about an hour and a half--- and it certainely wasn't as much as YOU lost but--- you count your blessings and think how much WORSE it could have been----and you move on As Piffen said----" this too shall pass"----- in a day or so--- you just gotta " let it go" or it will make you sick Best wishes,
            Stephen

          2. kbd | Feb 12, 2009 07:49pm | #182

            Sorry, I have been racking my brain, but no further specifics except Central Ave in Milton, MA  It is on the Boston/Dorchester/Mattapan line.   Kevin

  21. danusan10 | Feb 10, 2009 12:52am | #40

    Sorry to hear about your loss, happened to me once. Had insurance inland marine policy that was to cover replacement cost of tools, however it became a negotation process with insurance carrier.  If I can give ya any advice inflate your inventory, tools without reciepts were Xmas,B-day gifts,garage sale items etc.

    Your agent already let you know to prepare for a battle, put your game face on as it surely is going to happen, their happy to take your premium payments, but real reluctent to pay your loss. I know that your tools were of high quality manufacture, they will try to depreciate them as damm near boat anchors, fight like hell for compensation.  good luck in replacing tools, best of luck with insurance, dont be afraid to hire attorney if neccessary.

     

  22. oops | Feb 10, 2009 01:52am | #44

    I despise anyone who steels a mans means of making a living. One can't get any lower than that. Maybe even worse than wall street bankers and CEO's

  23. MisterT | Feb 10, 2009 01:53am | #45

    Sorry to hear that Brian...

    Chit like that really bites the big one :o(

    Hang in there you have the talent and attitude to rebound from this.

    You have been thru stuff that would have finished a lesser man.

    and look at the bright side:

    They didn't get any of your scopes :o)

    .
    .
    "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"

    -Neil deGrasse Tyson
    .
    .
    .
    If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
    .
    .
    .
    according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

  24. stinky | Feb 10, 2009 04:33am | #57

    The Koran deals with robbery very well. I feel bad for you.stinky

  25. fingers | Feb 10, 2009 05:23am | #58

    Man, my thoughts are with you. That is so wrong. I agree with Sphere on this. Do as much of the leg work on this as you can. Even if the cops aren't really motivated, if you persist in a firm non-threatening manner you'll get their respect and maybe they'll even help you catch these guys. Interview the witness, get the truck description etc.

    I've never done it, but it may be worth your money to ask if a Private investigator could follow up some leads for a day or two, since you'll be busy running a crew, scrounging tools and equipment and uh, actually working.

    Good luck man.

  26. collarandhames | Feb 10, 2009 06:22am | #61

    Condolences.  Even getting your stuff back will not wash that bad taste from your mouth!  I like to pretend that at one point,, those who' ve deserve it will get what is coming to them!  Like freakin' colon cancer or worse!!!!!

    Sounds like you have some super support here!  Nice to see!

     

    d

     

  27. JeffinPA | Feb 10, 2009 02:58pm | #68

    I left my trailer at my bro' in laws last nite.

    Locked it up and it is pretty secure but I said to him, there are thousands of dollars of tools in there, I can't loose them.

    Hang in there.  Everything happens for a reason.  You might have to dig deep to find the reason but if you look you will find one.

     

     

     

  28. User avater
    gillisonconstruction | Feb 10, 2009 03:42pm | #70

    Diesel My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Sitting here reading this makes me sick to my stomach.  Lots of great advice has been offered I would get the word out your offering a reward for information on the thieves.  And I dont know you good at all but I would look real close to home as far as if you had any flaky friends or what not.  I got some spare tools laying around also man if you need anything hit me up. 

     

    Aaron

  29. mwgaines | Feb 10, 2009 04:03pm | #72

    It might be a good idea to check out the auctions in your area, too. We have one of the largest auto auctions in the nation here in SC. It's not unusual at all see a body shop in this area working very late hours. I suspect that many stolen vehicles have been sent to this area, given a facelift, and then funneled through the auction to who knows where.

     

    New knowledge is priceless. 

    Used knowledge is even more valuable.

  30. MonkeyElkHunter | Feb 10, 2009 05:46pm | #76

    Sorry man I know how that is. They have never gotten me that bad but I came out OK when I was hit.

  31. maggie2142 | Feb 10, 2009 06:17pm | #78

    Diesel.

    Send me a list of what tools you need to keep working. You are welcome to use mine until you get back on your feet. I am North Shore Boston.
    Don't be shy, I would be happy to help.
    Dick

    1. Scrapr | Feb 10, 2009 06:55pm | #81

      DP as someone else said check today's CL in Boston. Someone just put up 7 or 8 tools in Lowell. Don't know if that is close to you. But it is a bunch including a generatorhttp://boston.craigslist.org/tls/Good luck out there

      1. DanH | Feb 10, 2009 07:13pm | #82

        Of course, the problem is that a lot of folks are eating their seed corn to survive. So a lot of legit stuff to wade through.
        The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

        1. Scrapr | Feb 10, 2009 07:22pm | #83

          I understand that. Might be a legit contractor giving up. And the generator was brand new. So that wasn't DP's. didn't he say something about 6 1/2 inch Skillsaws? Thought I saw a couple there. unusual size. maybe that was someone else

          1. DanH | Feb 10, 2009 07:34pm | #84

            Yeah, when DP gets his list together in coherent form he should post it here and maybe several of us can scan for likely matches.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

  32. DaveRicheson | Feb 10, 2009 06:19pm | #79

    Start shopping the pawn shops. Find just one of your tools and bring in the cops. The shop owner will give up the guy that pawned the tool. Cops won't do the leg work, but if you do, tey will follow up.

    BTDT 

  33. soxfan | Feb 10, 2009 06:45pm | #80

    I am in the area and I will keep my eyes open for ya.  Alot of the trailers around me are black or white without the V-nose, so your trailer should stand out if I come across it.

    Hang in there.

     

    Tim

  34. shtrum | Feb 10, 2009 07:41pm | #85

    It's probably my fault.  i take a couple days off from this site, and look what happens. 

    That capital-S sucks.  Those smaller things nobody thinks about until they're gone seem to sting especially.  Parents house was broken into a few years ago, and among the missing items was a necklace from my mom's dad.  A WWII vet, he'd made a glass heart with a cross inside from the canopy of a downed bomber.  Just something small and innocuous on a gold chain.  She would've traded everything else to get that back.  Probably ended up in a flea market.

    sending some luck your way

     

     

    1. DanH | Feb 10, 2009 07:45pm | #86

      It's weird what thieves will and won't take. They got into my unlocked van about a year ago and took my old CD player (worth maybe $30) and a bag out of the glove compartment that contained my safety glasses, my checkbook, and $100 cash. Left the $1500 worth of tools in the back of the van.
      The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Feb 10, 2009 07:59pm | #87

        Similar to my fiasco..they got in the van, took some milk money ( 10 bucks maybe) a pack of cigs, and my PORTFOLIO in a cloth looseleaf type binder , I guess they thought it was full of CD's..left brand spanking new rt angle drill but took two handsaws and a 2' level that were taped together..I had just moved to Lex and wasn't stored or unpacked yet.

        The portfolio had pics I can't replace of past work, and in the same cloth binder as the photo album, was all my tax info for 3 yrs...I can tolerate liars, I can understand addicts, but I can't stand a thief..I almost put a cousin in the hosp. after I whooped his butt for stealing my Grandparents collection of silver dollars..like 600 old coins, after I got done pounding him, his dad pounded him some more, and then ME..for thumping on his son.

        Thievery brings out the worst in people.  Sometimes ya gotta just remember , we all are here with borrowed stuff and let it go. There ain't no luggage rack on a hearse.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

         

        They kill Prophets, for Profits.

         

         

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 08:34pm | #89

          Checking back in... came to the office to print up more pics of the trailer... I'm giving them to local police departments.  Maybe someone will see it poking out of a garage somewhere.  I figure if nobody is looking for it.... nobody is gonna find it.  I'm also trying to get our local news to do a story... they love this kinds of bull where people start robbing each other because times are tough.  Who knows.... probably wasting my time, but I just feel like I have to do something... anything.  The cops sure aren't.  I still can't get the detective to call me back.  He doesn't even know that we've found a guy who saw it happen or that we've got a description of the truck and a "decent" idea of who may have had a hand in this.

          I appreciate the tips on Ebay and Craig's List and the like.  I promise you... I've been watching those sites constantly since yesterday.  I'm totally and completely consumed by this right now.  I haven't been off the phone longer than about a 1/2 hour since this happened.

          I know a lot of other framers and have good relationships with them.  They've all got their ears to the ground for me in several different ways.  Everyone around me has been really supportive and helpful.  The GC went around yesterday to all the local businesses and gas stations to see if anyone had a camera angle on the trailer driving by.  The job is only about 1/4mi from I-95 so it's pretty clear where they went.  So far, we haven't had much luck, but it sure would be nice if I could at least get a cop to return my phone call.  Like I said.... if no one is looking for it then it ain't gonna get found.  To be honest, at this point, I want vengeance more than anything.  I want to smash someone's dirty little hands with the claw of my hammer.  I'm angry angry angry about his and am doing everything I can to figure this thing out.

          I know I probably won't.  The stuff is probably gone.  But it makes me feel a little better when I at least do what I can to try to find it.  When the time comes, I may be able to accept this a little better if I at least feel like I did all I could.  Albeit a little too late.  Pawn shops are next on my list.

          I very much appreciate the offers of tools and what-not.  I honestly and sincerely do.  The community in this place never ceases to amaze me.  But, we're pretty much up and running again though.  A lot of what was in the trailer were 'luxuries' or duplicates.   The majority of my framing guns and 7 1/4" saws were on my truck.  Last night and today, I bought 500' of hose, 500' of cord, fittings, splitters, a 12" SCMS, a table saw, a compressor, and a couple levels to get us back in business.  The rest will have to wait until I see what the insurance company can/will do for me.  And anything else will just have to be replaced as I can afford it.  But, we really do have what we need to be productive again.  The only essential we're really missing at this point is my mind.  And I'm really hoping I get that back again in the next couple of days.

          I have a handwritten list of what was on the trailer.  I have to now find the receipts for all of that stuff as well as the cost to replace and make up a new list for the insurance company.  When I have that list I will be sure to post it.

          I really want to motherF someone over this.  It's so much more personal than I ever imagined it would be.View Image

          1. sarison | Feb 10, 2009 09:09pm | #90

            DP, I'm a framer that only does additions for a number of GC's.  3 weeks ago we had a small gang box heisted out of the back of our truck.  With us only being 3 guys, we had pretty much everything but our bags and compressor in there.  I feel your pain.  Our ins. is only paying half of it as we didn't have complete coverage so we are fighting to stay alive.   Good luck

          2. tek | Feb 10, 2009 09:16pm | #91

            That really, really sucks - sorry to hear you're dealing with this.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for the trailer, I'm up on the northshore.  Good idea seeing if you can get it on the news - fox25?

          3. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 09:22pm | #93

            Trying for Ch5.  It's not looking as good now as it was an hour ago.  They must have had a hard time coming up with a salacious alliteration.  All right... so I'm bitter.View Image

          4. User avater
            DDay | Feb 10, 2009 09:21pm | #92

            On Rt 95, the state has camera's at all the bridges, if you can get in touch with the highway department, you could track them down Rt 95 and find out what exit they took. At that time of the morning the traffic is very light so it should be easy to pick up.Do you or through someone else know any state cops? They'll be much better than the locals.

          5. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 09:24pm | #94

            I agree about the cameras on 95..... that's what were hoping for yesterday morning.  Especially since my trailer is easy to pick out... and the 'wittness' says the truck pulling it was lettered.  Seems like a no brainer to me.  If I could just get the cops motivated somehow....

            And I don't know any Staties.  One of the guys on my crew has a buddy who's a MA trooper... he's trying to pull some strings.View Image

          6. User avater
            PeterJ | Feb 10, 2009 09:37pm | #95

            It's so much more personal than I ever imagined it would be.

            Amen to that. Anyone would feel pretty dam violated...you have every right.

            FWIW, your threads and work are inspiring to me and others, don't let some shirtbags make you consider bailing. If you ever decide too, let it be on your terms and with your style...which is impeccable, from my POV.

             

             

             

              

            Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

          7. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 09:53pm | #96

            Peter, thanks for the kind words.  It really does help.

             

            For all:

            I'm attaching my first draft of the list of stuff that was in/on the trailer.  I'm still working on model numbers as I plow through the reciepts.   I've also put out a $2000 reward for information leading to the arrest, recovery of my tools, or an hour alone with the guys responsible.  I posted an ad on Craig's List Boston under tools.View Image

          8. dovetail97128 | Feb 10, 2009 10:06pm | #97

            Did you have any distinguishing marks on the tools ?
            Paint, engravings, ID of any sort at all? If so add that to your craigs list ad.
            They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

          9. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 10, 2009 10:17pm | #98

            Thanks DT.... some of my tools were engraved, but not all.  Gawd I wish I kept up with that habit.  Even the friggin' engraver was in the trailer.  How sick is that?View Image

          10. dustinf | Feb 11, 2009 12:48am | #106

            I don't know what to say. Let me know if you need anything. It's not too late, it's never too late.

          11. shellbuilder | Feb 11, 2009 02:52am | #107

            Got eyes open for you in s.e. Virginia, in case the scum #### drive down here with it, I would #### them up just for principle 

          12. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 11, 2009 03:06am | #108

            I'm sorry But I gotta laugh...

            "Hey lookit"  "Brians trailer!!!!"

            'Lets gettem, Butch"

            Poof. Bang, whump. Tha-whump...

            'Yep, we gotem by god"Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          13. migraine | Feb 11, 2009 05:53am | #116

            ...just make sure you get the goods back first. 

            Dead men tell no tales

          14. MisterT | Feb 11, 2009 02:48pm | #128

            You can't outrun the long arm of Breaktime!!!Imagine what them azswipes would think if they get nailed by a breaktimer 11 states away."Man this McCarthy guy must be CONNECTED!!".
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          15. shearwater | Feb 11, 2009 03:39am | #109

            DP,  It's all been said here, but man, I'm sorry about the theft.  Just yesterday I was reading your review of the MAX in FHB and thinkin', hey I feel like I know that guy - I have always admired the clarify, humor and solidness of his posts.

            Here's my offer - I live in the MA area and if you want me to investigate any item on CL, I'm up to it.  Give me any identifying info on the tool and I'll pose as the buyer  (you're not the best one to do it cause they probably would recognize you if they even lasted 2 minutes).  Seriously, I'd like to help.  Will be looking for that trailer on/around Rt 95, too.

            Pete

          16. User avater
            Dinosaur | Feb 11, 2009 05:14am | #113

            Brian--

            Just saw this; makes me sick to read about it. I still remember the rage and gut-shot feeling from 25 years ago when some punks emptied out my house up here--this was before I lived here full time. Took all the tools, all the toys, even stole a brand new roof-rack to carry off the windsurfer and racing bicycle....

            Yeah, my head didn't work too well for a coupla days afterwards, either.

            Never found the punks; I knew who they were (bunch of 18-y-o kids renting another chalet around the lake for the summer) but they vanished without a trace afer that--turned out they'd rented the joint under a phoney name. Cops were useless....

            Friggin' insurance company stonewalled me; worse, my useless insurance agent let 'em do it. I wound up getting about 15 cents on the dollar.

            I got over it, but even 25 years later, the anger comes back when I hear about something like what just happened to you....

            Bro--You know I won't need any of my tools for the next two months at the earliest. If you need to borrow anything until then, man, it's yours for the asking.

            Dinosaur

            How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

          17. User avater
            Luka | Feb 10, 2009 11:17pm | #100

            I agree about the ad. Maybe edit it a bit ?Also, you might want to give this guy a call ???http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/tls/1029247858.html
            Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

          18. tek | Feb 10, 2009 11:53pm | #102

            deisel - I don't mean to make light of what you're going through, honestly, but when I read your craigslist ad, all I could think of is the southpark dance off episode.  The guys that took your trailer are f'ed in the A.  They have no idea they messed with the wrong guy.

          19. mikeroop | Feb 11, 2009 12:15am | #103

            I read your ad and i think I'd leave it. I hope you do find them yourself , thats the only way they will get justice that's one of the biggest reason people keep doing this #### there's no justice anymore.

          20. Piffin | Feb 11, 2009 12:17am | #104

            I think if I was the thief, and I read that ad, I might be delivering it right back to the scene of the crime about 3AM tonight. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          21. tek | Feb 11, 2009 03:40am | #110

            I think I'd be heading to me-he-co until things blew over. 

          22. User avater
            DDay | Feb 14, 2009 07:21am | #235

            Here are a few pawns to check out. From the location the trailer was left, I think the Nashua and hudson are very possible, then derry, plaistow, salem nh and lowell. I would make calls first to try and narrow things down a bit. The first link doesn't pull up what I wanted, google is a PITA sometimes. click on that link and search for "pawn shops, windham, nh" and the map will pull up the locations, names, phone numbers, etc.http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=offclient=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=o7qpwst=1&ei=Bz-WSdzWBoOftwe1ubi5Cw&resnum=0um=1&ie=UTF-8q=pawn+shop,+windham,+nh&fb=1split=1&gl=usei=Cj-WSem6JdWDtwfK0_W5Cw&sa=Xoi=local_group&resnum=4ct=imageNH Pawnbroker Services‎ - more info »
            351 S Broadway, Salem, NH‎ - (603) 890-0095‎
            Write a reviewhttp://shop.ebay.com/merchant/pawnmarthttp://www.lowellpawn.com/Loan USA
            92 Broadway
            Lawrence, MA 01841
            (978) 974-9998[email protected]

            Edited 2/13/2009 11:26 pm ET by DDay

          23. ZEEYA | Mar 22, 2009 05:32am | #437

            DP

            don't know if anything here is from your stuff I didn't call this guy I checked phone # it's a cell phone so no address but it said a providence listing

             

            Zeeya

             

            email this posting to a friend rhode island craigslist > tools

            please flag with care:

            miscategorized prohibited spam/overpost best of craigslist

            Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee. More info

            construction tools

            Reply to: see below Date: 2009-03-21, 9:29PM EDT

            1 MILWALKEE SAWSALL 60.00 2 DEWALT DRILLS 30.00 EA. 1 DEWALT HAMMER DRILL WITH 15 BITS 125.00 2 DEWALT SKILL SAWS 60.00 EA. 1 LASER TRANSIT W/TRIPOD & STICK 300.00 10 WALL BRACKETS W/GUARDRAILS 30.00 EA. 200 FT ELECTRICAL CORDS HEAVY DUTY 75.00 EA. BOSTITCH INDUSTRIAL AIR COMPRESSOR 5.5 HONDA MOTOR & STICK GUN W/ RACK AND HOSE 450.00 ALSO HAVE BOX OF 8D RING NAILS 30.00EA. CALL BILL 286-9595

            it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interestsPostingID: 1086015024View Image

          24. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 22, 2009 05:42am | #438

            Thank you Zeeya, unfortunately none of it appears to be mine.  But thanks.View Image

          25. Piffin | Feb 10, 2009 10:35pm | #99

            The anger really comes through reading your craigslist ad/notice of reward money.That would serve you better in an editorial or just to get it off your chest. I can imagine some little old ladies who might see that CL notice and worry about calling you and getting into the middle of that storm of anger, even if they know something. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          26. oldfred | Feb 11, 2009 12:41am | #105

            Been mad all day thinking about your loss.    I agree with those who think you might want to edit your craigslist post a bit.

            Then Post it on the NH, Maine, RI and CT.  sites as well.   A lot of people check the lists daily,  and a lot of people  from these states do the early commute on the highways.     The shamrock logo stands out enough to leave a print in someone's mind..

            Best of luck to you!

            oldfred

             

             

            Edited 2/10/2009 4:52 pm ET by oldfred

          27. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 11, 2009 04:32am | #112

                If the detective is blowing you off call his boss. Time is of the essence, here and your running out of it. The detective may be overwhelmed with murder and mayhem and can't deal with the pressure. You never know unless you call his boss. What's the worst that can happen? He stops returning your calls.

              

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          28. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 11, 2009 05:25am | #114

            I'm out of time guys.

            I just picked up my totally stripped trailer up in Windham NH.  It's been sitting at the end of a road since yesterday.  But seeing as the police still haven't got around to filing it as stolen... the police up there didn't call me.  Until the neigbors complained.  Even as I was picking up my gutted trailer.... it still hasn't even been listed as stolen.  At least now I know why the insurance company hasn't called back.

            I'll be honest guys.  Right now, I don't even have a bit of rage left in me.  I feel completely defeated.  When I tell you the trailer is empty... I mean butt empty.  Not even a screw left.  They took stuff that I'm not sure I even wanted.... half tubes of caulking, cases of subfloor adhesive, half used cans of orange marking paint.  It's all gone.  Spot less.  And the cops still couldn't care less.... they couldn't even hide their apathy.

            I'm really disheartened right now.  I'm ticked off at the world and I hate feeling this way.  I haven't eaten all day.  I didn't sleep last night.  I really can't believe how screwed up I am over this.  The trailer is in my driveway now and I can't even look at it. 

            The thought of starting all over again is more than I can handle right now.  I'm seriously thinking about hanging up my bags and trying to find a job.  I hate this business so much sometimes.  It seems like every time you turn a corner someone is there knocking you down.  I've been burnt by everyone I've dealt with in this business.... builders, lumber salesmen, other trades, other framers, even my own employees at times.   It's a filthy dirty business.  At this point, I can't even think of a way that I haven't been screwed in this business.   I can't even think straight right now.  I just wanted to say that I appreciate the support from everyone.  And you're right... my CL ad was too angry.  I'm too angry.  I can't wait until I can move past this because I'm hating being in my own skin right now.

            Half of me is scared that I'll find out who did this.  And the other half can't wait to find out who did this.  Good thing I'll probably never know.

            Thanks again.View Image

          29. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 11, 2009 05:39am | #115

                 Now would be the perfect time to get out of the business. You wouldn't have to worry about selling off your tools. (Sorry sh!tty attempt at cheering you up.) Seriously with the way the economy is going in the coming year your business is gonna take an even bigger hit then it already has. Now may be the time to move onto something else.

                I don't know who I'm more upset with right now. The cops or the dirtbags. At this stage they are on the same level.

                 

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          30. MikeSmith | Feb 11, 2009 05:54am | #117

            brian....  just  found  this  thread

             

            sorry  for  your  troubles....

            Mike

             

             

             Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          31. DanH | Feb 11, 2009 06:02am | #118

            I kinda know how you feel. After losing about $7K on my 401K today, I come home to find that our good TV has crapped out.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          32. User avater
            DDay | Feb 11, 2009 06:50am | #121

            You lost 7k on paper, it's not kinda the same thing. You still own the same number of shares whether it be stock or mutual funds, the value decreased. And you tv died, so what. You probably owned that tv for years and got very good use of that tv for the money you paid for it. Brian had something stolen from him that he probably will never get back. He doesn't have the opportunity to have the share increase in value like you do.It was really a very silly post on your part.

          33. DanH | Feb 11, 2009 07:03am | #122

            The stimulus package's $800B is only "on paper" too, right?To me it's $7K I won't have the opportunity to recover because I don't have a job. And, looking at history, I don't expect the market to recover for ten years, by which time inflation will have eaten any gains anyway. And we'll have to replace the TV with money from my retirement savings, again with dim prospects of ever replacing that money.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          34. dcarroll3000 | Feb 11, 2009 07:07am | #123

            DP,

             I've got a DW portable TS you can have for as long as you need. My thoughts and

            prayers are with you and your fam tonight. Don't let the thieves get you down,

            your BT fam can help. 

            -d

          35. john7g | Feb 11, 2009 04:23pm | #137

            Can you still make an income now that your 401k is deflated?Can you still make an income now that your TV is broken?

            Those tools of Brians were his livelihood, without them, no income to cover bills, food, mortgage.  How much did the drop in value of your 401k and crapped out TV affect your ability to feed yourself & family?

            Edited 2/11/2009 8:26 am ET by john7g

          36. DanH | Feb 11, 2009 06:36pm | #142

            Try being 60 years old with no job prospects and not enough money in the bank.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          37. GregfromKW | Feb 11, 2009 07:39pm | #144

            From: DanH Feb-10 10:02 pm
            To: dieselpig (121 of 146)
            116419.121 in reply to 116419.117
            I kinda know how you feel. After losing about $7K on my 401K today, I come home to find that our good TV has crapped out.HOW DARE YOU COMPARE HIS SITUATION WITH YOURS!!! This is the single most ignorant post I have ever read on any board on the net. Compare your $7000 loss in your 401k to his $10 to $15000 loss of tools let alone the work he cannot do now. He has lost 10X that which you lost. Erase your post and climb back under your rock you jerk. Sorry to hear of your loss bud. This sucks in so many ways I can't even begin to say. Keep up the fight your spirit will heal.

            Edited 2/11/2009 11:40 am ET by GregfromKW

          38. User avater
            Luka | Feb 11, 2009 07:56pm | #146

            Drop the krap about comparing losses, etc.You are soiling the purpose of the thread. And will get it moved to the tavern, if you continue.
            Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

          39. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 11, 2009 08:50pm | #148

            Thank you Jeff.View Image

          40. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 11, 2009 09:06pm | #149

            I'm trying to find perspective here.... which many of you have helped with.  The truth is... I've had worse days I suppose.  I've woken up in detoxes, jails, halfway houses, and boot camp on other days.  Today I woke up in bed.... my bed.  With a warm caring wife next to me and a dog in the middle.... neither of which have ever seen me not sober.  And I was in my own home .  Could be... and has been... a heck of a lot worse.  I'm 10 yrs sober, I'm healthy, I've got a little safety net in the bank, and I've got work in front of me for the time being.  There's guys out there with none of that who probably don't feel bad for themselves.

            I'm still angry.  And I'm oddly embarassed by the whole thing.  And I want to put my boot to the back of someone's head while they bite the curb.  But I'll get over it.  I always do.   I'm done feeling sorry for myself and I'd like you guys to do the same.  Not that I don't appreciate the support... but I'm trying not so slip back into useless self-pity.  I can't get anything done like that.

            Sorry about my sad-sack post last night.... I had missed a night's sleep, hadn't eaten in over 24hrs, and was on a way over caffienated roller coaster ride. 

            I'll kill the m'fer if I ever find him.  But I probably won't.  And I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.  In the meantime, I've got insurance companies to fight, tools to buy, a crew to run, and a job to finish.  A day at a time, right?

            Thanks again for your support through the last couple days.  It really does help to know that you guys know where I'm coming from.   I've always loved to fight... with pretty much anything that'll push back.  So this should be a good one.View Image

          41. Piffin | Feb 11, 2009 09:38pm | #151

            Another mantra that helps me - "This too, shall pass." 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          42. User avater
            hubcap | Feb 11, 2009 09:44pm | #153

            ever have a kidney stone?I had one once- decided against having another.can't remember how many times I heard that saying...No Tag

            Edited 2/11/2009 1:45 pm ET by hubcap

          43. DanH | Feb 12, 2009 02:47am | #164

            I keep saying that about this kidney stone, but it doesn't seem to happen.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          44. User avater
            hubcap | Feb 11, 2009 09:38pm | #152

            that is good to read and my truck is fixed so-off to workNo Tag

          45. MikeSmith | Feb 11, 2009 10:11pm | #154

            hey....don't forget Angelo's at  JLC-Live...

             

             

            Eric  is  so  flush,  he's  buyingMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          46. mike585 | Feb 11, 2009 11:19pm | #157

            I was going to write something like that, something about how you could have fallen off a roof, or killed a worker, or had some terminal diagnosis, or something. I was going to comment that this is small compared to some of the stuff you already have overcome. Then I said "Nah, he'll figure that out in the morning."

            At PeachFest Splintergroupie said something like "If a problem can be solved with money it's not really a big problem". Hard to believe that these days, but it rattles around  in my thick skull.

          47. BUIC | Feb 12, 2009 03:04am | #166

              Venting like you have, especially with people who understand, is always good for your mental health.

              And look at it this way, the rest of 2009 has got to be better...   buic

          48. AitchKay | Feb 12, 2009 04:52am | #170

            "I've got insurance companies to fight"Well, maybe you do, but you probably don't know that yet. Go back and read my first post, and Hazlett's, "...MORE than fair, actually."If you start to fight with them, then, yeah, you've got insurance companies to fight. I know the odds aren't great, but a few of us have come out OK by being straight up, and not angry with them.And as I said, your magazine article could gain your agent many new customers. Make sure he knows that! AitchKay

          49. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 12, 2009 05:07am | #171

            AitchKay,

            I actually had my interview with the rep today.  It went better than I thought it would.  Most of it was about me... checking me out.... but I know that's part of their job.  It's a good feeling to not have any skeletons in my closet and be able to answer with a clear conscience.... no we don't owe anybody money... no I'm not behind on my bills... yes, you can run a credit report....etc.   In the end, I actually felt better about the whole situation than I before the call. 

            So no, I'm not really fighting the insurance company.  And I agree.... I might be pleasantly surprised to learn that they may actually be a big help.  I certainly hope so.  Thanks for the positive words though.View Image

          50. AitchKay | Feb 12, 2009 06:23am | #176

            That's great, Brian.And that's good that they want to know who you are -- Pour it on! Spare no detail! The more they know about you, the more comfortable they will be with covering your loss.In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to forward them EVERY SINGLE POST you've made here at BT. Who you are carries a great deal of weight with these people (and with all of us, for good reason!). You have shown to all that you have nothing to hide from the world.On the contrary, you have put yourself out here as a role model for all of us, and I am sure that others have filed away some of your past words to keep in mind, just as I have. Let them know that, and tell 'em I said you can quote me!Good luck, hang in there, and take care.AitchKay

          51. Bing187 | Feb 12, 2009 05:26am | #172

            Brian,

                    I've been where you're sitting, too. No words of wisdom here, just a heartfelt sorry. Don't let the hate eat you up. I had similar feelings about the business when it happened to me (2X). It's like any business I guess, good and bad points. I think, based on my impresssion of you in the past, that you take a lot of pride in the work you produce, and you should. But put me on the list of guys who think it would be a shame for this to be the problem that proves to break the camels back.

                    Twelve years later, there are only two things that still leave me with a bad taste in my mouth; 1, they took a Craftsman tool box full of hand tools inherited from my grandfather, one of the only things that I had that was his. 2, still, to this day, every once in a great while,I'll need some weird punch, or oddball tool, and when I can't find it, I realize that it was in the stuff that got snagged. Brings it allllll back.

                    Don't feel bad about wanting revenge....My excavator told me for ages, if I caught the guy and ran into a jam, just to call him and he'd put the machine on the trailer and head for my house..:) I think it brings out the worst in human nature, stealing the very means from a man to make a living. I remember sitting on my couch, fairly broke, my wife 3 days from delivering my son, telling my father-in-law on the phone that I didn't know what I was going to do, and he told me he was putting a check in the mail to get me through til insurance helped out. I thought I was going to start bawling right then, with the incredible stress and anger of the whole thing, but it does pass.

            I feel for ya, brother. I'm down in Rehoboth, Ma. I'll be wathing CL and e-bay for stuff. Good luck.

            Bing

             

             

                   

             

          52. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 13, 2009 01:11am | #184

            ....My excavator told me for ages, if I caught the guy and ran into a jam, just to call him and he'd put the machine on the trailer and head for my house..:

            A "friend" taught me a trick. Dig a pad down as far as the bucket will reach, then a ramp down to it. Set the machine up on the pad and start digging all over again.

            Every time you see the cops or FBI digging for evidence, they use backhoes.

            They'll NEVER find the what ever it was you buried. 

          53. john7g | Feb 13, 2009 01:29am | #185

            never saw anyone dig up a septic tank, what's under one stays there. 

          54. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 13, 2009 01:43am | #186

            That's what I'm talkin about. 

          55. john7g | Feb 13, 2009 02:12am | #187

            and come to think of it, the ones they do take out of service just have the sides and lid crushed in. 

          56. Scrapr | Feb 13, 2009 02:33am | #189

            Maybe that's where this jersey is buried. They just didn't go down far enoughhttp://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2008/12/13/beavers_sports/mens_sports/baseball/4osu02_baseball.txtthe back story on this deal is the uo quit baseball nearly 30 years ago. Then Oregon State wins 2 titles back to back. Guess who needs a baseball team now. And guess who has an owner willing to support a collegiate baseball team?LOLloosers

          57. Catskinner | Feb 12, 2009 05:40pm | #178

            <<I'm trying to find perspective here....>>Looks to me like you've got it.This happened almost two years ago to a guy who had apprenticed with me for a while about twelve years back. He was a remarkable young man, with all of the right stuff. He moved half way across the country, got married, went out on his own, and they were about six months into their first pregnancy when someone stole his truck, all of his tools, all of his current paperwork and proposals, and his checkbook. The theives took the checkbook on a shopping spree and were never caught.When I found out what happened I boxed up all of the tools I wasn't using and sent it to him. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get started again, which he did.He's off and running again. Like you, he wakes up with his wife, and goes to work (which is a blessing in itself) doing work that he cares about in a community that cares about him as well. Which is the point of the story.You, too, have all the right stuff. You've already proven it many times, and it is evident in every one of your posts here.

          58. DanH | Feb 12, 2009 05:50pm | #179

            Yeah, I gotta say, waking up with the wife is about the only thing that keeps a body sane some days. As hard as it is taking a financial/job "hit" of some sort, it would be much worse without her support, and losing her would be more than a body could stand.I really feel sorry for the guys who don't have that.
            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          59. MikeSmith | Feb 12, 2009 05:57pm | #180

            my  mom   used  to  put  it this  way...

            "  I  wonder  what  the  poor  people  are  doing ?"

             Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          60. DanH | Feb 12, 2009 06:19pm | #181

            GUENEVERE
            What do the simple folk do
            To help them escape when they're blue?
            The shepherd who is ailing, the milkmaid who is glum
            The cobbler who is wailing from nailing his thumb
            When they're beset and besieged
            The folk not noblessly obliged
            However do they manage to shed their weary lot?
            Oh, what do simple folk do we do not?ARTHUR
            I have been informed by those who know them well
            They find relief in quite a clever way
            When they're sorely pressed, they whistle for a spell
            And whistling seems to brighten up their day
            And that's what simple folk do
            So they sayGUENEVERE
            They whistle?ARTHUR
            So they say(they whistle for a while)GUENEVERE
            What else do the simple folk do
            To pluck up the heart and get through?
            The wee folk and the grown folk
            Who wander to and fro
            Have ways known to their own folk
            We throne folk don't know
            When all the doldrums begin
            What keeps each of them in his skin?
            What ancient native custom provides the needed glow?
            Oh, what do simple folk do?
            Do you know?ARTHUR
            Once, upon the road, I came upon a lad
            Singing in a voice three times his size
            When I asked him why, he told me he was sad
            And singing always made his spirits rise
            And that's what simple folk do
            I surmiseGUENEVERE
            They sing?ARTHUR
            I surmiseBOTH
            Arise, my love, arise, my love
            Apollo's lighting the skies, my love
            The meadows shine with columbine
            And daffodils blossom away
            Hear Venus call to one and all
            And taste delight while you may
            The world is bright and all is right
            And life is merry and ####GUENEVERE
            What else do the simple folk do?
            They must have a system or two
            They obviously outshine us at turning tears to mirth
            And tricks a royal highness is minus from birth
            What, then, I wonder, do they
            To chase all the goblins away?
            They have some tribal sorcery you haven't mentioned yet
            Oh, what do simple folk do to forget?ARTHUR
            Often, I am told, they dance a fiery dance
            And whirl 'till they're completely uncontrolled
            Soon the mind is blank and oh, they're in a trance
            A violent trance astounding to behold
            And that's what simple folk do
            So I'm toldGUENEVERE
            They dance?ARTHUR
            So I'm told(they dance)GUENEVERE
            What else do the simple folk do
            To help them escape when they're blue?ARTHUR
            They sit around and wonder what royal folk would do
            And that's what simple folk doGUENEVERE
            (spoken)
            Oh, no, really?ARTHUR
            I have it on the best authority.BOTH
            (sung)
            Yes, that's what simple folk do

            The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

          61. john7g | Feb 12, 2009 08:37pm | #183

            >waking up with the wife is about the only thing that...<

            ...gets me going in the mornings.  If she was good looking I'd stay in bed.  :)

          62. User avater
            Luka | Feb 11, 2009 10:44pm | #155

            You are welcome.And I am glad to see you getting back to the attitude that allows any of us to move forward after a setback.Things can be replaced. Experience cannot be stolen.You have life, love, and plenty of experience. You have what you need, to move forward again.
            Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

          63. User avater
            Luka | Feb 11, 2009 10:55pm | #156

            Man am I glad you got that trailer back.If you think about it, it is kind of like losing a house, but luckily the foundation is still there, and you have the skills to rebuild the rest of the house.You built up to where you are, you can build up again. At least you have the foundations still there...~I noticed you had some sort of alarm system on the trailer. Apparently that didn't do any good.Bottom line, it doesn't matter what you do, if a theif is determined enough, they will either take the trailer again, or break into it.But the more difficult you make it, the more likely most thieves will look for easier pickings.Get that lojack system, and install it. Use a golf cart battery for the battery backup, because they last a lot longer. Not just the time it holds a charge, but the battery itself has multiple lifespans over a normal deep cycle battery.Take the wheels off and put it up on blocks.Unbolt the hitch from the front of the tounge and take that with you.Have reinforcements welded to the doors and their frames. Add a couple of sliding bars to the inside of the door, and operate them with a hidden lever/cable/pulley system, in the wheelwell or something.I am sure you have had a thousand different ideas running through your head, but I thought I'd add my measley few.
            Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

          64. steveva | Mar 13, 2009 07:09pm | #424

            I'm just a DIY'er.  My retire account took a hit (like a lot of people), but that just means I'll work a few more frakkin' years. 

            Our stove crapped out last May.  Big deal.  My son was home on leave from the USCG.  A couple of burgers, a couple of beers and a trip to HD for a great deal on a floor model and the problem was fixed in a couple of hours. 

            Steal my truck and I can still take a bus to work.  My office burns down I can work from home or Uncle Sam will find me another office - and I don't miss a pay check.  

            Someone steals my sliding miter saw I'll be really pissed, but I still have the good fortune to bitch about it at work while getting paid. 

            Having all your tools ripped-off by some scum-sucking reprobates - losing the very things that allows you to make a living, keep a roof over your head and put food on the table - that's orders of magnitude different and doesn't compare with lousy stocks, a bum stove or a burned out TV set.

            I think an apology is in order.

            Diesel - I just came across the thread and I'm sorry for the lose of your stuff.  I'd like to say I hope the cops find the B@s+^rdZ ...but really, I hope you and your buddies find them first.

            SteveVA 

             

             

             

            Edited 3/13/2009 12:12 pm ET by SteveVA

          65. cliffy | Mar 14, 2009 03:24am | #433

            An interesting post with a unique perspective.  

            Have a good weekend

            Cliffy

          66. fingersandtoes | Mar 17, 2009 01:20am | #434

            "I think an apology is in order."

            Now, now. What are you suggesting? We make a list of the bad things that have happened to all of us in the past while and everyone whose woes don't measure up apologizes to those with more pressing concerns? Who are we to judge?

          67. Scrapr | Mar 17, 2009 02:28am | #435

            They made a TV show about apologizing for your past misdeeds

             

            My name is Earl

             

            pretty good stuff. A little redneck humor. So that is why I like it

             

            DP

            glad the Insurance came through

             

            did they use your tax returns at all? Or was that just hassling you?

             

             

          68. steveva | Mar 17, 2009 06:22am | #436

            IMHO I think someone stealing the tools that enable you to make a living has far more of an impact on your quality of life than your television crapping out. Steve"If we knew what we were doing it wouldn't be called research."
            Albert Einstein

          69. User avater
            gillisonconstruction | Feb 11, 2009 06:02am | #119

            I dont know you on a personal basis Brian.  But I have looked up to you for a long time.  I am 25 and dont understand everything in life at all.  You have more or less built a legacy on here man.  The only way to go out if you choose to (hopefullly you don't)  is on top dont be pushed out by some low life thieves.  You said yourself you have been fighting a long time.  In my book I'd say your at a point in bussiness alot of the rest of us are working to get to.  Keep your head up.  Become a nusance to the police I would go down there in person and make sure they got the point.  My prayers go out to you tonite.

            Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither    thou goest.                                                                                 - Genesis 28:15

             

          70. User avater
            DDay | Feb 11, 2009 06:24am | #120

            Talk to the GC and others on that site. Who that has been there is from that area? Windham is off the highways some and from what you said about that neighborhood, that is a place that would need to be close to whoever took that stuff. Since this crossed state lines, get the NH state police involved. They certainly would be an improvement on what you've had so far.Also, maybe call up to lumber and supply places around there and describe the truck, white with a cap and see if that generates some leads.

          71. GraniteStater | Feb 11, 2009 07:37am | #125

            I live about 5 miles from Windham... the wife grew up there. If you don't mind saying... where was it ditched?Note that there is a used tool store in Derry, NH... not very far
            from Windham at all.Now that you have a location... should be easier to determine their route from the jobsite to the dump site... should be a camera somewhere that got them on film.I will keep my eyes/ears peeled.

          72. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 04:55am | #202

            I was just going back through posts and read yours again.  Can you tell me the name or address of that used tool store in Derry?  I'm hitting pawn shops and used tool stores this weekend now that I've tracked down a few of my serial numbers.View Image

          73. WHILEWEREATIT | Feb 13, 2009 05:20am | #207

            Brian
            Sorry you are going though this ordeal. good luck with ins. co.
            Try talking to your tool guy about your serial #'s. My tool dealer keeps a list of the model and serial # of every tool i've bought in the past 30+ years. Came in very helpfull when we had a similar loss.

          74. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 06:26am | #213

            Tool Liquidation Center‎
            20 S Main St
            Derry, NH 03038
            (603) 965-1000I've been in there once or twice... but it's been at least 1 year. I can't recall if they take in used merchandise or not but I seem to recall the place was packed with older tools... many of which looked like recon or used.Not sure if you saw my other question... where in Windham did they find the trailer?if you prefer not to post, you can message me.. .

          75. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 06:32am | #214

            Thanks.  The trailer was found on Fineview Rd.  I didn't see it there myself.  Instead I had to pay $150 to have it towed to the police station so they could "process it".  Apparently, "process it" is another way to say "unhook it from the tow truck".    LOL... everyone got a piece of my pie this week.

            Any idea what the neighborhood is like up there on Fineview?  Rural?  Houses far apart?  I was thinking about taking a ride up there this weekend and knocking on doors to see if anyone saw it getting dumped.  I called the woman who found it on the phone to thank her and she told me that she didn't see it get dropped off.View Image

          76. Scrapr | Feb 13, 2009 06:45am | #216

            Brian

             

              If you want to check out the hood look it up on Google Earth.

             I've done that several times

             

          77. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 06:52am | #218

            $150 to get it towed to the police station? that's just salt in the wound... the police station is like 2 miles away from Fineview.I know where that is... it's pretty close to where I play golf (Windham CC... nice public track). Without a doubt they got off at exit 3 off of I-95. In fact, they drove right past the police station to get to Fineview... took a right turn at the stoplight where the left turn was to the police station, firehouse and library.Also - that tool liquidation place is only 5 miles from Fineview... Fineview has some nice houses on it... it's actually not a road... it's a cul de sac. If you want to take a look at the area... Have you ever tried out the streetview feature of google maps?http://maps.google.comDrag the little yellow man in the upper left of the map onto the fineview street and you'll get a 360 degree image of the street. use your mouse to pan left/right. if you click the white arrows or drag the little yellow man on the map.. you can move up/down the street.

            Edited 2/12/2009 10:53 pm ET by GraniteStater

          78. Piffin | Feb 13, 2009 05:18pm | #220

            "that tool liquidation place is only 5 miles from Fineview"I know where I would be going to look for tools immediately! 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          79. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 09:09pm | #222

            Hey DP:If I have time after work today I'll try and swing by... I'll have to check their hours.anything that would be easily identifiable?Something that has some sort of engraving or sticker or ?And what would it say?

          80. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 09:11pm | #223

            UPDATE:I just called them for their hours and found out they have a pawn shop next door....

          81. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 09:17pm | #224

            And it gets more interesting...They have an e-bay store for the tool liquidation center...http://stores.ebay.com/Tool-Liquidation-CenterI wonder if they have an E-Bay store for the pawn shop... I couldn't find one during a cursory search...Once A Pawn and Time
            603) 965-1004
            20 S Main St
            Derry, NH 03038

          82. User avater
            DDay | Feb 13, 2009 09:23pm | #225

            If you did not see it before, this is the list he posted. I would look for the rare things like the max nailer, makita framers aren't common around here, the bigfoot head cutter, sawhelper, rol air keg, and if they seem to have a lot of the same ones as the list, then I would think those are them. I would also ask about the alum a pole.Ask if they've gotten anything new in recently, if so they'll say "oh yeah we got a bunch of stuff from someone going out of business..." then look at that stuff.http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=116419.98

            Edited 2/13/2009 1:28 pm ET by DDay

          83. DickRussell | Feb 13, 2009 09:44pm | #226

            I hope that neither the thieves nor the stores mentioned in Derry are readers of BT. I wouldn't want them tipped off.

          84. mike585 | Feb 13, 2009 10:01pm | #227

            The Bad Guys are not on Breaktime.

          85. GraniteStater | Feb 13, 2009 10:23pm | #228

            Thanks...It looks like I'll have time to swing by...

          86. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 14, 2009 02:58am | #229

            I'm actually heading up there tomorrow morning.  I'm going to drop the trailer off for my guys on my site (they're working tomorrow) and then I'm going to make a day out of playing supersleuth.  The store in Derry is at the top of the list because of the proximity to the dump site.  I also have a list of pawn shops in the area too... including places closer to my job such as Lynn.  Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin.

            I ask that if you think you see something that might be mine... please don't raise any alarm at the store.  As much as I appreciate your help, there's really nothing you can do about it if you did spot something that you think is mine.   Raising a stink will only serve to tip off the owner of the store... who may very well be in cahoots with the local scumbags.  Even if he's not in cahoots... he may have a lot to lose by getting his cover blown if he's gotten lax in checking ID's and what-not.  I'm going there tomorrow... and with me I'll have some serial numbers, pictures, and know where to spot identifiying marks.  View Image

          87. GraniteStater | Feb 14, 2009 03:15am | #232

            I went to both stores.The pawn shop was small and had no tools.The tools at the liquidation center... doubtful. Most was really old, beat up #### or over-priced barely used. And over-priced beat up #### too! A wailed on multimaster with case but missing all accessories and manual... $250!I didn't really see anything that resembled some of the items on your list..Good luck on your super sluething. In reality you're not likely to find anything but if it we're me... it would make me feel better.Call it a mental health day.

          88. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 14, 2009 03:27am | #233

            Exactly.  I agree.. the chances of me finding anything are pretty slim.  But one of these days I'm going to go to bed and know that I did all that I could do to catch these guys.  That's all I'm really trying to do.  I appreciate you taking time out of your day for me and making a special trip out of your way.  Awful kind of you seeing as you don't really even know me.  Speaks volumes of your character.  Thank you.View Image

          89. GraniteStater | Feb 14, 2009 04:05am | #234

            Hey no problem DP. It really wasn't too far out of the way for me and I really feel for ya... stealing the means to another man (men.. you and your crew's) ) living is just one of the most despicable acts.Besides.. I consider it a little contribution I can do to this forum. I'm JAFHO (Just Another Forking Home Owner...) who's dabbled in building (owner built a house including doing olenty of the hands on work)) and was at one time thinking about becoming a builder (not in this economy though!).I can't add too much here... maybe just the perspective of a HO...
            but I take away loads and loads.Hey.. if you ever need any marketing/branding advice... I'm your guy. I'd bill out at about $150/hour if I were a consultant... I'm actually pretty dang good at that.

            Edited 2/13/2009 8:08 pm ET by GraniteStater

          90. bri | Feb 14, 2009 01:23pm | #236

            Brian I just noticed this listing on Craigslist. It may be valid, but thought it was interesting that a contractor in Milton was liquidating four days after your trailer was spotted driving through this exact area. Might be worth calling to see what he's got. If you'd like to give me a list of some items you lost, I'd gladly call for ya.

            Hope you have a relaxing, stress free weekend. You deserve it after the week you've been through. Good luck!

            http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/tls/1032601226.html

            RETIREMENT SALE!! CONTRACTOR'S EQUIPMENT & TOOLS (Milton, MA)

            PostingID: 1032601226

          91. kpatrix | Feb 11, 2009 07:57am | #126

            Brian, Sorry to hear about your loss. Don't let it get you down. There's been storms and fires and other forces of nature that have affected others the same way. What happened to you is the worst kind of nature... human nature.
            Though it's hard to start over I know you will. There's a lot of customers that need a pro like you.Fight your insurance company for your tools. Seeing what was inside of your trailer is like looking inside of mine, almost. You had a few more goodies. All that is so necessary in this business. I didn't see any belt sanders there, I have a almost new Hitachi 3x21. Like all Hitachi tools, it has that buzz to it. A recent job left me with a couple more than I need. I'd like to give it one a good owner.
            Maybe Taunton will give you a chance to do some new tool reviews, and you can pick and choose what's best for you. There's always a bright side, dude.

          92. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 11, 2009 02:35pm | #127

                One of the things that really tick me off in these deals are the way the cops deal with it. It's been since Monday morning and they haven't even reported the trailer as stolen!? I'd be at HQ this morning finding out why. And not from the "detective" that is assigned to the case. I would also be implying that he may be in cahoots if not at least encouraging these types of thefts. And I'm not talking smack. That's how I deal with this stuff. I get my facts straight and make sure I'm one hundred percent in the right then I go to town.

                Don't be intimidated by the fact that they are cops either. They are supposed to be working for you.

               About ten years ago my brother had his suburban stolen out of his driveway on Christmas eve morning. He called the cops. They sent a patrol car out and basically blamed it on him for having such a nice ride. A detective wouldn't be available until after the first of the year. He and his biker buddies launched an offensive and had it and the guy by Christmas night. He called to report it unstolen and a cop called him back to find out what happened. He told him to learn how to investigate and he'd be able to find out on his own.

               The car thief lived but he moved away the next day.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          93. MisterT | Feb 11, 2009 02:54pm | #130

            Did he "move" into intensive care???.
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          94. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 11, 2009 08:23pm | #147

            Nah nothing that cool.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          95. MisterT | Feb 11, 2009 02:58pm | #131

            Brian one thing that maybe nobody has mention is a private eye.it seems that with the witness and the security camera thing and the dump location, that someone with better motivation than the local cops might get somewhere.I don't know much about that biz but maybe Pete D has some input.Pete You out there??.
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          96. Piffin | Feb 11, 2009 02:51pm | #129

            I had that feeling back when I got a divorce hearing notice from first wife. I am going to pass on a word that really helped me back then when I was alternating between moping and angry enough to kick somebody to the moon."You can't keep a good man down"Sounds trite sometimes, but it is true, and YOU are one of the best, Brian. Hang onto yourself and what is true. Know that these punks are way beneath you and hurting themselves.
            Know that you will rise like cream to the top.Also, get a copy of the police report from NH because your ins company will suspect a false claim - that you engineered all this, and they will use the false acusation to make you wait in discouragement until you give up.
            Get signed statements from everyone who knows - that neighbor who saw the taking, etc...Stay on the cops. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          97. seeyou | Feb 11, 2009 04:58pm | #138

            Two ways to look at this, Brian:

            The upside is you got your trailer back and you've got an idea where they went with the contents.

            You already see the downside.

            Can't give you any good advice on whether to soldier on or not. I always have, but I can't imagine doing something else 'cause I enjoy my work.

            With the market down, this might be the time to try something else or go to work for someone else for a while and see what it is you really enjoy about the work. If it's the framing itself, then signing on with someone else for a little while might put that joy back in you.

            Another option is to operate like I do. Get the tools you need for yourself. If you can do the job by yourself, do so. If what comes your way is too big to do alone, sub your competition. Take the part you enjoy the most and let them do the rest.

            You've put quite a load on yourself, running a 7 man framing crew in the field and carrying the business end as well. I thought I had a lot of balls in the air, as Duane puts it.

            I don't know how the job climate is up there, but there's not any new house starts happening here. There are plenty of small additions and minor remodels going on. In my 30 years around this business, I've seen new starts slow several times. The remodel business always picks up in those times. Can't have that new house? Let's fix this one.

            And, for my last piece of mediocre advice and encouragement:

            Go on and get over the lost tools. Do what it takes to get a police report, so you can collect on the insurance. Let the rest of it go - it's not likely you'll get any of the stuff back. And here's a little secret: Recently, one of my subs billed me before he got completely finished with a job and lied to me about it - needed money. I wouldn't pay him 'til he finished, so he took one of my ladders from the job site and pawned it. When I found out, I beat the hell out him. But it scared me. There was a point in the action where I had to stop beating him, because if I had kept on, I would have killed him. I was able to reel myself in at that point, but just barely. And I wasn't near as p/o'd as you are.

            So I kind of hope you don't find the perps. Not for their sake, but yours.

            Keep your chin up.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          98. User avater
            hubcap | Feb 11, 2009 05:23pm | #140

            Huh-See You just saved me a bunch of typing- and you a tired, worn out rendition of hubcap's songchange careers if you must (it would be a shame) but don't quitNo Tag

          99. restorationday | Feb 11, 2009 06:07pm | #141

            Something no one has mentioned, with your trailer CLEANED OUT the way it was I bet half your stuff never gets sold but rather used by the guys that stole it. I bet with the way it was stolen (possibly by a contractor's truck) it really was another contractor and your SS screw inventory becomes his SS screw inventory, etc. Like others have said, ask around with the other contractors on the site and watch what is in their trucks and trailers.I have suspected that kind of thing before, a few years ago there was a 23 yo carpenter working as a sub on a job site that I was also a sub on. He had a trailer that you could tell had been recently and quickly painted and had probably $15k worth of tools in it, all used, and he bragged that he had bought it for $1500 from some guy going out of business - trailer, tools and all. Yeah, right. He was a heavy drinker and not real productive and I doubt he had $1500 to his name and I could have sworn I had seen him as a laborer on another site a few months ago. I could put money on him driving 3 or 4 hours to KC or STL and ripping off the trailer himself. He treated the tools and trailer like #### and never really seemed to know what he had in there or how to use it. I mentioned it to the GC and he said the guy was a nephew and he really was under a lot of family pressure to hire him to 'help him get started'. Of course I could be wrong, they might be selling it. I have seen guys selling bunches of random half boxes of materials on CL many times, look in the Materials section as well as the Tools section. On the other hand it might all be in a dumpster.Sorry about it all,
            -Day

            Edited 2/11/2009 10:08 am ET by restorationday

          100. alias | Feb 12, 2009 04:35am | #168

            "Something no one has mentioned, with your trailer CLEANED OUT the way it was I bet half your stuff never gets sold but rather used by the guys that stole it. I bet with the way it was stolen (possibly by a contractor's truck) it really was another contractor and your SS screw inventory becomes his SS screw inventory, etc. Like others have said, ask around with the other contractors on the site and watch what is in their trucks and trailers." That is a very astute point, I bet you a real silver dollar those tools are within at most three mile radius of that spot. From Boston to Windham , New Hampshire something is way to random here.Some tenacity is in order here.

          101. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 11, 2009 06:39pm | #143

            Your words carry some serious weight there Grant. I can't tell you how much I love being a part of your team, as sporadic as it is.

            This anger , hate, and wanna kiiiiiillllll is only temporary, but I know that it does linger and makes you more cognizant and wary of the trades on the site..someone is related to someone everywhere..and there is a bad apple in the barrel somewhere.

            I think Brian can find this scum, I feel enough that he will, and like you said, he'd be best to leave it be. He don't need a felony rap..and he sure as shiest don't want a bloody karma.

            I can't agree w/Gunner and the "take a job" thought, I feel DP needs to go sideways out of this, that I can't explain, but more or less do try to hedge, and not defend.

            It seems that the more you hold dear and have balance with, is the most vulnerable to loss, and the hurt is worse. Removeing the expectations of longevity and accepting the trade agreement that we have this now, for what you desire in the big scheme of things..is a wash.

            Predictions?  Dp is goanna kick ask and take names, and if he don't have a good name, he'll make one up and stamp it indelibly in HIS mind, and go on with it. He will. I did. He will.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          102. rez | Feb 11, 2009 07:42pm | #145

            About a month ago someone started a thread like 'Can Anyone Help This Guy Out' or something to that effect,

            dealing with a guy on Craiglist in Boston who had a slew of tools stolen also.

            Might be valuable to diesel to talk with the guy and see if there were similarities in the thefts.

            Anyone recall the thread, I tried but couldn't find it.

             

            man, if this side thread keeps up john7g and DDay are going to end up accusing DanH

          103. User avater
            FatRoman | Feb 11, 2009 09:09pm | #150

            Here you go. The listing expired but you had copied the info in your post anyway.http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=114511.15'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

            View Image

        2. Catskinner | Feb 12, 2009 09:10am | #177

          <<Sometimes ya gotta just remember , we all are here with borrowed stuff and let it go. There ain't no luggage rack on a hearse.>>Beautiful.Thank you.

      2. shtrum | Feb 10, 2009 08:23pm | #88

        Or how much effort they'll go through to get it.  Worked for a non-profit for 4 years, and heard all kinds of tales from inner-city clients about what thieves would go through to get a banged-up air conditioner, or a handful of used hand tools.

        The effort was usually far more than the value of whatever they were after.

         

  35. FCOH | Feb 11, 2009 04:12am | #111

    I feel for you bro.

    Here's hoping you find em quick.  Or at least let them be driving through Cleveland tomorrow morn so I can get a nice adrenaline boost in the mornin!

    What about past employees?  Most times these fools dont think things thru enough to cover all their tracks?  Friends of theirs drive white trucks?  Good luck.

     

  36. nick29 | Feb 11, 2009 07:15am | #124

    I have two sets of tools you can 'steal' from me, you'll have to fix all of them as it seems nothing works anymore. I'll roll the dice with insurance.

  37. larryb | Feb 11, 2009 03:22pm | #133

       BTDT.   Can you get fingerprints?   Keep the pressure on finding the thieves.

     Even if you recover and get them thrown in jail ( fat chance ).

     You have been violated, and that won't go away.  The offers of help and

    sympathy, makes me want to weep.  You will rise above this, and put it behind

    you.     We are all on your side, pulling for you.     larryb

    1. Henley | Feb 11, 2009 03:32pm | #134

      Nothing useful to add just-DAMN! Makes me sick just to hear of it.

  38. AitchKay | Feb 11, 2009 05:05pm | #139

    This really sucks, guy.

    One positive-outcome story:

    I suffered a quick smash-and-grab a over 25 years ago. Not a clean-out, just one easily-grabbed crate with my belt and three cordless drills.

    But back then, my belt was really full, and nice stuff, too, e.g. big and little Starret combo squares and pencil compass, Stanley #60 1/2, etc.

    And sticking up out of the crate was my Stanley Stainless rafter square.

    Few receipts -- the Starret stuff was from an antique fair, etc. And zero pictures.

    I talked to my agent, and he said ,"Just do the best you can."

    I kept expecting the bomb to drop, but nothing bad happened. I got a Stanley catalog from the hardware store, and used prices from that. I told my agent right up front, "These are all list prices, and nobody pays list, but it's a three-year-old catalog," and he said, "Fine."

    All in all, I got over $1500 for that cratefull, and I didn't lie about a thing.

    I ended up being able to buy brand new Starret tools -- the big combo square was over $100, the pencil compass over $50.

    IIRC, I even had about $20 left over.

    Needless to say, I'm still with the same agent!

    So go in there with a positive attitude, be as nice as you can with the insurance people, and keep us posted.

    The magazine article you write should be good for your agent's business, don't you think?

    AitchKay

  39. FNbenthayer | Feb 12, 2009 03:03am | #165

    Brian, I hated reading about your loss. We've only met once or twice but I know a solid guy when I meet one. The worst part is over (that's what my lawyer used to say).

    Down here (Metro NY) I've seen guys peddling "used" tools in Home Depot parking lots. It might be worth a look.

    If you find the guys try to contain yourself, you need to have a plan to disappear the bodies. If you need help, let me know. The bears will be awake and hungry soon enough.

    Jim

     

     

     

     

    The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
    - Fyodor Dostoyevski

  40. Biff_Loman | Feb 12, 2009 03:10am | #167

    Thought about you today. My co-worker, who didn't have a crew, had his work van stolen some time back. They recovered almost all of it.

    Best of luck man.

  41. User avater
    larryscabnuts | Feb 12, 2009 06:18am | #175

    What a kick in the arse! Was it from a job site or from home?

  42. Novy | Feb 13, 2009 02:30am | #188

    Hey diesal,

     I haven't been around much latley and haven't read the whole thread yet but this really pisses me off. Maybe not as much as you probably are right now but it still makes me really mad.

     Pay no mind to me but I allways said that if they get me I will look for another way to make a living. That being said I have been in the buis for over 30 years and it has been good to me. I would likely tool up again................

     

    On a hill by the harbour

  43. andybuildz | Feb 13, 2009 02:58am | #190

    whoaaaaa...just caught your post. I think it made me feel almost as sick as you...although I really doubt that but....

    It's one of those things I think about too much of the time. It's on my list as one of the worst things that can happen (in the material world). I dunno what I'd do...

    The worst part is all the little things you have. Probably so many things you can't even remember them all but just know you have/had em'.

    I feel horrible for you brother. The worst part is that these prix need to steal from a working guy...his tools...doesn't get much lower'n that IMHO.

    I was debating whether or not to get a trailer but after reading some of the threads in JLC a ways back I decieded against it....especially with my logo all over it being  that thats a red flag for thieves but one of the reasons I wanted one...great advertising...ugh

    God only knows who took it. coulda been anyone from anywhere. A friend of a friend/aquaintence.

    I had a guy working for me on the last house I owned that I sold. He was from a real wealthy family. I lost one of my new screw guns and a new extention ladder.

    A new extention ladder??? yep. Hard to lose right? 'specially when it never left your house.

    I saw Billy (the rich kid that worked for me) showing my house to one of his friends and the work we did one evening. four guys worked for me at that time.

    Anyway...a cpl of days later I went to install two oval windows that were in the garage and set up two new alumipoles and new jacks I just bought. They were gone......and so was Billy. Called and said he had to quit cause he was moving.

    His friend came by and asked for his tool belt. I asked why Billy didn't come for it. Said he moved. I said he can't  have the belt cause I know he and Billy ripped me off and I was calling the cops. Copied down his plate number as he took off.

    Cops said Billy was in jail. Turned out he......ready for this...stabbed some guy in the chest half a dozen times and killed him over a drug deal a cpl of days before I called the cops. you'd never in a million guessed it from looking at or to talking to him

    Sooooooooo....I suppose it CAN always be worse huh?

    He worked for me several months too. True story!

    Fingers and toes are crossed that you either find the pric...whewwwwww.

     

     

     

    http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

    http://www.ramdass.org

     

    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 03:35am | #191

      Thanks Andy.  It does suck.. but I'm feeling a little better about the whole thing now.  Kinda moving on, you know?  I came up with quite bit more in receipts for stolen stuff than I'm insured for so I'll take a hit,  but after talking to the insurance rep yesterday I feel a little better in that it seems as though they're gonna help me out.  And I'm not really po'ed at the cops anymore either... just disappointed I guess.  I never asked a cop for a thing in my life until Monday morning.  And I got squat from them.  I pay a lot of taxes dude.  We all do.

      Anyway... no turning back now.  I've already spent too much money re-tooling for that and I've just got a little more to go before I'm re-tooled enough to work "comfortably" which I will probably do in the next day or two.  The rest of the stuff like staging and "once every six months" type tools will have to wait until I get a check from the insurance company and I see what I've got to work with.  I've got 3 sets of plans to bid this weekend... so it looks like I'm soldiering on with this show. 

      I still haven't figured out what the big lesson in all of this is... other than the obvious one (don't leave your trailer at work).  But I'm sure there's one in here somewhere.  I'll let you all know when I figure it out.  It's nice to not feel homicidal anymore as well.   For the past few days, I was giving off such bad energy that my dog wouldn't even hang out with me.  I was dripping with the angry dude.  Not good.  But better now. 

      BTW...  do all yourselves a favor and take a quick inventory of your stuff and what it would cost to replace... make sure you've got enough insurance.  I hadn't kept up with it in the past couple years... not really noticing the tools pile up.  It was a bit of a shock when I started going through the receipts to see it add up the way that it did.  So check those tool riders.  I didn't think it was gonna ever happen to me either.

      View Image

      Edited 2/12/2009 8:12 pm ET by dieselpig

      1. User avater
        EricPaulson | Feb 13, 2009 03:44am | #193

        I still haven't figured out what the big lesson in all of this is

        Brian,

        When you figure that one out, there is a book deal waiting for you...maybe a movie and lot's of guest appearances.

        Sorry for the suck.............I followed the thread from the start. Just figured I'd keep it zipped unless I saw your #### someplace.

        When I'm pissed, DW tells me to pet the cats (I'd have dogs but we rent)

        Go pet the dog will ya. It's got to make ya feel better. No one loves you like that animal.

        Eric 

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 04:14am | #195

          Animals good.  :)    Nice to hear from you Eric.View Image

        2. JohnT8 | Feb 17, 2009 09:09pm | #304

          When you figure that one out, there is a book deal waiting for you...maybe a movie and lot's of guest appearances.

          So what actor do they get to play Brian?

           jt8

          If you aren't embarrassed by your offer, then you are offering too much!  --DanT

          1. User avater
            Luka | Feb 17, 2009 11:09pm | #309

            That's a no-brainer.Bruce Willis.
            Googley googley googley, evil go away.

          2. JohnT8 | Feb 17, 2009 11:18pm | #310

            he is old enough to be DP's dad.

             jt8

            lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day. --Snort

          3. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 18, 2009 02:36am | #312

            So what actor do they get to play Brian?

            Why Brad Pitt of course!!

            I'll take that 20 next time I see ya Brian! 

          4. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 18, 2009 02:43am | #314

            No F'in way.

            Dennis Leary.  Now he has some attitude AND the accent.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          5. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 18, 2009 02:53am | #315

            Ya think? How much is Brian paying you?

            View Image 

          6. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 18, 2009 02:56am | #316

            As his agent I get 33% of the box office take. He was paying you 20 bucks huh?  LMAO. Sucker!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          7. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 18, 2009 03:01am | #317

            I said 20. i didm't say 20 what.

            Don't jump to conclusions............. 

          8. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 18, 2009 03:04am | #318

            no, you didn't say, HE did..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          9. Piffin | Feb 18, 2009 04:55am | #320

            Pitt would be a good Brian, except that he's too tall.'course, in the movies everything is larger than life! So they say.now that I think on it - DP is a mighty big man, forget the size. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          10. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 18, 2009 05:01am | #321

            now that I think on it - DP is a mighty big man, forget the size.

            This story is growing legs.......... 

          11. User avater
            Luka | Mar 11, 2009 08:24am | #420

            "So what actor do they get to play Brian?"It's a slam dunk...Vin Diesel !
            ....

          12. User avater
            McDesign | Mar 11, 2009 03:52pm | #421

            He'll have to grow some hair . . .

            Forrest

          13. User avater
            Luka | Mar 11, 2009 06:08pm | #422

            No he won't.And the name was just a bonus.
            ....

          14. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 13, 2009 06:50pm | #423

            My insurance company came through big for me.  The paid every penny that I was insured for.  Still about a 10K loss, out of pocket, for me because of my own negligence in not keeping the thing insured for current value, but I can't hold that against the insurance company.  I'm really impressed and grateful right now.  Now if I just had some work. 

            Edit: Cuz I spell stupid sometimes.

            View Image

            Edited 3/13/2009 1:55 pm ET by dieselpig

          15. rez | Mar 13, 2009 08:53pm | #425

            Good on ya.

            Could have been worse then.

            Perhaps time to celebrate a little...

             

            c'mon, you didn't think I'd... 

             

            Edited 3/13/2009 1:54 pm ET by rez

          16. User avater
            Matt | Mar 14, 2009 03:21am | #432

            Pretty funny pic....

            Nice to see what you actually look like.  So many of us ae just a name on a computer screen....

          17. MisterT | Mar 13, 2009 08:55pm | #426

            Glad you got a decent settlement Bro.Work will come.you are too talented to be idle for long..
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          18. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 13, 2009 10:14pm | #427

            Slim pickins out there right now Tony.View Image

          19. theslateman | Mar 13, 2009 10:40pm | #428

            Brian,

            I'm glad that at least the Insurance Co. made good for you.

            One bright spot out of all the gloom.

            Walter

          20. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 13, 2009 11:00pm | #429

            You can say that again.View Image

          21. MisterT | Mar 14, 2009 12:08am | #430

            I hear ya.If my new "bud" wasn't keeping me busy, I'd be looking for a 9-5....
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          22. AitchKay | Mar 14, 2009 01:53am | #431

            That's great, dude! We've all been rootin' for ya!I had a feeling the insurance was going to work out fairly well for you. As I posted earlier, my own experience was a pleasant surprise, even profitable (if you don't count my time)! All I did was be upfront and honest. Nothin' beats being a straight shooter, and being as honest as you can. I'm sure that going back through those receipts and scratching out the items that DIDN'T get stolen went a long way for you.Let's hear it for the Good Guys!AitchKay

        3. brownbagg | Mar 02, 2009 06:06am | #374

          Go pet the dog will ya. It's got to make ya feel better. No one loves you like that animal.remember growing up. when ever you got in trouble and sent to your room, the first thing that would happen is the dog would stick his nose in your face, and then it was all better then,

          1. User avater
            EricPaulson | Mar 02, 2009 02:05pm | #377

            remember growing up. when ever you got in trouble and sent to your room, the first thing that would happen is the dog would stick his nose in your face, and then it was all better then,

            One of the finer things in life. Ain't it the truth!! 

      2. AitchKay | Feb 13, 2009 04:20am | #197

        "It's nice to not feel homicidal anymore as well. For the past few days, I was giving off such bad energy that my dog wouldn't even hang out with me. I was dripping with the angry dude. Not good. But better now."Well, if that's the only good thing to come out of all of this, you could do worse. You walked up to the edge, took a look over, then decided you'd rather stay up here. That's just a little bit more that you now know about yourself, and it's a good thing.Take care.AitchKay

    2. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 03:40am | #192

      I just wanted to address all you great guys one more time too.  There were so many posts full of generosity and support in this thread that it was truly overwhelming.   But if I didn't post or email back directly to you, please know that I'm truly truly grateful for your kind thoughts and generous offers from the bottom of my heart.  I can't thank all of you enough for your support.  It's really been a couple of the weirdest days of my life.... and I've had some pretty weird days.  So I apologize for ranting and raving.... but I also thank you for allowing me to do so.  You guys really have been a big help in bringing me back down to earth and putting this in perspective.  I owe you guys... all of you.  It's nice to feel like "me" again.

      (but I'll still kill 'em if I catch 'em)   ;)View Image

      1. User avater
        Dinosaur | Feb 13, 2009 03:57am | #194

        Keep on keepin' on, Brian.  Keep on keepin' on....

        Dinosaur

        How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 04:14am | #196

          Thanks D.View Image

          1. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 04:21am | #198

            BTW.....

            I gave my tool guy first crack at my list of replacements.  He did the best he could for me, but the truth is that they've let their inventory get way low because the business just isn't there.  I couldn't wait for some of this stuff and he understood that.  So I bought everything from him that I could.

            Then I did what I had to do and shopped at Home Depot for some of it.  I didn't realize that if you spend over $2500 there (doesn't matter what it's on) and you're a contractor... you can submit your order to the "bid room" where they'll knock off a decent amount.  About $300 in my case and I was just over that $2500 limit.  Better than a sharp stick in the eye.  (that's my new line, like it?).   They'll even let you buy all the stuff at the normal price if you don't want to wait.  They'll still submit to the "bid room" and credit your card for the discount.  It was a pleasant surprise in the middle of the shatstorm that my life has been lately.View Image

          2. mathewson | Feb 13, 2009 04:30am | #199

            Dieslpig,Are you restocking your trailer with all these tools? If so you may want to get a gps locator for your trailer. Dewalt seems to have the best package I've seen. I have a setup like yours and reading what happened to you makes my stomach roll over. At least with gps you might find them before they unload.

          3. MikeSmith | Feb 13, 2009 05:10am | #203

            i checked  the  deWalt  mobile lock....  looks  like  about  $500  on  Amazon

             

            http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DS500-MobileLock-Locator-Anti-Theft/dp/B000IZG9VGMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          4. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 05:16am | #204

            Yes, I'm looking at the Dewalt GPS system and I'm going to look into LoJack tomorrow.  I remember it was an option when I bought my forklift... so I'm wondering if they can do it on the trailer.  Keep it powered up would be the issue I'd imagine.  But yeah... I'm not going commando this time.  I had an alarm in my trailer, but it stopped working a couple years back and the franchise who installed it had gone under.  I just let it slide.  I also don't think I'll be leaving the trailer on jobs any more either.  It's a hassle to drag it back and forth... but it can't be as big a hassle as this has been.View Image

          5. mathewson | Feb 13, 2009 05:26am | #209

            Yes it is a pain to haul everyday, but my policy is don't leave tools on the job and haul the trailer back to the shop every night. It may seem like overkill to people who have never been hit, but I've hit once a few years ago and the memory lingers. With about $30k in tools at risk I'd rather burn the gas hauling.

          6. andybuildz | Feb 13, 2009 04:44am | #201

            I'll tell you exactly what the lesson is Brian.

            When you think things are bad and you become absorbed in it just wait...one "little" thing happens out of left field that you totally don't expect. Maybe good...maybe bad...but it's just something...and it totally changes everything for you and you start to wonder why you wasted so much energy freaking from the last thing that happened.

            I sorta went through  that with this house. Was totally freaking that it wasn't selling and then this financial mess started happeing and things got worse...and worse...and worse...and I had no real work to speak of...and my bills were piling up and I thought...I'm actually gonna lose my house....then I went out and handed out freekin' fliers looking for work.... I did every conceivable thing I could think of...Pennysaver ads even..a website from GoDaddy I made "Punchlist Plus".

            I got one tiny call and I thought cool...it's up the hill on a seriously expensive street I handed fliers out on (stuffed mailboxes). I passed one mansion after the next down a private road to the house. Was a freekin' tiny piece a crappola house. Where's that come from??? An oversized garage. the guy wanted 4 Andersens put in.

            Long story short. I acted like it was on eof those mansions. I treated them like they owned the entire village here..............turned out his grandfather pretty much DID!!

            20 acres over looking the harbor here in Cold Spring Harbor....I got TONS of work from them b/c he saw how I treated him and my work and he knew I had no idea who he was. He was the caretaker of all his grandfathers properties including that mansion on 20 acres.

            I landed yet another job from that job...then another.

            My bills are all up to date and I'm booked for another two months or more with other work.

            All my worrying did nothing but make me feel sick...thats all it did. Stupid!

            I know...easy to say....

            who knows what may be up the road one way or another?

             

             

             

            http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

            http://www.ramdass.org

             

          7. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 05:18am | #206

            You're probably right Andy.  No, you are right.  But when I'm "in it" it's tough to see the forest through the trees, ya know?  I'm getting there though.View Image

          8. dovetail97128 | Feb 13, 2009 05:22am | #208

            Heard a saying a few years back.... If you have a problem and you are mired in it the solution is to go find a bigger problem.
            They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

          9. andybuildz | Feb 13, 2009 05:44am | #210

            Yeh...thats why I read Henri Charriere's Papillon so many times...

            edit:...I think it's time to read his other book again too...Banco.

             

             

             

            http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

            http://www.ramdass.org

             

            Edited 2/12/2009 9:49 pm ET by andybuildz

            Edited 2/12/2009 9:55 pm ET by andybuildz

      2. cliffy | Feb 13, 2009 04:42am | #200

        I thought it was friendly of you to offer us a lift a few days ago before this trailer fiasco happened.  After watching this post and some of the classiness of  you and other posters I'm impressed. ( For example I didn't know you are an Irishman).

        I don't know where abouts you are located, but if you anywhere close to Waltham,  you would be certainly welcome to join my brother and buddy and I for a cold one on our road trip.  I noticed the sober comments so of course the cold one can be a coke.  I'm an Irishman too and my cold ones are always cokes.

        Glad to see you getting back in the saddle.  I'm sure you love looking back at a smaller pile of material at the end of the day and feeling that special satisfaction knowing you built something that will be around for years.

        Have a good day

        Cliffy

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 05:17am | #205

          Cliffy... I just may take you up on that.  Let me know when it gets a little closer.  It'd be nice to meet you.View Image

      3. john7g | Feb 13, 2009 06:13am | #211

        I gotta tell you Brian, I learn from nearly eveyone of your posts, just no telling what I'm gonna learn.  You're definitely a class act. 

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 06:20am | #212

          LOL... I'm glad someone's learning something.  I'm pretty much stuck in "What the F just happened?"  mode.View Image

          1. john7g | Feb 13, 2009 06:38am | #215

            Have you had your scope out lately?  We've had some pretty decent nites lately.  Been gaxing at this lately.  You had one in the trailer for insurance to cover didn't you?

          2. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 13, 2009 06:50am | #217

            Hi John, I actually haven't been out much this winter.  I get sick of being cold from working in it all day and tend to wimp out at night.  I'm hoping to get out this weekend though... I recently picked up a used xt10i w/ a Moonlite focuser to add to the collection.   A few early spring galaxy clusters might be just what the Dr. ordered! 

            That looks like a nice imager.  I'm strictly a visual guy.  Not enough brains, money, time or patience to image.  :)View Image

          3. User avater
            DDay | Feb 13, 2009 04:45pm | #219

            here's the direct link to that street in google maps. zoom out and you can see rt 93 and the where the exits are. It's an out of the way area, I doubt someone would drive to that area to leave it if they were not familiar with the area somewhat.http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fineview%20Rd%2C%20windham%2C%20nh&oe=utf-8rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1ie=UTF-8&sa=Nhl=en&tab=wl

  44. oldhouseguy | Feb 13, 2009 08:27pm | #221

    My deepest sympathies for this sorry state of affairs. A sign of the times as  the perceived rift between the haves and the  have nots widens. What is tragic is that the conventional wisdom pushed by the entitlement lobby promotes the thinking that justifies "what is mine could be yours".  I had 2600 #'s of copper "liberated" from a home in Michigan last year--- a hybrid radiant and hot water system. The police didn't even bother to check the local junk yards for the manifolds and other tell tale clues.

    I hope you are able to recover some of the items. As you rebuild consider digital photos of future purchases including ones of the receipt .  

    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 14, 2009 03:02am | #230

      oldhouseguy,

      I'm equally sorry to hear of your loss as well.  It's a horrible feeling to know that something you've worked hard to earn is probably being sold for pennies on the dollar somewhere.

      I used to take digital pictures of all my tools and record their serial numbers.  I slacked off in the past couple years and unfortunately I turn my tools over pretty quickly.  Some of my information was/is still current though.  And yes... I have picked up the habit once again of taking pics and recording serial numbers as I try to re-stock my trailer.  I do save most every receipt for my business though.  I still have all of them since I started out in 03.  That's been a huge and help and may be the difference between the insurance company helping me out or leaving me in the cold.View Image

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Feb 14, 2009 03:10am | #231

        An interested related note about tools, security, etc.

        In taking digital pics and recording serial numbers of my recent replacement purchases I was a bit alarmed to see that some tool companies are using STICKERS to mark their tools with a serial number.  Dewalt had quite a few in particular that I came across.  This seems about as useful as teets on a bull to me.  I'm not talking about those crazy "peel apart in a million pieces" stickers either.  I'm talking about stickers that came off fairly easy with just a finger nail.  Trust me... I checked. Seems to me that a serial number should be etched into the tool as permanently as possible. View Image

  45. User avater
    dieselpig | Feb 15, 2009 11:29pm | #237

    "when I woke up late in the afternoon

    She had taken all the things from inside my room

    I found myself sleeping in the middle of the floor

    She had taken the bed, and the chest of drawers

    The mirror, the tv, the new guitar cord

    My remote control, and my old skateboard

    She robbed us blind, took all we owned

    And the boys blamed me for bringing her home."

     

    For those of you who'll stop and watch a train wreck in action........ $27K and counting.  Insured for $18K tops.  Check those policies boys.  Don't be a half a moron like me.

     

    View Image

    View Image
    1. Snort | Feb 15, 2009 11:36pm | #238

      Those guys knew what they doing... I see the left that POS feather board!http://www.tvwsolar.com

      I went down to the lobby

      To make a small call out.

      A pretty dancing girl was there,

      And she began to shout,

      "Go on back to see the gypsy.

      He can move you from the rear,

      Drive you from your fear,

      Bring you through the mirror.

      He did it in Las Vegas,

      And he can do it here."

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Feb 15, 2009 11:48pm | #240

        Yeah, that thing is a POS.  That little pile in the corner is all stuff that was at the bottom of a cardboard box that the bottom had worn out on... stored in the white cabinet.  Must have grabbed the box and that stuff fell out.

        The more I think about it (a lot) I've pretty much accepted the fact that none of it is ever gonna turn up.  They took cases of framing nails, sm open 5lb boxes of nails, tubes of caulking, subfloor glue, chalk, screws, etc.  Not just tools.  I think the whole shootin' match went directly to a fence for a lump-sum sale price.  Probably all in the back of a cargo van headed across country by now.View Image

    2. rez | Feb 15, 2009 11:39pm | #239

      It makes me hope I never catch a thief in the act as I don't know if I might snap and go over the line. Years later you get out of prison sent there for guilty of homicide.

      It can be a concerning thought. Just getting small things stolen gets to me let alone a major deal like yours.

      I see they left you a few odd cans on the shelf. I got ripped once in a duplex where they had all the cleaning supplies in a 5gal bucket sitting by the exit window in back but I must have been driving up or something startled them and they left it there.

      Hope things pan out well for you in the aftermath.

      Edited 2/15/2009 3:42 pm ET by rez

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Feb 15, 2009 11:50pm | #241

        T-I-M-E

        Things

        I

        Must

        Earn.

         

        Time will fix this Rez.  That's about it.  I'm sick of being angry.  So I'm not.  Much anyway.  I've put together everything the insurance company asked for... and then some.  I've opened up my whole life to their scrutiny.... credit checks, mortgage statements, tax returns, etc.  It's up to them to do the right thing now.  Them and the police.  Who I've completely lost faith in.View Image

        1. User avater
          Luka | Feb 16, 2009 12:24am | #242

          Brian,Practice makes perfect.Venting one's anger is a necessity. Otherwise pent up anger damages US.But if someone just keeps venting their anger... At some point it stops being venting, and becomes practicing.It becomes easier and easier to get angry at the stupidest things, etc.To my knowledge, you have never been one to hold onto your anger. Or to 'practice' your anger...It is good to see that you have stayed true to form.=0)On a different note... Now I am really hopping mad. I can't believe that they even stole your girlie pinup pics !!! Whyyyyyyy I aughta....
          Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

    3. dcarroll3000 | Feb 16, 2009 01:26am | #247

      she's crafty by the Beastie Boys?  A classic.

      Didn't figure you for a fan. Atleast you haven't lost your sense of humor.

      Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

      Personally.... I'd haul the trailer to the job even 1/2 full just to show the yahoos that

      they can't break ya. (And... pull it home every night.)

       

      take care,

      -d

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 01:34am | #248

        Trailer went back to work on Friday.  Gotta fly my colors, ya know.View Image

        1. User avater
          Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 01:37am | #249

          You got the lift there? Hang the trailer up in the air like they do on the big jobs!  Take the wheels off too.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

           

          They kill Prophets, for Profits.

           

           

          1. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 01:46am | #250

            Yeah, the lift is there. It's a cool idea... but it takes less time to just take the trailer home with me dude.  And it lets me sleep at night which I'm not sure I could do knowing that a stiff breeze, weak sling, or blown line would clean me out.View Image

          2. JohnT8 | Feb 17, 2009 09:24pm | #305

            Wow... I was late to this rodeo.  didn't see the thread until you linked to it.

            I was going to make Sphere's suggestion of hoisting it.  When they were building the new Walmart last year, they had lots of stuff hoisted at night and on weekends.  If you knew a good welder, he might be able to makes some modifications to the trailer so that you just had to roll up and fork it (so you weren't having to mess with straps or anything).

            Just consider it good advertising as your logo gets hoisted 20-30' into the air ;)

            Maybe the news or paper would notice and want to do a story on it.

            [edit to add] OK, I see people have already poo-poo'ed that idea.  But it works for walmart!

            jt8

            If you aren't embarrassed by your offer, then you are offering too much!  --DanT

            Edited 2/17/2009 1:32 pm by JohnT8

          3. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 16, 2009 01:53am | #251

                It's hydraulic all they have to do is break open the cab window and let it down. It doesn't need to be running.Taking the trailer tires might help though.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          4. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 02:04am | #252

            I was half joking, but you bring up a real good point! Ok, next plan...a dummy trailer, ya know a Decoy..some of that bank dye exploding stuff? Lessee..leave it OPEN and rig the ( get some junk tools) dummy tools to blow!

            Oh yeah..this could work..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          5. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 16, 2009 02:18am | #256

                 Pay Rasta Honky to live in it.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          6. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 02:24am | #258

            I bet Rasta Honky can find them dye packs...I hear he has "connections" with banks.

             Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          7. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 16, 2009 02:29am | #260

                We don't mess with them believe it or not. It's a real special item very few people do. The banks actualy rent them. I have seen one go off. It wasn't pretty.

               The new deal now is GPS packs. Safer and leaves less mess.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          8. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 02:31am | #261

             bet Rasta Honky can find them dye packs...

            I think someone has suggested this before, but painting all of one's tools the gayest shade of pink imaginable might be a good deterent.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          9. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 02:35am | #263

            Let Mikey try it ( your Mikey, not Smittty) he'll try anything..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          10. JHOLE | Feb 16, 2009 06:09pm | #276

            FWIW, after my trailer got hit I came up with a really nifty system involving a container of Bleach, a container of Ammonia, and a trip wire that would, if not "detripped" prior to entry, mix the two containers...

            Never got to try it out real world, decommissioned the trailer for site use.Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City

          11. Bing187 | Feb 16, 2009 06:19pm | #277

            Having lost about 15k in tools over the years, I can say I've considered stuff like that.

            But as a firefighter, I wouldn't be too jazzed if your trailer caught fire and upon opening it, was greeted by a chemical cloud, even with a scott on.

            Have to consider that, no matter how careful you may be, some innocent might be the one to open a "booby-trapped" container.

            Now on the other hand, I DID discuss the possibility, after losing 5k in compressor, generator, etc. from a HD parking lot in broad daylight, of climbing in the trailer, having a friend drive it to HD and go inside, whilst I sat in the back with a six-pack and a baseball bat, waiting for someone to pop the lock. Sure would be nice to see the look on their faces..:)

            Some food for thought anyway............

            Bing

          12. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 06:59pm | #278

            whilst I sat in the back with a six-pack and a baseball bat, waiting for someone to pop the lock. Sure would be nice to see the look on their faces.

            I'd hate to see the look on your face if they were packing when they opened the doors. You ever see "Raiders of the Lost Ark"?http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          13. Bing187 | Feb 16, 2009 10:57pm | #279

            Sure did....But their gun wouldn't do any good when the giant stone ball rolled out of the trailer. ;)

            B

          14. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 11:11pm | #280

            Bwahahahahttp://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          15. splintergroupie | Feb 16, 2009 11:36pm | #281

            This is why i love guys. You start out with a full-blown, real-life catastrophe - not one of those phoney, bail-out ones - and pretty soon beer is lubricating some McGyverish way of getting even.This is almost as good as the copper-supply-lines thread.

          16. Piffin | Feb 16, 2009 11:39pm | #282

            copper supply is soooo 2002ish 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          17. splintergroupie | Feb 16, 2009 11:51pm | #283

            Too bad DP's tools can't be showing up like that thread. Unlike the gentlemen here, i'd do my level best to turn anyone breaking into my place into worm food. I also used to paint my 'portable' tools pink when i had other folks working in the shop; i need to revisit that practice. I wonder if it affects the value of a Stanley #55...

          18. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 17, 2009 12:16am | #284

            And Now a Moment of silence....followed by TAPS.

             

            REZ got it for the picture, he can read only as of now..

            He said if it helped Brian, it was worth it.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          19. mike585 | Feb 17, 2009 12:26am | #285

            I think it helped Brian. I know it helped me.

          20. MikeSmith | Feb 17, 2009 12:33am | #286

            hey.... rez  took   one  for  the team.....  whatta  guy  !Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          21. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 17, 2009 12:38am | #287

            Nice to see Taunton reaffirming their sense of humor (or lack thereof) 

          22. splintergroupie | Feb 17, 2009 12:47am | #288

            Great! Depress me! Rez posts my cheesecake shot in Doud's shower all over and the mods don't even yawn. Being an attention whore after 50 is a LOT more work, let me tell ya.

          23. mike585 | Feb 17, 2009 12:54am | #289

            Being an attention whore after 50 is a LOT more work, let me tell ya.

            They musta thought she was under 18. Don't be discouraged.

          24. splintergroupie | Feb 17, 2009 01:07am | #290

            Someone needs to send me that pic so i can get my feminist shorts in a twist. Late-mate Ian and i used to go to this sports bar he called "The Nubility". He said he really enjoyed their nachos. I think he said "nachos"...it was loud in there.

          25. Snort | Feb 17, 2009 02:16am | #291

            Ha, my 87 year dad old keeps wanting me to take him to Hooters... he says the menu is very well written.http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          26. splintergroupie | Feb 17, 2009 02:26am | #292

            He probably sees those raised dots and thinks "Braille".

          27. Snort | Feb 17, 2009 02:28am | #293

            I think she spells her name Brayell.http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          28. splintergroupie | Feb 17, 2009 02:31am | #294

            She can spell???

          29. DavidxDoud | Feb 17, 2009 02:56am | #296

            take him - life is short and death is sure - "there's enough for everyone"

          30. Snort | Feb 17, 2009 03:49pm | #301

            Next time he's here, it's a road trip... now I've gotta work on my boys<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          31. DavidxDoud | Feb 17, 2009 04:37pm | #303

            "now I've gotta work on my boys"indeed - it's important to model behaviour - that way they'll at least feel guilty - "there's enough for everyone"

          32. mike585 | Feb 17, 2009 02:59am | #297

            He might teach you a trick or two.

          33. hmj | Feb 17, 2009 04:09pm | #302

            A guy was telling a story about taking has dad to a West-By-God Virginia nudie bar. Dancers well past their prime, dirty feet an knees, missing teeth. Said even Dad, who in his 70's should have been grateful for anything, gasped in horror and disbelief.

          34. User avater
            FatRoman | Feb 17, 2009 03:16am | #298

            Driving last night and passed a motel named "The Virginia Lodge"'cept last night the "ia" were un-neoned.Big bright letters like a shining city on a hill.Closest thing to a sign from the gods as I'm going to get. LOL'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

            View Image

          35. splintergroupie | Feb 17, 2009 03:29am | #299

            Sounds intentional! Tastier for sure that the restaurant in Fresno where we occasionally ate: The Black Angus. Occasionally, the neon "G" would be repaired, but the target was too tempting for that to last very long.

          36. AitchKay | Feb 17, 2009 06:05am | #300

            Hey, how far's The Old Log Inn?AitchKay

          37. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 02:06am | #253

            The valve's won't work unless the engine is running.  But it still wouldn't be that hard.  Most everyone's got Cat keys anyway.  And I think it's a smokin' OSHA fine to leave the boom up any way.  And a huge liability.View Image

          38. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 02:14am | #254

            Most everyone's got Cat keys anyway.

            I can start about any telehandler/boom lift/bulldozer/backhoe, etc with a piece of wire and a screwdriver. I'm not sure we even have a key to my machine anymore. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          39. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 02:18am | #255

            That's what I'm sayin'.  Daughter home safe yet?View Image

          40. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 02:29am | #259

            Daughter home safe yet?

            Nah - I think the bus leaves about 10PM tonight. She'll be home by noon tomorrow. Watch the morning news. She'll probably be involved in a hostage situation at a McDonalds on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at about 4AM if recent past history is any indication. It's been almost 24 hours since I've had to speak with any sort of "official" about her. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          41. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 02:44am | #266

            She sounds like me (and maybe you?) at 16.  God bless ya.  I can't believe my old man never killed me.  Hang in there.  Good thing you're a cool cat.View Image

          42. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 02:57am | #269

            Good thing you're a cool cat.

            maybe, maybe not.

            DW tends to be a little vindictive, though.

            This morning she was upset because I had spoken three sentences and used a curse word in all of them. She asked me if if I had to use at least one curse word in every sentence. I told her "hell no".

            She hasn't spoken to me since. That worked out OK.

             http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          43. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 02:59am | #270

            Was them sentances said during the church service? She may have a point.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          44. seeyou | Feb 16, 2009 03:05am | #271

            Was them sentances said during the church service?

            Nope. They were said while I was eating my oatmeal and she kept asking me when I was gonna do this or that or the other thing. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

          45. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 16, 2009 03:08am | #272

            Must be related to my wife, I had that with ny oatmeal too. Thats where I avoided eye contact, the oat meal wasn't bitchin at me.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

             

             

          46. Snort | Feb 16, 2009 02:33am | #262

            Glad to hear you're working it out. When my truck and tools got nicked, cops caught the thief in my truck, no tools or cap. For three months I went to pawnshops and flea markets, never found a thing. When I finally realized I had already gotten back what I needed, and most of it was exactly what I needed...I was over the taking it personally thing... wipe the sheit off my shoes and keep on truckin'.And, I think it was Brownbagg who uttered "the angry gonna eat you up"...lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day.http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          47. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 02:38am | #264

            lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day.

            That's it right there man.View Image

          48. ClaysWorld | Feb 18, 2009 02:19am | #311

            Kinda late to the disaster and feeling your pain.

             The way it works out is you end up transferring the hate to the secondary abusers who then be come the real criminals.(those that are paid to defend and those that are paid to insure)

             Any how  my first thought but after seeing it's to late for that.(Feb 9) was to rent a helicopter and track it down while it was ? maybe running.

             But To hunt for multiple Craigs list .org  you can use Google and go to advanced search.(on the rt side of fill in window) This way instead of a specific area only on craigs list it will list all postings on craigs list of that item. When you fill out the advanced search when you get to Search within a site or domain: put in the Craigslist.org

            Not sure if the above was suggested but I am going back to reading, I was at #60.

            So on the bright side Your not in jail for murder and your getting all new tools.

            That's the best I got so keep the faith and again  I"m sorry for your loss.

            Whew got thrugh all of them.

            the last thing on the advanced search is if it's an older listing it will still show up so,then when you pull it up it may say the item has been sold but you can track the ad data.

            Edited 2/17/2009 8:13 pm by ClaysWorld

          49. jayzog | Feb 18, 2009 02:39am | #313

            After reading this thread, I think I may just put one of these in my trailer http://www.zoombak.com 

            Looks interesting, would text you if the device leaves the parameters that you set up.

            I have no info as to how well it works.

          50. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 16, 2009 02:20am | #257

                Best to just leave grenades tied to trip wires on every handle. So you lose a forgetful crew member once in awhile. It's his fault. He should have been on the ball.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          51. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 02:42am | #265

              Best to just leave grenades tied to trip wires on every handle. So you lose a forgetful crew member once in awhile. It's his fault. He should have been on the ball.

            See, now if I ruled the world.... that'd be ok.  Makes perfect sense to me.  I also think you should have the right to fire the cops and take over the case yourself if you want to.  And be allowed to use any available means that they have at their disposal to investigate.  It'd save money and time. 

            They still won't tell me if they've looked at the traffic cameras all over the intersection in front of the jobsite.  It's getting so that I'm more po'ed at them than the thief.  I kinda don't blame the thiefs anymore.  Why wouldn't they steal trailers?  Nobody's looking for 'em anyway.  View Image

          52. User avater
            EricPaulson | Feb 16, 2009 02:47am | #268

            They still won't tell me if they've looked at the traffic cameras all over the intersection in front of the jobsite.  It's getting so that I'm more po'ed at them than the thief.  I kinda don't blame the thiefs anymore.  Why wouldn't they steal trailers?  Nobody's looking for 'em anyway.  

             You're so cynical........... (~:/

            Too bad it's the truth though.

            Glad to hear you moving on. 

          53. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 16, 2009 03:15am | #273

                 I bet they haven't looked at the traffic cameras. Your point is the same as mine. They have this give up attitude. Like I said in an earlier post. I'd be down there asking the detectives boss why I can't get any cooperation. And I wouldn't let him blow me off. You don't have anything to lose act like it. They owe you answers, and you should get them. Any competent cop would at least acknowledge you. F Them.

                Now you have my blood boiling. Glad it's time for my workout, that poor bag is gonna suffer tonight. :)

                And remember Gunners golden rule on murder if you should find the guys. The cops don't arrest you for killing anyone. They arrest you for not cleaning up after yourself. Repeat that ten times.

             

             

              C'mon C'mon and do..... The locomotion with me.

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sCNRnn7GA

          54. MikeSmith | Feb 16, 2009 04:41pm | #274

            all cops work  and  report  to  someone... and  that  person reports  to   someone  else

            if  i  wasn't   getting  satisfaction  ... i'd  ask around  in   that  town  and  find  out  who   the  councilmen  are   and  who  knows  them...

            someone   just  has  to  have  their  priorities  rearranged..... either  by  "squeaky wheel".....  or  by  political  pressure  from  aboveMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          55. RalphWicklund | Feb 16, 2009 06:02pm | #275

            Brian, the comment in Seeyou's thread got me looking for the reference to you.

            What a bummer... a cheap shot in the gut.. looks like three sets of nads needs to be drying in the sun somewhere.

            Mike's suggestion of going up the food chain is good. We have done that with very good results. We are on a first name, breaking bread relationship with our city councilman. We haven't had to go to the mayor, yet.

          56. Novy | Feb 16, 2009 02:46am | #267

            Hmmmmm?

            How about a bolt together platform to put the trailer on at night with the telehandler? Add some lighting and you have a billboard............

            Just don't leave the lifting straps on the jobsite. There must be some type of lockout for the telehandler as well? 

            On a hill by the harbour

          57. JohnT8 | Feb 17, 2009 09:25pm | #306

            It's hydraulic all they have to do is break open the cab window and let it down

            Oh sure, pee on our charcoal!

            It doesn't need to be running.Taking the trailer tires might help though.

            That just forces them to cut your lock and unload it on site.  So maybe they wouldn't have time to get the subfloor adhesive and screws.

             jt8

            If you aren't embarrassed by your offer, then you are offering too much!  --DanT

          58. MisterT | Feb 17, 2009 09:29pm | #307

            3-4 hungry Rottwielers in side that are trained to lay silent until some one steps inside, would be good..
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          59. JohnT8 | Feb 17, 2009 09:33pm | #308

            3-4 hungry Rottwielers in side that are trained to lay silent until some one steps inside, would be good.

            And they get a free ride to NH.

             jt8

            lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day. --Snort

  46. Scrapr | Feb 16, 2009 01:05am | #243

    ooohhh you a bad boy

     

     

  47. User avater
    dieselpig | Feb 16, 2009 01:09am | #244

    Ah... there she is.  Hadn't seen her in awhile. 

    View Image
    1. User avater
      Luka | Feb 16, 2009 01:16am | #246

      Save it while you can.I doubt the pic, (and maybe even Rez ;o) ), will last very long.
      Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer

  48. User avater
    IMERC | Feb 16, 2009 01:13am | #245

    lovely....

     

     

     

    be counting down...

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  49. RJB | Feb 17, 2009 02:48am | #295

    Brian,

    I just saw this post..haven't been on in a couple of weeks. I haven't read through all the responses, but I wanted to let you know I have a Kreg K2000 kit in near new condition that you are welcome to use while your insurance claims are sorted out. I'm in the metrowest area. Let me know if you're interested.

    Rick

  50. dovetail97128 | Feb 18, 2009 04:33am | #319

    Been thinking about your situation.

    Seems to me that the usual suspects would have grabbed the valuables and left the "junk" so eliminate them.

    Now a builder would keep everything he saw, knows the value of the stuff the drug head would pass up.
    So would a person rebuilding a house, never have enough parts and stuff you need.
    Third possibility is someone who does flea markets/ garage sales, anything they can put a sale tag on is worth something.

    Unfortunately the ad you placed on craigs list may well have sent the perps into hiding for awhile, but a flyer out to any and all lumber yards and chain outlets in the area may yet turn up something.

    Couple of perps here were busted because a vivtim asked the 2 major lumber yards here to advise all their yards of his loss, perps posted a "for sale equipment" sign in a branch yard, town 40 miles away and the manager recognized some of the items on the list.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Feb 18, 2009 05:02am | #322

      I actually yanked that ad shortly after I posted it... for the reason you mentioned.  Who knows if any damage was done.  I've faxed my list out (along with the serial numbers and pictures that I have) out to a bunch of places...pawn shops, lumber yards, tool dealers etc.  Delivered a bunch in person too.  I think I've actually covered most of the bases that I can at this point... short of making it a career.  I said to myself Saturday morning that I'd spend this one last day "full time" hunting and then let it go and get on with it.  So that's pretty much what I'm doing.  The good news is that I've got a lot of folks on my side of this.... framers, tool salesman, lumber salesman, even befriended a couple pawn shop owners.  If I get an actual lead of some sort... I'd drop everything and follow up on it.  But for now, I've done my best to get the word out and follow whatever leads I had to work with.  Gotta get on with gettin' on. 

      On a brighter note... I did get a call from a detective today.  One that actually asked me questions and listened to my ideas on the matter.  That alone made me feel better.  Who knows what will come of it, but I do feel better after being given the impression that at least it mattered to someone who could actually do something about it.  He said he looked into those traffic cameras and that they're not actually pointed at the cars... they just somehow moniter the lights themselves.  I don't get it... but I gotta accept it.  He also checked out the gas station tapes in the area but none of them have cameras pointed at the streets... just the pumps.  He said he is going to visit the person who thinks they saw it happen though.  It's something.View Image

      1. dovetail97128 | Feb 18, 2009 06:05am | #323

        You are doing the right thing in trying to let it go.
        Time may show the cops better than they sure seemed to appear at first. Best of luck with the whole thing and keep "doing the next right thing".
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

      2. User avater
        Gunner | Feb 23, 2009 05:36am | #324

          Is this the cop assigned to your case?

        View Image

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

           1969, Lake Stevens pee wee league champion Eagles co starting right fielder. 1970 Casse Camp field days, bicycle race leader for one lap. Third place three legged sack race. 1976 dodge ball 4th runner up for Mvp (shirts) and 1979 most improved runner in the egg race Shepherdsville junior high. 1980 Bullitt Central High School co 4th place winner short story contest in Mr.Whites english class!

           

            REPRESENTING!

         

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gxsNogQDo&feature=related

        1. User avater
          dieselpig | Feb 23, 2009 06:22am | #325

          LOL... yeah that's gotta be her.  What a great pic.View Image

          1. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 23, 2009 06:32am | #326

                 Your were the first one I thought of when I saw it. LOL

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

               1969, Lake Stevens pee wee league champion Eagles co starting right fielder. 1970 Casse Camp field days, bicycle race leader for one lap. Third place three legged sack race. 1976 dodge ball 4th runner up for Mvp (shirts) and 1979 most improved runner in the egg race Shepherdsville junior high. 1980 Bullitt Central High School co 4th place winner short story contest in Mr.Whites english class!

               

                REPRESENTING!

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gxsNogQDo&feature=related

          2. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 23, 2009 06:36am | #327

            Love the piece....wide open like that... nice easy access.  LOL... unbelievable.View Image

          3. joeh | Feb 23, 2009 07:10am | #328

             

            Love the piece....wide open like that... nice easy access.

            Probably plastic, who'd trust her with the real thing?

            Joe H

          4. User avater
            Gunner | Feb 23, 2009 07:46pm | #329

            Ease it out. Stick up a bank, ease it back in. No big deal:)

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

               1969, Lake Stevens pee wee league champion Eagles co starting right fielder. 1970 Casse Camp field days, bicycle race leader for one lap. Third place three legged sack race. 1976 dodge ball 4th runner up for Mvp (shirts) and 1979 most improved runner in the egg race Shepherdsville junior high. 1980 Bullitt Central High School co 4th place winner short story contest in Mr.Whites english class!

               

                REPRESENTING!

             

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gxsNogQDo&feature=related

          5. rez | Feb 23, 2009 11:14pm | #330

            diesel, yer always gettin' me into trouble! snorK*

            Any word on your stuff?

          6. User avater
            dieselpig | Feb 24, 2009 06:37am | #335

            LOL... you ain't blaming me for that one.  But thanks for falling on your sword for me.  As far as the contents of the trailer... nada, zip, zilch.  Just a call from the insurance adjuster telling me she needs my taxes returns from 03 to 07.  Exactly who are we investigating here?View Image

          7. dcarroll3000 | Feb 24, 2009 03:10pm | #336

            DP,

             You use "warrior" a lot in describing your guys or tools. Thought you'd get a kick out of this.

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yVaHKcs9E

             

            -d

             

          8. davidmeiland | Feb 24, 2009 06:32pm | #337

            What does your policy say about them requesting tax returns as part of settling a claim? That'd piss me off. Best I would do is let them review them in my office. The only thing that might be relevant is your depreciation schedule, or maybe a list of expensed tools, if you list them.

          9. Piffin | Mar 01, 2009 03:19pm | #342

            david's mention of taxes reminded me -
            keep your file on all this. you can deduct on income tax any unre-imbursed catastrophic losses on this while deal. 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          10. dovetail97128 | Mar 01, 2009 06:53pm | #343

            My experience with that is he needs to make sure he gets a copy if the WRITTEN police report , the IRS can and will deny the claim without one.BTDT
            They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

          11. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 07:03pm | #346

            Thanks Piff.  I save everything anyway but I plan to talk to my accountant about the whole thing anyway when I go in for my taxes next week.  We're going to have a few appts. soon anyway as I recently incorporated (finally) and have a lot of questions about how to operate properly under this status.   I gotta start doing a better job of actually running my business like a business.View Image

          12. davidmeiland | Mar 01, 2009 07:29pm | #347

            From what I've heard it's difficult or impossible to get a new Sawhelper right now. May be quite a while before they are back in production.

          13. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 08:33pm | #348

            Oh, I didn't know that.  Hadn't even made the call yet.  Any idea why?  Just curious.  I bought mine just about 18months ago...from the new owner of the company... I'm wondering what problems he's having or if he's just giving up on it?View Image

          14. User avater
            DDay | Mar 01, 2009 08:51pm | #349

            http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45512&highlight=helper

          15. davidmeiland | Mar 01, 2009 09:16pm | #350

            From all of the unsubstantiated hearsay I've heard said, he's looking for a new supplier for his parts and hasn't had enough sales lately to stay happy. If he wanted to sell that brand I would seriously try to find a way to buy it. If his patent expires I might do something else!

          16. mike585 | Mar 01, 2009 09:38pm | #351

            check your email

          17. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 09:55pm | #352

            done and replied.  Thanks Mike.View Image

          18. Shoeman | Mar 03, 2009 07:57am | #392

            Too bad you are not in MN

            http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1056779523.html

          19. davidmeiland | Mar 03, 2009 08:13am | #393

            Man.... someone should go buy that.

          20. Shoeman | Mar 03, 2009 04:56pm | #394

            Yeah, I may just have to run down there just to store it in my garage - as a one man show, I don't really need two.

          21. frammer52 | Mar 03, 2009 07:02pm | #395

            Buy it, someone on here would buy it from you, I'm sure!>G<

          22. rez | Mar 03, 2009 07:39pm | #396

            You might not need it but you sure could use it.

             

            be customizing yer EZ Guide setup a little more:o)

          23. Kit_Camp | Mar 03, 2009 07:52pm | #397

            Brian,I like the stickers. Mind posting a link to where you found them, if you have one?Thnx.

          24. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 03, 2009 10:20pm | #398

            No problem, I had them made here:

            http://www.mavericklabel.com/

            It was pretty easy.  I just read about the different materials they offered, chose one, picked out a size, filled in my text, and attached a file with the logo I wanted to use.  A day later they sent me the proof.  Should have the labels in a week.  It was a little pricey though... I ordered 250 labels and they considered that a "short run" ....about $176.View Image

          25. restorationday | Mar 03, 2009 11:11pm | #399

            Thought of something that could be done.If you had a trailer with electric brakes you could wire a motion sensing switch of some kind into the circuit. Power the switch on when the trailer is parked and if the trailer moves it will activate and lockup the brakes. Make it really hard to move the trailer. To reset the brakes you turn off power to circuit. A button hidden somewhere in the trailer could be the on/off switch. If you want to move the trailer you just switch the circuit off.
            You could even wire the trailer lights to blink rapidly if the switch is tripped.
            I am not sure how you would wire such a circuit but I am sure someone with basic electronic circuit knowledge could do it.

          26. frammer52 | Mar 04, 2009 12:31am | #400

            That might work, but what about the fact that a person can just break in when it is on site.  They don't take a lot of strength to breat into.

          27. restorationday | Mar 04, 2009 04:37am | #404

            That's what the claymore mounted just inside the door is for...It was just a thought about making it a PITA for thieves to quickly steal the trailer and then take time later to clean the thing out. Cleaning a trailer out onsite is more risky to the thieves

          28. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 04, 2009 05:23am | #405

            Right.  It would still hurt to get hit, but chances are at least they can't or won't take EVERYTHING.  In fact I think the pro's would probably only touch it if they could take the whole thing and clean it at their leisure.  But the junkies and kids might cut in and take what they could carry or fit in a trunk.  A minor victory, but a victory none the less. 

            I've still got a red LED light on the outside of the trailer from the original alarm system.  It would blink like a car alarm light when the system was armed.  I'll bet I could rig that thing up with a pair of alligator clips on a 12V tool battery.  That'd be easy and I'll bet it would make a darn good deterrent.   Not going to prevent anything...but I'll bet it would serve a good purpose.View Image

          29. restorationday | Mar 04, 2009 07:37am | #409

            It what has been said in this thread and many other theft threads for many years... We can never totally prevent theft just make our stuff harder and less attractive to steal. In your case the thieves may have been better seen by the neighbor if the trailer only made it 5 feet before locking up and the lights going crazy or at least he might have taken a better look at them. Had the b@st@rds tried to unload your trailer onsite the neighbor would really have noticed.I have a trailer kind of like yours though I mostly have used it to haul materials and not tools, but I have often left it on site full of cabinets or flooring. I have cut the tongue off the front and had a receiver welded up that I can slide in the tongue and bolt it in when I need to move it. One thing I have in a box somewhere in the storage garage is one of those big fake security cameras that I got for $30 or so on the ebay, I had planned on putting it at the entrance to a job site sometime with a big sign. Deterrence is better than nothing.Good luck
            -Day

          30. Shoeman | Mar 04, 2009 06:41am | #407

            Same guy has this

            http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1056781918.html

             

          31. rez | Mar 04, 2009 06:46am | #408

            You might as well go start the truck and go get it over with.

          32. User avater
            DDay | Mar 01, 2009 06:20am | #338

            Have you checked craigslist recently? There are some things you had listed like a hitachi siding nailer, alumapole, Hitachi framing nailer. One in chelmsford has a bunch of stuff for sale, shows some pics too.http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/tls/1048482872.htmlhttp://boston.craigslist.org/search/tls?query=chelmsford&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

          33. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 07:48am | #339

            Yes, I still check Craig's List daily.  Lotsa tools... none of 'em mine so far though.  Lotta guys going under doesn't help with the glut of used tools on the market to sift through.View Image

          34. JohnT8 | Mar 01, 2009 09:48am | #340

            You got a reconstruction update for us?  Is the new batch of tools leaner and more efficient?

             jt8

            lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day. --Snort

          35. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 06:59pm | #344

            Hi John,

            Naw nothing too crazy with tool purchases yet anyway.  I've really just bought what I needed so far... the basics so to speak.  One I know for certain what my insurance company will do for me I'll begin replacing some of the lesser used or 'luxury' tools.  I know some things will have to wait while other things will need to be replaced fairly quickly.

            So far I've bought a TS, 12" slider, 10" miter, hoses, cords, compressor, recips,full set of levels, hammer drill, a stick framer, a coil nailer.... stuff like that.  Next on the list (after insurance reimbursement) will be a new SawHelper ultrafence, probably another slider, a couple aluminum pics and poles, a new chainsaw and headcutter and I've got to restock on all types of nails and fasteners which is gonna cost a chunk.

            We didn't work last week (finished a job the previous Friday) and don't have work for at least another weeks which is a mixed blessing.  No work always stinks, but it's given me time to take care of a lot of other things that got pushed aside when the trailer was stolen and I had to scramble.  Stuff like taxes, bids, proposals, invoices, revamping the trailer, and careful documentation of new tool purchases for future insurance purposes.  And... a little much needed R&R.... I've been snowshoeing in the White Mtns a couple times last week and actually got my telescopes out under the stars 3 or 4 times too.

            I also set up the Dewalt Mobile Lock gps alarm system in the trailer yesterday as well.  It's not fool proof, but it's a pretty decent system.  I'm still pinpointing the settings to my needs and deciding what, if any, additional accessories I think I might want/need to compliment the basic set up.

            To answer your original question... I can't really think of anything new of flashy that I've picked up that's much better than what I had.  I tend to turn over my tools fairly regularly anyway... and I research before I buy.... so I really had exactly what I wanted/needed before the theft.  Pretty much just replacing what I had for the most part.  Couple minor changes...Bosch table saw instead of the Dewalt I had, bigger hammer drill, better recips, smaller compressor.  Some of that had more to do with what I could find locally the day after the theft than it did with actual thought-out improvements or upgrades.  View Image

          36. dejure | Mar 01, 2009 11:42pm | #353

            By the way, I am sorry to hear about the hit you took. All this reminds me of how important it is to document you own such tools. I bought an expensive digital a couple years back. Memory cards are getting cheap and a four gig will hold around a thousand high res photos. As such, it's not difficult to itemize tools, as well as shop layout and such.Of course, since most contractors don't work more than a twenty hour week and have so much time on their hand, they could add text to critical photos stating model no.'s, purchase dates, or whatever other info would be helpful.On thefts, my buddy had his 60k surveyor's robot stolen. The police were off making Keystone cop movies (without the camera equipment), even after he located it on Ebay (there just aren't that many of them around) and gave them all the contact info. Fortunately, after the cop in charge sat on his thumb, a gal cop grabbed the info and ran with it, making the biggest fencing bust in the history of Pierce County, Washington.The point of this is, don't overlook watching Ebay and Craigs list for leads. Consider a significant reward for recovery or capture. Maybe you can get past the honor among thieves.

          37. lettusbee | Mar 02, 2009 01:32am | #359

            DP,

            Your story hit home with me, mostly because all of my tools live in a trailer, that I take everywhere with me. 

            Regardless, I've been eyeballing the Dewalt antitheft tracking system, and was curious why you chose that over the others.  The theft of your setup has me putting that tool further up the list of gotta have it soon.

             

            Thanks

            David F

          38. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 02, 2009 02:03am | #360

            Wish I had a straight forward answer for you on that one.  I chose the Dewalt system just because it seemed to do what I hope to accomplish.  Like I said (at least I think I said) I'm not 100% sold on it yet.  But I think part of that comes from the fact that it's pretty tough to really completely prevent a trailer from getting either stolen or broken into.  Let's face it... they're flimsy and mobile.  Not really a great place to keep all your valuable stuff when you really think about it.  But they're convenient so we use them. 

            That being said.  I like the Dewalt because of it's GPS capabilities.  I like that it will call, email and text message me any time any of the sensor are tripped.  And it will tell me exactly what was tripped as well.  And I like that I can go on line and track it, real time, should I get that call in the middle of the night sometime.  So really, it's not so much about preventing a break in... but bettering my chances of arresting (no pun intended) a break-in in progress. 

            I also like the fact that it has a four week battery life and doesn't need an external source of power.  I'm going to have to find a way to keep track of and make a routine out of charging the battery though.  Shouldn't be too hard though as I keep a daily jobsite log anyway.  It'll just have to become part of that routine.

            I had a TrailerDog alarm system installed in this same trailer 5 or 6 years ago.  I liked it quite a bit at first.  This system had no GPS capabilites... it simply alarmed the doors and had a vibration sensor as well.  It worked ok at first.  Until we hit a cloudy couple of weeks.  The system's battery charged off a roof mounted solar panel.  The battery couldn't hold a charge long enough to get through cloudy spells.  Every time the battery drained, the system would lose it's memory and I'd have to pay to have someone come out and reprogram the system and the key fobs.  Needless to say, this got old quickly.  And in the meantime, the guy who had the local franchise dropped the business.  The rest is history.

            Another thing I do like about the Dewalt is that I can activate and deactivate the alarm without being anywhere near it... via cellphone or computer.  That's a nice feature should I leave the job early and the guys are still working, or perhaps I simply forget to arm it until after I get home.  I also like the ability to get a systems update any time I want (also via phone, text, or email).  This tells me the current strength of the cellular signal, the system status (armed or disarmed) any recent activity, and the temperature inside the trailer.  But in all honesty, right now I have no plans on leaving the trailer on site again.  I suspect my guard will drop some with time and necessity... at which point having an alarm system will let me sleep a little bit better.

            Those are the pros.  Here are some cons so far:

            I'm having a little trouble with the sensitivity of the vibration sensor right now though.  I have it on the lowest setting and can walk around in the trailer without tripping it.  I really liked that feature specifically in case someone breaks into it on site and decides to unload it on site or in my driveway.  But it doesn't seem sensitive enough.  Moving the trailer with a vehicle, however, did set it off.  Even when I just rolled the trailer back about 4' in my driveway yesterday.  Perhaps I need to mount it in a different spot.  I'm still experimenting with that.  If I can't find a place where I'm confident that walking around in the trailer will set it off, then I'm going to purchase the accessory motion detector and mount that on the wall and see what that gets me.

            It also comes with a door sensor standard.  In a trailer, my trailer anyway, you need to mount the actual Dewalt unit within 3/8" of the door sensor... one unit on the door and the other unit on the jamb or wall.  I couldn't find a spot on either my barn doors or my side door that satisfied these requirments.  That was a bit of a disappointment as well.

            I also think it is generally over priced given the technology involved.  GPS isn't exactly cutting edge any more.  I've got GPS units for the truck, a TOPO unit for backpacking, a SPOT emergency locator beacon for backpacking, even GPS systems on one of my telescopes.  All cost less than this Dewalt unit.  And you also need to subscribe to the monitering service with the Dewalt... and pay extra for tracking capabilites and locates.  I think part of that money goes to the cellular service that the unit uses to communicate though.  Now... all that being said... my recent trailer theft has taught me a valuable lesson in economics.  Within reason, it will ALWAYS be cheaper to prevent a break in than it would be to try to recover from one.  Even if the insurance company does their part.  The aggravation, lost time at work, paperwork involved, etc... all have a price.  And my experience is/was that that price is far more than the cost of some more security.  In this same line of thinking, we're also having a whole house alarm system installed in our home tomorrow.

            Those are my thoughts for now.  I'd be happy to post more as I learn more about this system.  What other systems are you considering? 

             

            View Image

            Edited 3/1/2009 6:08 pm ET by dieselpig

          39. lettusbee | Mar 02, 2009 02:54am | #361

            Wow, That's the kind of info I was looking for.  Thanks

            I honestly hadn't looked at any other GPS units, just the alarm types that the local car stereo people sell.  You mentioned lojack earlier in your thread, and I was going to look into that as well. 

            But I know that the Dewalt is in stock at my local white cap, so I had pretty much settled on that, until I read your whole thread a couple of days ago. 

            I've been putting it off for months now, cause every time I have an extra $500 to spend on my company, I can think of more exciting things to buy.   Kinda like ladder racks, I desperately need one for mhy pu, cause the trailer is full of ladders.  But when I have the scratch for a ladder rack, there's always something more enticing on craigslist, or the clearance section at the Hm Dep. 

            I'm one of those sorry souls who got into this business just so I could justify buying nice tools. 

            Wait... get back on topic..

            As far as the Dewalt, reading their literature, it seems perfect.  But I was hoping for real world feed back.  I rarely leave my trailer at a jobsite overnite.  But last December I left it a house for 4weeks, cause it was a difficult parking situation, and it was a long intense job that didn't allow time for packing and unpacking ea day.  I left my tools set up in the house for the duration of the job.  Something else I usually don't do. 

            Every year here, it seems the cops bust another theft ring that specializes in snatching trailers from jobsites.  I feel like it could happen to me anytime. 

             

            Thanks again for the thorough feedback, and  please do post anytime something relevant comes up about the dewalt system.

            David F

          40. MikeSmith | Mar 02, 2009 03:50am | #362

            brian....

            i'm looking into it also...

            how far into the Lojack system did you get ?

             

            here's a construction article i found by google,,,

            <<<<

            For this landmark recovery, the vehicle was actually tracked down in a mere 15 minutes via the Essex County Police use of the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System. Once the police report was filed and the LoJack system was activated, the officers quickly tracked the radio frequency signal to a location in Newark. Upon obtaining a search warrant to enter property, the officers found several pieces of stolen construction equipment, including the 2002 Ingersoll-Rand Loader and Flatbed Trailer, a 1999 John Deere Backhoe & Flatbed Trailer, a 2001 Komatsu Excavator & Flatbed Trailer and an Ingersoll-Rand Compressor. The three other units, which were not equipped with LoJack, were stolen from three separate locations. Police estimate the cost of the stolen equipment at $500,000 and stated that if the loader had not been equipped with the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System, the other units never would have been found.

            “We’re pleased to reach this milestone and are proud of our ability to provide law enforcement with highly effective systems and processes that help combat the growing problem of construction equipment theft, which costs construction companies $1 billion each year,” said Joseph F. Abely, LoJack’s CEO. “LoJack’s direct integration with law enforcement and our system’s highly covert nature make it the most robust solution available and has enabled us to deliver a better than 90 percent success rate for nearly two decades.”

            LoJack is the only stolen vehicle recovery system to be directly integrated with law enforcement. The company’s Police Tracking Computers are installed in police vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The LoJack system includes a small wireless radio-frequency transceiver that is randomly hidden in the equipment. Once the equipment is reported stolen to the police, the vehicle identification number is matched to the LoJack system by state law enforcement computers. After the match, the LoJack system is activated by police, emitting silent radio signals from a small radio transceiver. Law enforcement vehicles and aircraft equipped with LoJack have translated over the years into $1.5 billion in recovered assets in the United States.

             Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          41. MikeSmith | Mar 02, 2009 03:57am | #363

            the closest dealer i could find for construction equip Lojack is the Bobcat Dealer in North reading , MA

            Bobcat of Boston, Inc. 20 Concord Street North Reading, MA 01864 <!----><!----><!----> <!----><!---->  <!----> <!----><!---->       <!----> <!----> <!----><!----><!----> <!----><!----><!---->(978) 664-3727<!----><!----><!---->      <!----> <!----><!----><!---->

             73.6 miles  from meMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          42. Piffin | Mar 02, 2009 04:10am | #365

            Is that a far piece for someone from RI?;) 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          43. MikeSmith | Mar 02, 2009 04:22am | #366

            overnight bag for sureMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          44. alias | Mar 02, 2009 04:25am | #368

            98 miles give or take a few

          45. fingersandtoes | Mar 02, 2009 04:02am | #364

            I was talking to a friend of mine who owns a local security business who installs gps transmitters in cars and trailers. The weakness he sees in the LoJack system is that it has to be activated by the police once the vehicle has been reported stolen. His system activates itself as soon as the vehicle begins to move without the code being used.

            I'm just thinking how little interest the cops showed in Diesel's case, and wondering how long it was before his trailer was stripped. A system that relies on law enforcement might or might not be the way to go.

          46. MikeSmith | Mar 02, 2009 04:24am | #367

            sounds like  an initial alarm w/ Lojack backup would be ideal.... except for cost & maintenance feesMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          47. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 02, 2009 04:42am | #369

            I didn't get far with Lojack at all, but I'm still pursuing it.  I'd like to get it for the forklift and would probably do the trailer as well... even with the Dewalt deal.  Like I said, the cost of this stuff is really small potatoes in the big picture.  I went to the Lojack site, filled out their questionaire, and someone was supposed to contact me.  No one has contacted me yet (it's been a week) so I should probably get back on the case on that one.

            I'm wondering if Lojack needs power from a vehicle battery though?  No problem for the forklift, but an obvious problem for the trailer. 

            That Bobcat of Boston in Reading is the same "local" dealer for me too.   I bought a set of shoes for a skidsteer there a couple years ago.  Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what shakes out.  I'll let you know what I hear if you don't beat me to it yourself.View Image

          48. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 02, 2009 04:44am | #370

            use the electric emergency brake battery... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          49. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 02, 2009 04:52am | #371

            I don't even keep that thing charged for it's intended purpose... let alone depend on it.  I need easy... otherwise I'd build a sling and put my trailer 20' in the air every night like was suggested earlier.  Seriously though... I know me.   And if it involves a song and a dance every night... I'll just pull the darn thing home and sleep in it with my sawed off shotgun.  (Which coincidentally crossed my mind more than once in the week following the theft).View Image

          50. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 02, 2009 04:57am | #372

            the battery is suppose to charge up thru the slave hook up...

            I would concetrate bagging one or more of the crooks and question them extenively... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          51. Scrapr | Mar 02, 2009 05:55am | #373

            DP

             

               You might look at  GPS devices for semi trailers. I have some literature at the office. They have the same problem (trucking companies). Drivers don't/can't/won't put a lock on the pin.

              I don't know how the power thing works. But the trailers have no power...so....

            I'd be much more comfortable with a system in my control, than one that only the police can activate.

             

          52. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 02, 2009 12:37pm | #376

            how about a one time installation of a solar battery charger and a deep cycle marine battery...

            http://store.sundancesolar.com/trchforcatrr.html

            mount the solar panel to the roof of the trailer...

            and then you could have an alarm and LoJack... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          53. MisterT | Mar 02, 2009 02:35pm | #378

            or maybe a small generator that runs when the trailer is towed.when YOU pull the trailer it is disabled by a chip in your key.if you aren't the one pulling it, it will power up the lojack .
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          54. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 02, 2009 02:58pm | #379

            something containing a detanator comes to mind... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          55. User avater
            basswood | Mar 02, 2009 04:14pm | #380

            Hook a standard motion sensor up to an array of fireworks cannons... shreek--BOOM, shreek--BOOM, shreek--BOOM. Scare the pee right out of the intruder and draw lots of attention to them. <G>

          56. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 02, 2009 05:06pm | #381

            automatic fish net...

            mushrooms out and when you get back to the trailer there they are...

            pike a couple of them and let the message get out... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          57. MisterT | Mar 03, 2009 01:09am | #382

            Napalm???!!!.
            .
            "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
            .
            .
            .
            If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
            .
            .
            .
            according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

          58. User avater
            IMERC | Mar 03, 2009 03:20am | #386

            for the left overs what little there may be.... 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

             

            "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

          59. JohnT8 | Mar 04, 2009 01:19am | #401

            something containing a detanator comes to mind...

            Better off with some kind of knock out gas.   That way you don't damage your stuff but can still have fun with the crooks.

             jt8

            lotsa worse things happen to better people than me every day. --Snort

          60. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 04, 2009 01:22am | #402

            See... now that's using your head.  I like how you think John.View Image

          61. JasonQ | Mar 02, 2009 10:50am | #375

            Might I suggest a parking boot or two plus maybe a locator system?  Check this out:

            http://www.universalboot.com/ub/en/wheel-immobilizer.php

            That'd keep 'em from driving off with it anyway.  How to lock a trailer up such that it can't be broken into is another matter.  With the frequency of tool thefts, it boggles my mind that no one's thought to design a better way to secure trailer contents.  The only thing I can think of

            I'm so paraonid, I'd build a trailer with a 1/4" sheet steel exterior with heavy-duty laminated locks and those pins that go in the top and bottom jambs.  Of course, I'd never be able to actually tow it, but at least my stuff would be secure.  : )

            Jason

          62. [email protected] | Mar 06, 2009 05:17am | #415

            If you got a monitored system I hope you got the fire and smoke alarm options installed. 

            The break on the house insurance for having them usually covers the extra cost. 

          63. lettusbee | Mar 11, 2009 04:09am | #417

            Hello,

            Just talked to both Whitecap, and Toolzone here in Colorado, and they have both told me that Dewalt is no longer selling the Mobilelock system.  The reason they cited is that the cell service has been discontinued. 

            They tell me that a company called Tattletale has purchased the system from Dewalt.  I will call Tattletale tomorrow, but was wondering if you heard anything about this, since you just bought the Dewalt System.  Thanks

          64. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 11, 2009 04:50am | #418

            Didn't hear anything about that.  Are you sure it's the Mobilelock and not the Sitelock?  I know the Sitelock system was discontinued by Dewalt fairly recently, but the Mobilelock still seems to be alive and well.  At least mine is anyway.

            http://www.dewalt.com/mobilelockView Image

          65. lettusbee | Mar 11, 2009 04:57am | #419

            I know that I was asking for the mobilelock system.  Wether or not the salespeople I talked to at Whitecap or Toozoned undestand the difference, is up for debate.

             

            I'll try a different white cap tomorrow. 

            Thanks

          66. Squash | Feb 24, 2009 12:12am | #331

            Brian,

            I just saw this thread for the first time today... I had no idea.  And here I was thinking "oh hey great DP's back" when I first linked into it.

            Anyways, for what it's worth I'm going to bring my local shop - Fitchburg/Leominster -a list of your stuff as well as your number.  Every now and then they'll have guys stop in with "used" stuff to unload. 

            I feel your pain though, I've been hit once before and I definitely understand the feelings of rage both towards the scumbags who did it and the cops... useless in cases like this.  Hey, it could be worse.  I worked a double shooting this weekend and the cops were less than interested in finding the shooter... shame.

            Anyways, good to see you getting back on your feet and keeping on with it.  Also good to see you back around these parts.

            JLC Live in a few weeks? 

            Nick

          67. MikeSmith | Feb 24, 2009 12:27am | #332

            hey, Nick....  definitely....  eric  is  buyingMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          68. Squash | Feb 24, 2009 06:00am | #333

            Hey Mike,

            I'll be there, although I may or may not be tagging along for lunch this year.  I'm planning on bringing my girlfriend with me this time around.  She's been helping me out a lot lately and actually wants to go to learn a thing or two.  In any case, I'll know better when things draw near.

            The dormer job looks great by the way.

            Nick

          69. MikeSmith | Feb 24, 2009 06:19am | #334

            ok, nick....but don't forget, they allow girlfriends at Angelo's tooMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

  51. dejure | Mar 01, 2009 12:29pm | #341

    Remember, if you say the tools were worth twenty thousand, but the insurance company claims they were only worth a fraction and sends you a check for their claimed amount, if you negotiate the check, you have agreed to their assessment. Run "bad faith," on a law search site (e.g., West Law, Lexus Nexus, or Versus Law). A significant portion of the hits, if not the majority, will be insurance companies.

    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Mar 01, 2009 07:00pm | #345

      I don't follow, to be honest.View Image

      1. dejure | Mar 01, 2009 11:57pm | #354

        I probably could have been clearer. Basically, it's about offers and acceptance in the world of contract law. In this case, the insurance company offers you an amount less than the value of the tools, or their replacement cost and sends you a check for that amount. If you deposit, or otherwise cash the check, you have accepted their offer and going back for the balance becomes an even bigger nightmare.Those who make their living in law subscribe to services like Westlaw and such, which are very expensive searchable data bases (except for VersusLaw, which runs around twenty-five a month (for as many months as you want), but is not nearly as powerful). You can search laws and court rulings (case law) by case name, topic and so forth.Bad faith is a term frequently used in law. For example, an attorney must look into his client's case before pursuing an action on his behalf. If he is noticed of facts that show the action he is about to pursue if frivolous, his action can be considered in bad faith. The result could be he not only loses the case, he could be compelled to pay the other sides fees and costs and he could be hit with sanctions, including disbarment, or financial penalties. In [the state of] Washington, one can look to CR 11 of the Supreme Court Rules (available on the net).The point is, bad faith show in data base searches and most hit out of searches for that phrase will produce the names of Insurance Companies. Generally, they will be ones you recognize.On CR 11, sanctions, I've won cases by focusing on the other side's attorney (CR 11 sanctions scare the hell out of them) and, in the end, they threw their client's case away to avoid getting bit by their own games.

        1. Piffin | Mar 02, 2009 12:02am | #355

          Well, I've been working at listing my tools inventory this weekend. I'd guessed 20-25KWrong - over 35K and counting still. 

           

          Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          1. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 02, 2009 12:32am | #357

            It's crazy, right?  How these things add up over time.  You just keep buying stuff and throwing it into the mix without ever realizing how much is piling up.  When I went through my digital pics of tools (about 3-4 years old) I was astonished to see how much of my inventory had been turned over or replaced.  

               On the morning the trailer was stolen, I ballparked the value of the contents at $20K to the responding officer.  I'm now $29,500K deep into receipts... and I didn't even bother with "the little stuff" like small hand tools such as planes and chisels, individual router bits, 5lb boxes of nails and screws... many of them stainless, boxes of misc. hardware, a box with probably $500 worth of spare parts for tools, engines, compressors, etc., subfloor adhesive, open cases of gun nails, tubes of silicone, sanding belts and disks, etc.  That stuff all probably comes to another $5K easily.View Image

          2. Piffin | Mar 02, 2009 12:38am | #358

            Absolutely. Have not even started to list the hand tools.And I'm not gonna inventory small batches of screws and nails. That comes subject to an inventory tax here. It's all "salvage leftovers" anyway 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        2. User avater
          dieselpig | Mar 02, 2009 12:26am | #356

          Thank you... that was quite informative.  I'm not necessarily hungry for liquid right now, so if they throw me a morsel instead of a bone, I won't cash the check.  I really hope I don't have to get a lawyer involved in this.  Maybe I'm naive, but I'm really hoping that they do the right thing here.  The documentation I've sent them should make it pretty clear that my loss is much greater than my claim (because I'm underinsured) and also it should be obvious that I'm not trying to soak them. 

           For example, on one receipt in particular, there's about $3000 worth of aluminum staging listed.  But only about 1/2 of the items on the receipt have claims put in for them... because the other 1/2 were in my basement at the time.  On another receipt I bought two coil nailers at the same time... but only claimed one as the other was on my truck at the time of the theft.  So I hope that the human element will come into play and they'll realize that I've passed on opportunities to easily inflate my claims and try to soak them.

          I've also sent them receipts for items I've already replaced... hoping they'll see that I'm not trying to turn this into an easy going out of business sale for myself.

          I dunno though.  I really don't know much about these things.  Quite the learning experience.View Image

  52. User avater
    dieselpig | Mar 03, 2009 01:09am | #383

    As part of my re-outfitting of the trailer I've done several things to better my chances of not having to go through this horror show again.  The first and obvious thing is the Dewalt Mobilelock system I discussed a few posts ago.  In addition to that, I went back to a practice I used to do but had let slip, carefully documenting each and every tool in the trailer with digital pics, copies of receipts, and a record of the serial numbers.  In addition to that I made up an stencil and tagged all the larger items with spray paint... ladders, compressors, table saw, staging, gas cans, tool cases... pretty much everything I could fit the stencil on. 

    I also ordered a smaller stencil for smaller items.  In addition to this, I ran with Grant's great idea of having stickers made up.  I believe he had bumper stickers made up for his larger items.  I went with a smaller sticker that I could put on everything from drills and batteries, to the inside housings of power tools.  The stickers I ordered are 1"x2" and are rated for industrial year round outside use.  They use a 3M high strength adhesive and if you do peel them off, they come apart in those aggravating little pieces.  I'll attach the proof they sent me with the two options.  I chose option "A".

    Again, I realize that nothing is foolproof.  If someone really wants to spend the time, they may cut the locks on the trailer.  And they may get around the Dewalt system.  And they may take the time to peel off those tiny stickers and scrub the spray paint off the tools.  But I will have at least made them work for it and know that I did my best to keep the honest folks honest.  I'm still looking into Lojack as well.  Never got around to that today now that I think of it.  I'm going to put these new stickers in both obvious places as well as not so obvious places.  Perhaps they'd take the time to peel the obvious sticker off and not ever look for the second one... tucked inside the housing of a saw or unside the cover of a nailer or something.

    View Image



    Edited 3/3/2009 2:23 pm ET by dieselpig

    1. rez | Mar 03, 2009 01:42am | #384

      Perhaps they'd take the time to peel the obvious sticker off and not ever look for the second one... tucked inside the housing of a saw or inside the cover of a nailer or something.

      NOW we're cookin' with Crisco!

      1. Piffin | Mar 03, 2009 01:55am | #385

        I do a lot of the same.
        For instance my laptop has a couple stickers on the outside, then one on the battery, one on the inside of battery cover and one under the battery where you'd have to pull the bat out to see that it is there.On the SCMS, there are a couple, and the saw is mounted to a stand. There are a couple on the stand, one up in under, and one where you can't see it unless you unbolt the saw from stand.I also use a scripto whenever I buy a new tool to put my initials and the date of purchase and where I bought it from someplace on the tool or the case.. This later is to help me have instant recall where I bought it if I need to send it in for warrantee service. No need to dig around piles of papre to see if I have to pay for the repair or not 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. dejure | Mar 05, 2009 08:47am | #410

          I keep a few engravers floating about, since they're pretty cheap and will engrave metal or plastic. Instead of license numbers, SSN's or anything else, I came up with a business logo, which is easy to do, but which stands out from any others. I put them in a few places on valuable items and this might be enough to drop in a cop's lap, or even a pawn shop or two.That which I least want to do is oft that which I most should do. And I can't afford cheap.

          1. DavidxDoud | Mar 05, 2009 05:21pm | #411

            so, if I saw your logo, I would know who/where to contact about the tool? "there's enough for everyone"

          2. dejure | Mar 05, 2009 08:56pm | #412

            Probably not, unless I gave a copy to the police, pawn shops and so forth. It's easy to recognize and if I did as noted above, it would be. It's not fool proof, but if I got hit, there would be enough tools floating around for something to show up somewhere and start a lead.One of the things I've told people over the years is, when you're dealing in certain matters (e.g., law), you can win. You just have to remember, you're the attorney, the secretary, the paralegal, the private investigator...... In many cases, the "pro's" aren't going to tend the matter as well as you would. That means you have to get busy. You have to get your imagination working. That may mean offering rewards, posting fliers, hitting "legitimate fencing operations" (i.e., pawn shops) and so forth.That which I least want to do is oft that which I most should do. And I can't afford cheap.

          3. Catspaw | Mar 06, 2009 12:49am | #413

            My neighbor had some tools stolen from his house. The theives only stole tools that did not have his name written on them.

            - Rich

          4. User avater
            jonblakemore | Mar 06, 2009 04:17am | #414

            Was his name "Ryobi"? 

            Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

          5. fingersandtoes | Mar 09, 2009 08:06am | #416

            Funny guy. Now I have juice up my nose. Thanks.

    2. gzajac | Mar 03, 2009 04:22am | #387

      DieselI love the stickers, and have used the same type and they have lasted over twenty years. I have also had good luck engraving company name and license number on my tools. Some of my air guns have been returned after being stolen five years earlier, so there is always hope. best regardsGreg in snowed in connecticut

    3. davidmeiland | Mar 03, 2009 04:31am | #388

      http://nh.craigslist.org/for/1043008674.html

    4. Scott | Mar 03, 2009 05:01am | #389

      >>>As part of my re-outfitting of the trailer I've done several things to better my chances of having to go through this horror show again.I assume you mean NOT having to go through....I'm glad, because certain thieves, having a taste of something, like to return for a second helping. Lord help them if they do.....Give 'er DP.Scott.

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | Mar 03, 2009 05:35am | #390

        Good catch... lol... yes I'm trying to avoid doing this dance again.View Image

        1. dovetail97128 | Mar 03, 2009 06:23am | #391

          I have mentioned this before here at BT. I have a friend who rigged up an endess loop tape player , battery , and 1 loudspeaker cut into the top of the front wall of the box over the cab in his box van. Switch was rigged to his alarm system. Trigger the switch and the tape played.
          Loudspeaker blared " This truck has been stolen , please call 911"
          endlessly until it was shut off.
          Put the assembly in a welded box with a heavy duty key lock that he hid as best he could in his truck making it hard to spot and shut off. At least he made his rig an attention getter if they were gonna steal it.
          They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

        2. BUIC | Mar 04, 2009 03:48am | #403

             This may have already occurred to you.

             If the same thieves see your trailer again, they'll likely realize that it's full of NEW tools.

             About 5 years ago, company I worked for had 2 gang boxes stolen off the job.  Three weeks later, they were hit again. Got all the new stuff. Boxes, tools, everything.

             I know you've added protection, but you'll want to be extra careful for awhile.

            buic, knocking wood so as not to put the jinx on....

          1. AitchKay | Mar 04, 2009 06:36am | #406

            That's a spin-off of the old trick of how to get a brand new battery: steal one from an old car without a hood lock (or one with the cable easily accessible from underneath).Two days later, re-visit the same car -- it's now got a brand new battery in it.AitchKay

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