how would you defend against a cutting torch?

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I owned a small laundromat up until about 2 months ago. Unfortunately for the new owner, about a month after purchasing it someone cut into both change machines using an oxy-acetelyne torch, stealing probably 3 or 4k worth of cash, as well as destroying both change machines. Anyone have any thoughts on how you'd build a cabinet to defend against this? I know, install security cameras, lock the doors each night, etc..... but I was just looking for thoughts as to cut-resistant cabinets.All the work from this thread: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=19054 now totally trashed. Just glad it isn't me dealing with these issues anymore !- John
Reply:Most feasible would be to cover it in a thicker stainless.  Can't torch cut it that way.  Well, you can, but it'd take him a hell of a long time to do it.
Reply:Oxy-acet resistant?Make it out of stainless.  Stainless doesn't cut with oxy-acet, but it will still melt.Thick, really thick, stainless.  So that even if they -try- to melt it, their tank will go empty or they can't get enough flow through the torch tip with their portable tanks.  And someone trying to haul a 300 ft3 oxygen cylinder and the 'matching' acetylene cylinder around would be kind of obvious and not very mobile.Escalating the defensive level would be to go to a multi-layer bank-vault type of construction.  Thick steel layer and a ceramic/concrete layer and then more thick steel and more layers.  And of course make it out of stainless to thwart an oxy-acetylene cutting attempt.  And apparently also add some (thick) copper layer(s) in there as well, because the copper conducts heat away quickly and even if/when it does melt it supposedly quickly resolidifies and plugs the hole.That and cameras and alarms to cut down on the scum's working time before the police hopefully arrive or to help ID the scum after the fact.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Serious safes have all sorts of agregate and carbide chunks between layers of steel.  It will slow down torch attempts or cutting tool attempts.  Given a couple of hours to work, any safe can be cut open. Rene
Reply:Originally Posted by zerepener...Given a couple of hours to work, any safe can be cut open.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepI don't know...But whatever you decide, just be very careful to never store any combustibles or explosives in or near any closed container that could see torch work. Although the "hiss" of escaping gas, or smell of odorant should give fair enough warning to any torch-man, you just never know.
Reply:Originally Posted by J HallGood advice! One certainly would not want to put a can of staring fluid or something in there for sure!
Reply:You just need to mount one of these hanging from the ceiling that is trigered by a heat sensor?Here is what I have so Far:Miller:Shop Master 300 A A/C D/CS 22a Wire FeederRFC-14 Tig PedalHF-251D High Freq. UnitProfax 250 A Mig GunVictor RegulatorsHarris:63-2 torch Cutting Attachment 49-3making home built tig cooler
Reply:2 thoughts: #1.Halon system directly over the cash machines. Light a torch, get gassed. #2. 1/4" thick titanium. You heat it with a torch, and it just laughs at you. Everything else I thought of will get you tossed in jail, so this is what I got!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for all the thoughts.Fortunately this is not my problem to solve since I don't own the place anymore !- John
Reply:Ah, but SS can be cut with a torch.  Simply by using a "Waster Plate".  Nothing more than a piece of mild steel plate, placed on top of the SS, when you OA cut the ms plate it mixes with the SS and cuts rather easily.  Hench, the name "waster plate".  P.S.  It ain't pretty, but effective.
Reply:WELL!! Thats one way to shoot fish in a barrel.Those two sure pull off some crazy stuff in their videos.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorAh, but SS can be cut with a torch.  Simply by using a "Waster Plate".  Nothing more than a piece of mild steel plate, placed on top of the SS, when you OA cut the ms plate it mixes with the SS and cuts rather easily.  Hench, the name "waster plate".  P.S.  It ain't pretty, but effective.
Reply:Yeah, starter fluid!!! You do understand boobietraps are illegal.Now back to our regularly scheduled reality.The simplest, easiest, most effective way to prevent theft is a hard wired smoke detector directly above the change machines with an indoor and  outdoor horn wired into the phone line. Any cutting or even grinding will trip the alarm, the FD is required to deploy after they get the signal, unlike the PD when they get a burglar alarm signal.The indoor horn makes it uncomfortable to continue the theft, the outdoor horn alerts the neighborhood if the thief should defeat the inner one. The FD showing up will put a damper on the activities.
Reply:Somewhere I saw hard facing rod that couldnot be torch cut, but if you put a box around it how would you lock it most locks are easily defeated