AC Unit Cage

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Customer wanted a cage to protect their brand new residential AC unit from being torn into and having the copper taken out of it. Of course, If someone really wanted to get into the unit they will, but now it will take much longer and make a whole lot more noise. Plus at least two people to pull it off. Was a pretty big residential unit as far as i am concerned, Not too large of a house maybe 1500 sf at the very most. Unit is approximately 3 1/2 tall, 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Materials I used are 1" square tubing with an 11 gauge wall, and some 1/2" 16 ga expanded metal. I needed to design the cage so that it could still be serviced if needed, and Since there was a fence not too far away from the front of the unit, I made the front part of the cage slide up and off of the unit. It slides down into some tabs and then locks with a heavy duty stainless outdoor masterlock.Mounting tabs welded on the inside of the cage, bolted down onto the concrete pad.Here are some pics-(excuse the dirty garage, been really needing to organize it but a lot of the stuff is waiting to be setup in he back of my truck)Heres some of the vertical down welds for the front part, had to put these on the front to weld the expanded metal to since it couldnt go on the back of the tubing like the other sides since it slides up and down.Thanks for looking y'all!!!
Reply:That looks good, but I have to ask, how did you get the bolts in there?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:nice work and all, but oursystem is backwards.   Its not the airconditioner that needs to be in the cage, its those who are a threat to the air conditioner that need to be in the cage.
Reply:Great looking cage.   Hope it does the trick.  The thugs cut the looks off our gates again this late week but got scared off from our farm shop.  Trailed them 600 feet from the paved road up to the shop.  At least they didn't tear the door down again and set the alarm off.   Your cage should slow them down some.  Its a shame you cant have it charged with High voltage with enough power to leave them stuck to it when they try to tear it up..
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThat looks good, but I have to ask, how did you get the bolts in there?
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weldnice work and all, but oursystem is backwards.   Its not the airconditioner that needs to be in the cage, its those who are a threat to the air conditioner that need to be in the cage.
Reply:Honestly, a hacksaw and about 60 seconds an I'd be in that with very little noise. That tab around the lock isn't protected at all. 2 quick cuts and the lock would just drop out. I could probably even just do one cut at the top, and then bend the cut tab out forcing the lock with a crowbar freeing the lock.I'm not faulting your work, but there's a reason why they make those little round lock protectors for those locks..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHonestly, a hacksaw and about 60 seconds an I'd be in that with very little noise. That tab around the lock isn't protected at all. 2 quick cuts and the lock would just drop out. I could probably even just do one cut at the top, and then bend the cut tab out forcing the lock with a crowbar freeing the lock.I'm not faulting your work, but there's a reason why they make those little round lock protectors for those locks.
Reply:copper thieves
Reply:Right, it doesn't have to make stealing this unit impossible, it just has to make stealing that unit across the street look easier.You didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:That looks good.
Reply:Originally Posted by anickodeRight, it doesn't have to make stealing this unit impossible, it just has to make stealing that unit across the street look easier.
Reply:Side track hereDid you use that makita chop saw (wood saw) to cut  the tubing? If yes what kind of blade, abrasive or toothed?We all know locks are used to keep out the honest people and slow down thievesand yes nice cageErich
Reply:I was just thinking about making one for my unit, yours looks nice. I would probably just bolt it down to the slab with thick screws (hex or square) on anchors,  it should
Reply:It should have at least 2 per side and a dome head to prevent grabbing with channel locks. Ha! and of course point one of the security cameras on it
Reply:Good work, but that customer may be calling you in the future to remove if if the sealed system ever needs servicing, that corner panel on the left side has to come off to access the fittings & the top has to be removed to access the condenser fan motor.Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.
Reply:Originally Posted by EloewenSide track hereDid you use that makita chop saw (wood saw) to cut  the tubing? If yes what kind of blade, abrasive or toothed?We all know locks are used to keep out the honest people and slow down thievesand yes nice cageErich