Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Subwoofer theft!

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Film Handlers' Forum » Subwoofer theft! (Page 2)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2

Author

Topic: Subwoofer theft!

Stefan Scholz
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 223
From: Schoenberg, Germany
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-23-2000 12:51 PM

Truly liked the electrocution idea, but honestly, when working in the slot - machine service, we had alarms to keep off intruders. One time an intruder got a heart attack, and the company lost a lawsuit afterwards. I was illegal to shreak out the bad guy, so I think it will be totally illegal to use leathal electricity.
The best way would be a set of tamperproof screws to replace the cone's mounting screws. There are lots of types around, to replace your standard flat head screws. I tended to use Safety Torx screws on my setups, but as with any measure like this, do not tell anybody, as they might then bring the corresponding tools. Tri-Wing is pretty cool, as it will be very hard to remove without owning a cooresponding driver.
If the cabinet is also bolted, it will be quite a job for an unprepared thief.

| IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-23-2000 05:15 PM

This used to happen allot in Chicago. Everything from Surround Speakers to Complete Amp Racks to Woofers. Never a horn or HF driver. It was always an inside job, and in all but one the thieves(ushers) were caught.
They always ended up making them into subwoofers for their cars and someone from the theater would always turn them in. Thats why they never took the horn or driver. Can't be used in a car.
Use theft proof screws on everything from woofers to amp racks. They work good. Even replacing screws with Allen type screws will slow things down so much that they will finally stop disappearing. The sheet of plywood idea is a good one too if things get desperate.
A measure that will work good is to install a see in the dark TV camera and time lapse recorder in behind the screen and tape them stealing stuff. A customer in Wisconsin used that method years several years ago and caught an HVAC guy taking stuff from the booth. They went to his home and discovered a huge theft ring going on!! Hope this doesn't happen to any of you.
Finally, Check behind your screens every night before lockup. Carry a can of Pepper Spray with you though in case you surprise someone.
Mark

| IP: Logged

Erika Hellgren
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 168
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-23-2000 05:59 PM

Wow, how nostaglic. This was my first post ever on the forum! *sigh*

Anyway, we seem to have solved the problem. Surprisingly enough, the company actually bought more subs to replace the stolen ones, and one of our techs went around and bolted all the subs to each other and to the ground (I think). He also rounded out the screws on the front of the woofers thewselves, and put grills on the front to prevent vandalizing. Many attempts to steal them were made after this endeavor, but only one managed to get stolen. I guess the theives found a way to pry that one out, but cannot get any others. My guess is that they have now given up entirely on our threatre and moved on to another one.

| IP: Logged

Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene

Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-26-2000 08:41 PM

Erika, I think they moved to the one I was tearing down. In fact, we were raided and robbed just this last friday. Freakin low life jackbooted thugs!

Dave

------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.