[hiwall]

When I was living in the frozen northland (Minnesota), in the winter when the master locks were frozen we would either use a small propane torch or if in a hurry(most of the time) we used a bolt cutter. I've cut open many padlocks(several brands).

[downsouth]

We have to cut locks in my job. I haven't seen a padlock that could standup to a quality pair of cutters. Cable locks take a lot longer, but a good hack saw will get thru them pretty readily.

[orangello]

Of course, bolt cutters, while a fine bludgeoning weapon and torture device/hangnail remover, are dang heavy in comparison to a lil lock picking kit.
Good luck getting a drunk to cut a live powerline with a lock picking kit, though.

[Ploofy]

Originally Posted by hiwall

When I was living in the frozen northland (Minnesota), in the winter when the master locks were frozen we would either use a small propane torch or if in a hurry(most of the time) we used a bolt cutter. I've cut open many padlocks(several brands).

Yeah. I used to live up there, too. Grew up eating Ludifisk. I'm just going off of my experiences of trying to get through the hardened steel with a good pair of bolt cutters. It got through after a bit of work, but not easily. Normal drill bits only did a little damage to it, stopping after about 1/8th of an inch in through the front, little to no progress through the back. And there exist bullet proof locks, and locks designed specifically to resist things like that. I just thought you guys would like the info. I guess not.

[cfraga1978]

Originally Posted by Ploofy

Yeah. I used to live up there, too. Grew up eating Ludifisk. I'm just going off of my experiences of trying to get through the hardened steel with a good pair of bolt cutters. It got through after a bit of work, but not easily. Normal drill bits only did a little damage to it, stopping after about 1/8th of an inch in through the front, little to no progress through the back. And there exist bullet proof locks, and locks designed specifically to resist things like that. I just thought you guys would like the info. I guess not.

It all depends on the length of the handles on your bolt cutters. If you are using 12" bolt cutters you will have a hell of a time cutting a padlock. Now 3'-4' bolt cutters will cut just about any lock there is without much effort.

[Ploofy]

Originally Posted by cfraga1978

It all depends on the length of the handles on your bolt cutters. If you are using 12" bolt cutters you will have a hell of a time cutting a padlock. Now 3'-4' bolt cutters will cut just about any lock there is without much effort.

I'd say it was a good 2' at least. Each time it took a chunk out, but I couldn't quite force it all the way through until after it got stopped by the metal 4 times. I'm only 150 lbs, though, so I couldn't throw a lot of weight into it. (was using a surface to hold one of the handles)

[cfraga1978]

Originally Posted by Ploofy

I'd say it was a good 2' at least. Each time it took a chunk out, but I couldn't quite force it all the way through until after it got stopped by the metal 4 times. I'm only 150 lbs, though, so I couldn't throw a lot of weight into it. (was using a surface to hold one of the handles)

Yeah the longer the handles the more leverage you get. 2' is just not enough for the thicker padlocks.
"Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough and I can move the world" Archimedes