Bicycle Lock Vs Angle Grinder

SAWZALL is more versatile and that is what I carry

I carried a 4' tall bolt cutter for years... a firefighter's master Key!

Shadow Catcher wrote:
Anything you can get a bolt cutter on is toast.

Almost.
I saw a Youtube video, expensive bolt cutters with replaceable jaws, don't remember 3ft or 4ft, cost over 300 EU. Very expensive safety chain for a bike. He tried, and couldn't. Dented the jaws. After I've added up the total cost, I didn't bother to bookmark it. Such a chain costs upwards of $80 PER FOOT, a 3ft length will cost more than a pair of batteries, and it deserves a fairly decent lock around $100 - shrouded so that they couldn't get the bolt cutter on it.

Such sturdy chains do exist, and cost a fortune. I think senor Mex bragged recently :) about a piece of chain or cable that he salvaged from some aerospace or military place.

OTH, the problem with padlocks is that they can be picked, even the best ones.

brulaz wrote:
We're boondocking, and after having lost a battery to thieves I'm keeping everything locked up.

But now the bicycles' U-lock jams. It's a cheap barrel key with a pin that broke off inside. The bikes are locked together and to a steel picnic table in the middle of Ocala NF.

Turns out there are reasonable quality 6.2A angle grinders available for US$40 (Hitachi at Lowes). Fitted with a metal cutoff disc, and running off my 1000W PSW inverter, that lock was cut off in no time.

Of course thieves can do the same thing ...

Anyway, I'm permanently adding that tool to my RV tool box. You never know when you might need to cut or grind some metal.:B

I believe you can get cordless one also!!

If you have a battery drill, just get a cut off wheel and arbor. Probably less than $5. It will take a bit longer but no need to buy another tool.

I lock our bikes and honda EU200i with cable and heavy locks I also put alarm locks on both if cut or tampered with the siren goes off. Had to get up a couple of times in the night when some one tried to get the bikes. It is just extra peace of mind

I wonder if this lock would make a difference?

Every time I hear a discussion like this, I want to add this so every one is aware. A small (easily hand carried) oxygen/acetylene cutting torch, trumps everything. I have been using oxy/acct. for cutting steel in automotive/truck service, for years. There is no comparison for speed and ease. My only hope is that reminding all of you about this, does not give any one ideas about using one for theft.

Sprink-Fitter wrote:
I wonder if this lock would make a difference?

I guess we'll know when they will start selling it. A decent Kryptonite U-lock can be picked by professional in 1-2 minutes.

Almot wrote:

Almost.
I saw a Youtube video, expensive bolt cutters with replaceable jaws, don't remember 3ft or 4ft, cost over 300 EU. Very expensive safety chain for a bike. He tried, and couldn't. Dented the jaws. After I've added up the total cost, I didn't bother to bookmark it. Such a chain costs upwards of $80 PER FOOT, a 3ft length will cost more than a pair of batteries, and it deserves a fairly decent lock around $100 - shrouded so that they couldn't get the bolt cutter on it.

Such sturdy chains do exist, and cost a fortune. I think senor Mex bragged recently :) about a piece of chain or cable that he salvaged from some aerospace or military place.

OTH, the problem with padlocks is that they can be picked, even the best ones.

I have been following a Locksmith (Wayne Winton) on Youtube. His videos demonstrate brute force attacks on security chains and locks.

For lock picking demos that show how easy some locks can be picked, either of these Youtube channels are good resources
BosnianBill or The Lockpicking Lawyer

After watching both, I will never buy or use a MasterLock padlock again. These locks are garbage security wise and can be opened with a zip tie. After watching Bill's videos, I was able to pick a few locks with very little practice.

The only locks that have any type of security against picking are the Abus 20/70 or the Abus 20/80 of which both are now used on my trailer. In this video, the Lockpicking Lawyer mentions the difficulty in picking these locks. If he and other pros cannot pick them, then the average thief is not going to be able to either.

Of course and as others have mentioned, a grinder with a cutoff wheel will cut through any chain or lock if a thief is determined enough. That said, multiple layers of security at home, such as driveway motion detectors that sound an alarm in the house helps along with door alarms from the same company on the trailer door.