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

Unfortunately, the only thing a lock does is keep the honest people honest. And, slightly slow down a thief. They probably use cordless grinders.

I'm a little lost here - how having a grinder will keep locked bikes safe. Unless you are going to do what they do to thieves in Turkey.

Almot wrote:I'm a little lost here - how having a grinder will keep locked bikes safe. Unless you are going to do what they do to thieves in Turkey.A grinder won't keep the bikes safe. But, if they get stolen you can easily steal a replacement. :B

gbopp wrote:Unfortunately, the only thing a lock does is keep the honest people honest. And, slightly slow down a thief. They probably use cordless grinders.True.But I also like to think that it helps keep kids from doing something really stupid. Something they'll very much regret later.And no, the grinder/cut-off doesn't prevent anybody from stealing either.:)But I was surprised how simple and cheap it was to solve my lock problem, even when boondocking. Although cordless grinders are available, they are more expensive for the equivalent power. The low cost of this 6.2A corded grinder does help justify our 1000W inverter. The inverter did cut-out once when I jammed the cut-off wheel. But I just restarted it, and after maybe 30s total it was done.

Bicycle Lock Vs Angle Grinder | Good Sam Community

JaxDad
Explorer III
Mar 09, 2017
2oldman wrote:
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Boondocking is about the safest place you can be.
How is that?
Fewer people, fewer criminals. Criminals are lazy too, they don't go driving long distances to seek out victims.

That's my theory on sleeping in highway rest areas instead of Wallydocking.

If they have a vehicle, gas money and time to get out to a rest area they're less likely to be as money-hungry as the folks in the Wally-world parking lot.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Mar 09, 2017
A friend destroyed the jaws on a brand new 48" made-in-USA RIGID® bolt cutter. He did not believe my 1/4" manganese steel square link chain stood a chance. So he grabbed a Makita 4" grinder with a saw disc. It exploded the disc.

Have a stainless steel (316 is best) box built to pass the chain through and use a good padlock. No it isn't bullet proof. But a thief dragging a 120-pound Rottweiler using his butt muscles makes light fingering rather a discouraging endeavor.

EDIT: Inclusion of "RIGID®"
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2017
The aftermarket guarded hasp and lock they use of van doors are really very good. Very difficult to attack even with a grinder. Sadly many of the "name brand" companies use cheap, relatively easy to pick, lock cylinders. (A good lock pick, working a lock he has picked before, is almost as fast a bolt cutters on a chain.)

If you are going to buy one of these, get one with a thick steel guard and the key on the bottom.

Forum Discussion

Bicycle Lock Vs Angle Grinder

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Buffing wheel for angle grinder

Bicycles

Coffee Grinder?

Motorcycle and Bicycle Transport

Hauling bicycles