I bought a boat and trailer last spring. Yesterday I was checking the tire pressure before taking the boat out for the winter when I realized the spare tire was padlocked on and I don't have a key. That could be embarrassing.
It is a laminated steel padlock. Do I beat it with a sledge hammer until it gives way. saw it with a sawsall and metal blade, or must I use a hacksaw? Any other suggestions? (don't have boltcutters...)
cutoff wheel in a diegrinder or dremel tool will cut the hasp pretty easily.
call a locksmith
on 10/4/2007 10:55 AM Toller said the following:
Check with the local police department or fire department. They have bolt cutters.
That would cost more than buying the tools to cut it off.
especially if your time is worth nothing.
OK, I won't suggest a boltcutter then, but that's the fastest, easiest way to remove it.
You'll have them soon.
If it is a hardened hasp, it twill take months with a hacksaw. Look for a cheap bolt cutter for a one time deal, or borrow one.
These days you can buy a side grinder at one of the Chinese outlets like Harbor Fright for $20. Once you see how fast that takes a lock off you might reconsider locks as a deterrant.
If you call a locksmith, you'll be spending time waiting for him, watching him open the lock, and then writing him a check. If you buy the tool, you will pay less, probably save some of your valuable time, and when you are done, you will still have the nice new tool for other projects.
Locks won't keep out the determined, anyway - and the cheapo side grinders haven't changed the situation at all. Boltcutters require no electricity, make very little noise, and take only seconds to open a padlock.
Good idea; I don't know why I didn't think of it. I just used one to cut up rebar to make a retaining wall, and they went like butter.
Invest in boltcutters. They are also useful burglary tools.
Nick
See if this guy makes housecalls :
Amen to that! I finally bought a 4" disc grinder (Wally World) at about $20. Amazing the jobs you use it on.
Harry K
See if you can slide some shim stock down the side of the shackle and disengage the locking lug. Or sacrifice a feeler guage to the task. Otherwise try one of those 6" wire frame hacksaws and cut very close to the lock body, they never seem fully hard there.
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