One of the people I work with had a shed that needed to be cleared out. Unfortunately it was locked shut with a large padlock through a substantial hasp. And she did not have a key.
Eventually I overheard her calling locksmiths. £59.95. £49.95. £79.95. You get the picture. So I piped up that if it were mine I would try cutting the padlock with an angle grinder.
Next day, turned up with my 4.5" grinder with a metal cutting disc fitted (and face shield and ear defenders). She took it home. And today arrived back at work triumphant with a neatly cut padlock. Took her around a minute.
Well done, I say, for a first outing with the dreaded machine. I think she was more scared of being arrested for breaking and entering.
Now she is thinking about buying one for herself... Less cost than a single locksmith callout for a quality one.