Wire saw - how effective at cutting steel cable + recommendations

I doubt it.

When I had to cut a cable lock after ?clicking? it on (and leaving key at home) I was able to borrow a small wire cutter. By nibbling away at the individual wires (or a few at a time) it didn?t take that long to chew through the cable.

I imagine a junior hacksaw would do the job too but not tried that.

Tim

For something small, light and effective, I would have though a cordless Dremel with an abrasive disk AKA mini angle grinder :-)

I thought I would try carrying one for lopping off branches over bridleways. Maybe they are OK for super fit military types but I found them very hard work. I now carry a small folding pruning saw if I expect to need it. Even the just under 3 inch saw on a swiss army knife is better.

I imagine you would need the expensive (diamond?) ones for metal. I think you would find them very slow, and also not necessarily easy to maintain pressure on a small area.

If it was easy to cut them they would not be of much use as a security device methinks, in fact I'm surprised bolt cutters worked unless they were extremely big ones. Most people I know use combination bike locks, you don't need a key. Brian

One also has to be wary that the police might not approve of anyone carrying a portable angle grinder, bolt croppers etc with them as its called going equipped if they stop you. Brian

Thanks to all.

A small wire cutter seems to be the most sensible option.

Survival type wire saws seem to be of limited value.

I think that cable locks are there merely to slow down opportunistic thieves and meet insurance requirements (locked to an immovable object).

Noting that we immediately thought of the railway staff (turned out to be the transport police) because anywhere which has a major bike storage facility must have countless incidents with cable locks and lost keys, with the consequent need to release the bikes.

Noting also that combination locks are allegedly easy to crack if you know the technique (which I don't) and there will always be someone who has forgotten the combination.

Cheers

Dave R

First few digits of your mobile phone number?

I would think that is a very much up to the actual officer who stopped you, and how you behave.

A youth with lots of mouth and no respect might well have that added to the charge of wearing a loud shirt in a built up area after dark ( NTNON reference there ).

A fully grown respectful adult who had a proper/believable reason for carrying will probably get the "have a nice day" treatment.

...

Lots of people would share the same first few digits. The last few would be more random.