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Bolt cutter question

Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:06 pm
Posted by Bow dude72
Member since Mar 2017
2703 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:06 pm
I’m trying to cut a 3/8” stainless steel lock. I’ve been using 36” bolt cutters and I can’t get it. Is there a simpler tool out there? Or should I just use a grinder.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28006 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:09 pm to
Grinder
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1620 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:37 pm to
Grinder. Wear safety glasses.
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1851 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:45 pm to
Grinder with cut-off wheel.

And wear eye protection.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
46228 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 1:56 pm to
your other option is a porta-band, if you can get a bite on it with the blade. Much safer than a cut off wheel
Posted by TDsngumbo
Member since Oct 2011
48764 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 2:07 pm to
quote:

Grinder

What will A&M fans bring to this problem that the OP can't do himself?
Posted by Bow dude72
Member since Mar 2017
2703 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 2:43 pm to
This is for work. Some guy keeps putting super glue in the key hole and we are constantly replacing the locks. There has to be an easier solution then grinding.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60309 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 2:55 pm to
The easiest thing is a cutting torch….
Posted by LSUJML
Central
Member since May 2008
51885 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 2:58 pm to
quote:

Grinder. Wear safety glasses.


And long sleeves
Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer
Location: Classified
Member since Nov 2011
38013 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 3:11 pm to
quote:

just use a grinder.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
18803 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 3:18 pm to
Cordless angle grinder, cuttoff wheel, Channellocks, gloves, eye/ear pro. I almost keep a dedicated kit for this with how many cage locks I've had to remove in the military.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
46228 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 3:49 pm to
quote:

There has to be an easier solution then grinding
well there is…find and fire the dude putting glue in the locks
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60309 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 3:55 pm to
I am curious…why did you have to do this often in the military?
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
18803 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 4:04 pm to
quote:

I am curious…why did you have to do this often in the military?


Really poor key control in some units. Or units claiming cages they didn't sign for to put their stuff in. Or units using the wrong kind of locks, taking shortcuts to pass a physical security inspection. Or soldiers putting locks on their OCIE duffles, leaving the military, and proper turn-in during out processing wasn't done.
Posted by lsujunky
Down By The River
Member since Jun 2011
2609 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 6:24 pm to
Grinder with cutoff wheel. Also use a face shield and a guard on the grinder.
Posted by jake wade
North LA
Member since Oct 2007
2305 posts
Posted on 7/30/25 at 7:53 pm to
Metabo
Posted by Tree_Fall
Member since Mar 2021
1082 posts
Posted on 7/31/25 at 9:33 am to
quote:

Really poor key control in some units


During my brief Army career, it was common practice to cut locks off any of the many shut-up buildings, steal what you needed, then snap a look-alike lock on Bolt cutters in the 60s must have been better.
Posted by Cracker
in a box
Member since Nov 2009
19072 posts
Posted on 7/31/25 at 8:26 pm to
Angle grinder
Posted by BiggerBear
Redbone Country
Member since Sep 2011
3144 posts
Posted on 8/1/25 at 9:41 am to
Is this a padlock? Depending out how subtle you want to be, a 3lb sledge hammer will do wonders very quickly, especially if it is a typical, low to medium quality padlock.
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
147956 posts
Posted on 8/1/25 at 4:10 pm to
quote:

This is for work. Some guy keeps putting super glue in the key hole and we are constantly replacing the locks.


quote:

There has to be an easier solution then grinding.
set up a game camera

Find out who’s doing it

Bust his arse


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