Are you looking for the best tools for cutting locks? If you’ve lost a key or forgot a passcode, the last resort is typically cutting the lock off. While cutting a lock will ruin it, you likely have no other choice.
The five best tools for cutting locks are:
- Bolt Cutters
- Angle Grinder
- Reciprocating Saw
- Crow Bar and Hammer
- Cutting Torch
No matter the type of lock, these tools will cut the lock so you can gain access to your belongings. However, you should learn how to use these tools safely and ensure you don’t damage anything else.
Can You Cut Through All Locks?
When looking for your tool of choice, you must identify what lock you plan on cutting through. All metal saws can cut a standard lock, as the shackle is long enough to cut by the blades. However, things start to get more difficult if you are serious about your security.
A lock with a shackle guard makes it difficult to cut the lock through traditional methods. The guard’s purpose is to prevent you from cutting the shackle, so you must get creative with your techniques.
If you have a heavy-duty shackle guard protecting your shed, you are better off picking the lock or hiring a locksmith to do it for you. The only tool that would be useful against a shackle guard is a cutting torch, with temperatures reaching as high as 4000°.
The 5 Best Tools For Cutting Locks
1. Bolt Cutters
A pair of bolt cutters is the most common tool used to cut locks. Bolt cutters cut through solid metal bolts, which makes it an option to cut the shackle of a lock. The fulcrum of the tool also makes it easier to cut, requiring little strength from the user.
If you don’t have bolt cutters at home, you can find them at any local hardware or home improvement store. Be sure to purchase bolt cutters that are 14” or longer. The short options may make cutting through a hardened steel shackle too difficult.
Once you have bolt cutters, you can cut the lock or the chain connecting the lock to the structure. With an undamaged padlock, you can take it to the hardware store to get a new key made for it.
For those unfamiliar with using bolt cutters, you can follow the video below for guidance to avoid damaging the tool:
There are a wide variety of bolt cutters available on the market. If you need fast results, you can go to your local home improvement store or get next-day shipping with Amazon.
We recommend the Edward Tools 14” Heavy Duty Bolt Cutters as the best choice for cutting locks. The cutters are compact but also can cut through shackles and the grasp body of padlocks.
2. Angle Grinder
Angle grinders are power tools that grind and polish surfaces. Numerous attachments help cut through various materials. You must choose a disc made for cutting metal, as an incorrect choice can cause the tool to break.
A diamond blade is the most common choice for metal, like a lock shackle. These blades will cut through the hardened steel gradually until it completes the cut. For the angle grinder, you can choose between a corded and cordless option.
If you need the angle grinder only for cutting the lock, renting a tool from your local hardware store is the best option. Once done, you can return it for a small fee compared to purchasing a new power tool.
The video below shows you a demonstration of using an angle grinder on a lock:
Important: You must follow safety precautions when operating a power tool like an angle grinder. Make sure you have a guard on the device and wear safety goggles to protect yourself from the sparks.
3. Reciprocating Saw
A reciprocating saw or Sawzall is typically used in construction and demolition work. Most workers use this saw to cut through materials like metal, wood, and PVC. It’s a powerful tool that can help you cut a lock shackle within seconds.
If you want to use a reciprocating saw for the job, you must use a metal-cutting blade. A blade designed for materials like wood can cause many problems and be hazardous to your safety. You will cut through the bolt as the blade moves back and forth quickly.
While operating the saw, you may feel the urge to start cutting slowly, but this is the wrong choice. A reciprocating saw is best used by using the saw quickly over the top of the lock’s shackle.
This video shows an example of a reciprocating saw cutting through a metal shackle:
You must wear safety protection when using the saw, and most people recommend work gloves. The metal shavings that come off the metal padlock can enter your eye if you aren’t careful and cause metal splinters in your hands.
4. Crow Bar and Hammer
Unfortunately, many mainstream padlocks designed by brands like MasterLock have significant design flaws. If you apply tension to the shackle with a crowbar and hit the lock body with a hammer, it will likely dislodge the shackle.
In many cases, a rubber mallet has been enough to loosen the shackle of a MasterLock product. Before you spend time cutting the lock, it’s best to try this method first.
In the video below, you can see a standard MasterLock opened with a quick hit of a hammer:
This lock-opening method can act as both an easy way to loosen a padlock and give you a warning of the exploits of these locks. As home security experts, we never recommend using a standard MasterLock product.
5. Cutting Torch
There is a cutting torch as the most extreme option for cutting a lock. With extreme temperatures, the device cuts through solid metal with a flame that heats the metal. This device uses oxygen and gas to melt through the metal of a padlock.
These products are expensive, so they should only be used in specific situations where it’s your only option. You should also be very careful when using a cutting torch, as they pose a risk of unwanted fires.
In the video below, you can see how to operate a cutting torch safely:
Always operate a cutting torch with the proper safety protection, such as safety goggles and gloves. When operating the cutting torch, you should have a fire extinguisher to prevent any potential fires.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need to cut a lock, the best option is to use bolt cutters that are longer than 14” and are rated to cut hardened steel. A padlock will damage the tool when you use bolt cutters with hardened steel. By buying the correct option, you can quickly cut through a standard padlock shackle.
Dremels can cut through a lock using the proper metal cutting rotary bit. If you use a blade not rated to cut metal, you will have difficulty cutting through the lock and will likely break the tool. However, there are better options, such as an angle grinder or reciprocating saw that can cut through a lock faster.
There are numerous tools that you can use to break a lock. The most common tools are cutting tools like bolt cutters, reciprocating saws, and angle grinders. You may also use a hammer to access some locks with design flaws. Lastly, you can use a cutting torch as a last resort to break the lock.
Conclusion
When you need the option to cut through a lock, these are the best tools for cutting locks quickly. If you have a standard padlock, using bolt cutters is typically all you need to cut through the shackle.
However, you can use the other power tools if you find yourself with a lock that’s tough to open. Lastly, use the information taught in this article wisely and don’t use it to gain unauthorized access to someone’s property.