Every time I get some garage time nowadays there seems to be some rather annoying obstacle in my way. A few weeks ago it was some little effin' scrote who had broken into my shed and this morning............................my relatively expensive Boron Carbide Master padlock has seized!!!!!!!



There's no signs of physical damage to the lock (I had wondered if it had been tampered with) and it was in the same position it always is in.

The key did stick a little bit going in but didn't require excessive force but despite all manner of wiggling and WD40 and a small amount of heat it's not budging.

Any suggestions? I'm thinkming maybe a bit more heat? I probably can't cut it off even if I wanted to, all my tools are locked in the garage!!!!!!

Rang B&Q who said they will only let me return it with some form of proof of purchase, and I don't think I kept the receipt as it wasn't a part of the build!!!

If I have to cut it off what the hell do I use, it's supposedly the same as tank armour??

Is it frosty up your way this morning (it is here).
If so, perhaps it's frozen up on the inside? A squirt of de-icer perhaps?
Otherwise, you may need to call out a locksmith

Are you sure it isn't just frozen? I had to warm several of the padlocks at work this morning to get them open.

If it is siezed, I've got through them in the past with a Dremel and the thin cutting discs. Not a lot of help if the dremel is in the shed...sorry.

adrian

try all ways to free it first, then what is it locked to, is it easier to cut/replace the lock bolt thingy its on than the padlock?

Are you sure it's just stuck or frozen up? Has the little scrote returned and superglued your padlock as he can't break in again?

I'd go to B+Q or similar and buy a cheap angry grinder if you can't get it unstuck. Cordless if you've no power to hand?

This worked for a mate recently when he lost the key for his bike's U lock.

I don't think it's frozen, it's not that cold up here today and I have tried a bit of heat but to no avail. Will try some de-icer.

I did wonder about it being tampered with but there's no sign of any damage or glue residue or anything as far as I can see.

According to youtube the boron alloy ones can be cut through with 36" bolt cutters but mine is the hexagonal carbide one which is supposed to be more difficult.

[Edited on 30/1/10 by eznfrank]

The landlord of my local lost the keys to his bottle store and asked me to cut the lock off.

It was a huge Thatcham approved bike padlock. He said it cost £117.

Less than ten seconds with a 1mm slitting disc.

I drank the best 4 pints I've ever tasted that night.

Paul G

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeCapon
Are you sure it's just stuck or frozen up? Has the little scrote returned and superglued your padlock as he can't break in again?

I'd go to B+Q or similar and buy a cheap angry grinder if you can't get it unstuck. Cordless if you've no power to hand?

This worked for a mate recently when he lost the key for his bike's U lock.

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Boil the kettle

I've heated it up in stages so that it's just about too hot to hold without a glove and it's still not budging.

I think if I can cut it off easily I will be a bit p1ssed off!!

You will cut it off easily.
last night I went through a decent (£30) padlock with hardened shackle. I tried drilling the lock, even though a blunt drill bit went in easy I couldn't turn the mechanism. Then tried a hand hacksaw, which never marked the surface.
Then Mr Angry with a very worn down metal cutting disc. Went through in about 5 seconds.

I was amazed a normal cutting disc went through so easily. And I must add that it was MY padlock I was cutting.

Although none of that really helps if your grinder is in the shed.

[Edited on 30/1/10 by balidey]

Thinking about it now, before you do any cutting, get photos and maybe even a video of you trying to undo it. This will be good proof to send to the manufacturer. maybe the shop won't refund you but the maker might. Especially if you threaten to post on youtube how easy it is to cut through their locks

It's one of THESE, which now I look wa sless expensive than I thought, at least it says it has a lifetime guarantee.

Question is do I just cut it off or try call Master on Monday first, mind you, for that money I think I'll just cut it off and go buy a better one.

call the fire service and tell them you think you left a candle burning...

no no no no not do that, change of plan bad idea.

It can't be that hard, they managed to stamp the letters into the side of the shackle

how about one of these in case the scrote has superglued up the old one?

Try hitting with a hammer after a dose of wd40 might loosen something thats stuck

ive got a grinder you can borrow if you need, trust me it takes about 10 secs. Theres not much can argue with a 0.8mm disc.

in a silly story, in the 80's i had to buy 12 extra security padlocks to secure RAF aircraft hangars, think they were £30 each then, with full covered clasps. when i handed them over to the Officer in charge first thing he said was 'bloody hell they look good, but what do we do when we loose the keys!'

Update - 20 minutes with a hacksaw and I'm about half way through. My mate is coming over later with Mr Angry although I'm not sure I'll be able to get it in as it's quite tight.

Thanks for the offer JoelP, I'll see how we get on this aft and let you know.

Just bought something similar to THIS to stop anyone lifting the corners plus a new padlock to replace the old one.

[Edited on 30/1/10 by eznfrank]

Might have been worth trying some nail varnish remover/ acetone if you suspect someones been playing with superglue? Bit late now !

quote:

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Originally posted by eznfrank

Just bought something similar to THIS to stop anyone lifting the corners plus a new padlock to replace the old one.

[Edited on 30/1/10 by eznfrank]

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quote:

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Originally posted by eznfrank
Update - 20 minutes with a hacksaw and I'm about half way through. My mate is coming over later with Mr Angry although I'm not sure I'll be able to get it in as it's quite tight.

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To stop your new locks gumming up, never oil them. The oil turns to gum with air borne dust. You should only ever lubricate lock mechanisms with graphite powder.

It's too late now, but in future if you thing some one has put super glue in your lock your local hobby shop sells debonder. It's for us modellers who glue our fingers to the work. Softens the glue.