"Tony Miklos" wrote in message
...
On 11/25/2011 7:34 PM, Robert Green wrote:
I've got a padlock that's been outside too long. The key won't turn
(although after copious amounts of WD40 it does, finally, enter the
lock)
and it's in a rather hard to reach spot. I'm heading off to Harbor
Freight
this weekend, so I was thinking that the best way to remove the lock
would
be to buy an angle grinder and the appropriate cutoff wheels.

Of course, it would be nicest to simply unlock it, and any tips or
suggestions about how to coax it open are welcome. Brass body, looks
like
chrome steel hasp and brass key. Have not tried penetrating oil, hammer
bopping, vibrating, heating or cooling yet. Saving the lock is
unimportant
so cutting is a good alternative as I've wanted an angle grinder/cutoff
tool
for a while. (-:

I see them cutting through industrial-sized padlocks like butter on
"Storage
Wars" and it looks like they are using an electrically powered 5 or 6"
angle
grinder. HF sells an air powered version, but I've got a cheap
compressor )-: that I doubt would power it. An electric tool would be
better. I have a lithium-ion powered Dremel, but I don't think it would
cut
through on a single charge. It's just to lightweight a tool for this
job.

Anyone have any tips for weatherproofing a replacement? Blobs of
silcone
over the key hole and where the hasps enter the body of the lock?

--
Bobby G.


If you have AC power within reach, go with the angle grinder with a cut
off wheel, it will have 100 times the torque of an air powered one from
harbor freight and will cut through the lock like butter.

It's easier for me to drag an extension cord than the air compressor out
there so I am heavily leaning toward the angle-grinder solution. I've never
been able to figure out who buys air powered tools and why . . .

Thanks for your input!

--
Bobby G.