A reciprocating saw is a powerful tool that can be used to cut through a wide variety of materials. In this blog post, we will show you how to use a reciprocating saw to cut through a lock.
In general, to cut a lock first, position the blade, then apply firm pressure to the saw and make sure that the blade is in contact with the metal of the lock. Finally, use a back and forth motion to cut through the metal
Keep in mind that this is a potentially dangerous procedure, so please be careful when following these instructions. With the right precautions in place, however, you can use a reciprocating saw to quickly and easily cut through a lock. Let’s get started!
How to cut a lock with a reciprocating saw step by step:
Here are some steps that you should take to do this job don:
Step 1
Ensure that you have all of the proper tools and materials to successfully complete this project. A reciprocating saw, two-hole saws (one for wood, one for metal), a sturdy sledgehammer, some safety equipment such as safety goggles and gloves, and an acetylene torch or some other tool capable of cutting through metal are all items you will need for this project.
Step 2
Drill holes around the padlock on each side of the lock where the hole saws will be used to create channels for your reciprocating saw blade to fit into.
You can use either a small drill bit or an electric drill for this step; depending on the brand and model of your drill these holes may or may not be perfectly round, but that won’t really affect your results.
Step 3
Insert the blade of your reciprocating saw into one of the holes you just drilled and begin to cut into the lock.
Don’t press too hard on the back of the blade while simultaneously pressing down on the trigger because this could cause the metal around your hole to collapse inwards and possibly damage your tool.
Step 4
Continue cutting through the entire lock until it falls off completely. This should take around five minutes if you are using a high-quality reciprocating saw with sharp blades for cutting metals.
Step 5
Now that you have removed both sides of the padlock, push down on either end of its shackle (the metal piece connected to the lock’s plug) with your sledgehammer.
Tap it lightly at first to make sure you are giving it even pressure, and keep your arms straight while doing this. Continue until the shackle either breaks or is pushed through the bottom of the lock body, allowing you access to whatever was being locked.
Safety Tips:
Here are some safety tips to follow when cutting
- When cutting a lock with a reciprocating saw, one of the biggest risks you face is the possibility that your blade will become stuck in the metal.
- If this happens, please do not try to yank it out! Doing so could damage the teeth on your blade and render it useless.
- Instead, let go of whatever you are using to hold it in place and allow it to fall away from you so you can’t accidentally kick it or catch yourself on its protruding teeth.
- Another risk associated with cutting a lock with a reciprocating saw is that if your blades come loose while inside the metal they may fly out at high speed and injure the eye or another body part.
- To prevent this from happening, always wear protective safety goggles during the cutting process.
Conclusion:
In this post, I showed you how to cut a lock with a reciprocating saw. I hope that this information was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below.
FAQs:
How do you hold the saw when cutting the lock?
When cutting a lock with a reciprocating saw, it’s important to hold the blade from behind and keep your hands away from its edge. This will protect you if the cut piece falls off.
Can you bolt cut a padlock?
Yes. To do so safely, you must use a metal-cutting tool such as an acetylene torch or angle grinder.
What are the best blades to use for cutting locks?
The best blades are high-quality ones made specifically to cut metals. These are usually identified by the material they are designed to cut or by a keyword in their description.
Why would someone want to cut a lock with a reciprocating saw?
Many people choose to cut a lock with a reciprocating saw for convenience reasons. For example, if someone has lost the key to their storage unit they might want to use this method rather than wait on a locksmith to arrive at their location and open it manually.