brulaz
Ontario Canada
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We're boondocking, and after having lost a battery to thieves I'm keeping everything locked up.
But now the bicycles' U-lock jams. It's a cheap barrel key with a pin that broke off inside. The bikes are locked together and to a steel picnic table in the middle of Ocala NF.
Turns out there are reasonable quality 6.2A angle grinders available for US$40 (Hitachi at Lowes). Fitted with a metal cutoff disc, and running off my 1000W PSW inverter, that lock was cut off in no time.
Of course thieves can do the same thing ...
Anyway, I'm permanently adding that tool to my RV tool box. You never know when you might need to cut or grind some metal.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
2014 ORV Timber Ridge 240RKS,8500#,1250# tongue,44K miles
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Unfortunately, the only thing a lock does is keep the honest people honest.
And, slightly slow down a thief. They probably use cordless grinders.
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Almot
out there
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I'm a little lost here - how having a grinder will keep locked bikes safe. Unless you are going to do what they do to thieves in Turkey.
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Almot wrote:I'm a little lost here - how having a grinder will keep locked bikes safe. Unless you are going to do what they do to thieves in Turkey.
A grinder won't keep the bikes safe. But, if they get stolen you can easily steal a replacement.
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RJsfishin
Winston Or.
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Bolt cutter is quiter
Rich
'01 31' Rexall Vision, Generac 5.5k, 1000 watt Honda, PD 9245 conv, 300 watts Solar, 150 watt inv, 2 Cos 6v batts, ammeters, led voltmeters all over the place, KD/sat, 2 Oly Cat heaters w/ ox, and towing a 2012 Liberty, Lowe bass boat, or a Kawi Mule.
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brulaz
Ontario Canada
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gbopp wrote:Unfortunately, the only thing a lock does is keep the honest people honest.
And, slightly slow down a thief. They probably use cordless grinders.
True.
But I also like to think that it helps keep kids from doing something really stupid. Something they'll very much regret later.
And no, the grinder/cut-off doesn't prevent anybody from stealing either.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
But I was surprised how simple and cheap it was to solve my lock problem, even when boondocking. Although cordless grinders are available, they are more expensive for the equivalent power. The low cost of this 6.2A corded grinder does help justify our 1000W inverter.
The inverter did cut-out once when I jammed the cut-off wheel. But I just restarted it, and after maybe 30s total it was done.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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brulaz wrote:Turns out there are reasonable quality 6.2A angle grinders available for US$40 (Hitachi at Lowes). Fitted with a metal cutoff disc, and running off my 1000W PSW inverter, that lock was cut off in no time.
Many times I have explained that there is no lock, no matter how well constructed, which you can use to secure a Generator or Bicycle that I can't cut off.... and it appears YOU have discovered my secret .
Yup, Mine is a different brand, but basically same product, and it's not the only cutter in the tool box I might add, I have several different options. Good thing I'm not in the thieve business.. Used to be though, but a different part of it, many a thief owes his new "position" to my efforts, and even though I am now retired, Still more get arrested because of things I did when I was working... I'm sure they wish I had not been so good at my job but hey.. The plan
Bad guy goes to bad place
Good guy gets his car back.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
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time2roll
Southern California
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Keep the angle grinder locked up or all will be gone in an instant ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
Otherwise any simple lock is fine. If the right person wants the item it will be gone regardless.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Kryptonite are probably the best bicycle locks. Includes insurance (except in NYC).
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Shadow Catcher
NW Ohio
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Anything you can get a bolt cutter on is toast. There are a series of tests of bike locks on Youtube it is a matter of seconds. The angel grinder will cut through most metals some more easily than others. High carbon high alloy longer.
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