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How to bust a U-lock?

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Volvo car jack

Loudpawlz said:
Somewhere along my ride to work the only key left to my u-lock decided to try life off the key chain. No hope for the lock, but I would like to salvage the cable.

So, what's a good method of busting a u-lock? (I promise not to ask how you know this)

TIA
Click to expand...
Use a Volvo car jack, or any one that forms a diamond shape and is small enough ( when "closed" to fit between the bars of the lock. Insert jack, crank, POP!
 
#3 ·
For as tough as U-locks are supposed to be, a Sawzall takes about 3min to cut them. My friend lost the key to his, and the bike stayed locked up for about a year. And we finally decided to go after it, and it didn't take much with the saw.
 
#4 ·
indigosky said:
Use a Volvo car jack, or any one that forms a diamond shape and is small enough ( when "closed" to fit between the bars of the lock. Insert jack, crank, POP!
Click to expand...
Or the Honda diamond shaped car jacks. Definitely the way to do it. Can be broken in under a minute.

dd..''
 
#5 ·
If its a Krypto

Loudpawlz said:
Somewhere along my ride to work the only key left to my u-lock decided to try life off the key chain. No hope for the lock, but I would like to salvage the cable.

So, what's a good method of busting a u-lock? (I promise not to ask how you know this)

TIA
Click to expand...
Theres a serial number on the lock core that will allow you to get a new key.
 
#7 ·
Urban legends I've never tried:

1) I have been told that you might be able to drive a malleable material such as paraffin into the lock cylinder and open it.

2) Spray the contents of a CO2 bottle onto the lock cylinder and when it's frozen, smack it with a BIG hammer.

Tried and true:

Depends what I had access to, but if I had to open it in a hurry:

1) Flame wrench
2) Very large bolt cutters
3) Die grinder with cutoff wheel
4) Dremel with cutoff wheel
5) Sawzall
6) Drill out lock cylinder

Locks are designed to keep the honest thieves away....
 
#9 ·
The jack trick is pretty foolproof.

The spray and smash does not always work. Some of the lock makers have worked out that trick and now make the locks out of material that will not shatter when it's frozen.

What is the lock doing, just holding the cable on it? If it's loose (ie: not locking up a bike) take it to the local Fire statiuon and get them to cut it. They have the tools to do it in about 3 seconds. If the lock is locked to something, have proof of ownership just in case the police come along and start asking questions. Better to have a reason than a new friend named "Ben Dover"...

Me, I'd pick the thing. ;)
 
#10 ·
well...

i tried it with the honda jack, to no avail (it bent the mofo of a jack, crap) and had to buy friend a new one. im sure some jack can do it, but i wouldt try a honda one, maybe a stronger one?

also, hack saw im sure will work, if someone comes to ask what you are doing, run!
 
#11 ·
carbnjunkie said:
i tried it with the honda jack, to no avail (it bent the mofo of a jack, crap) and had to buy friend a new one. im sure some jack can do it, but i wouldt try a honda one, maybe a stronger one?

also, hack saw im sure will work, if someone comes to ask what you are doing, run!
Click to expand...
hacksaw will take forever. Most U locks will outlast easily. A good drill bit to the lock mechanism will render it free in a minute or two. Most lock core is made of a softer aluminum. The drill bit will eat it up like butter on warm toast.
 
#12 ·
mtb_biker said:
hacksaw will take forever. Most U locks will outlast easily. A good drill bit to the lock mechanism will render it free in a minute or two. Most lock core is made of a softer aluminum. The drill bit will eat it up like butter on warm toast.
Click to expand...
Not if you get the right blade.

Same with sawzall, get a blade designed for hardened steel.

IF you have a cordless drill, the best thing to get is a ceramic cutoff wheel.
 
#13 ·
lidarman said:
Not if you get the right blade.

Same with sawzall, get a blade designed for hardened steel.

IF you have a cordless drill, the best thing to get is a ceramic cutoff wheel.
Click to expand...
Coincidentally we tried a Dewalt Sawzall, perhaps we got the wrong blade. But the drill bit took like 3 seconds seriously..
 
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