There are countless ways to get a padlock open without bolt cutters. You can use a variety of tools to break the lock, including a Dremel and angle grinder. Alternatively, you can cut the lock open with a torch or cut it with a hacksaw. Some cheaper padlocks can be pounded or pried open with a hammer.
What Tools to Use to Cut Padlocks. Bolt cutters are the common tool of choice for to cut padlocks during forcible-entry. Unfortunately, most padlocks are made of case-hardened steel, which is very strong in comparison to the materials that bolt cutters were intended to cut.
If you misplace your key or forget the combination to a lock, you may need to cut through the lock to get it back. Most steel locks can be opened by either using bolt cutters, an angle grinder, or a hacksaw.
This is a less hassle way on how to break a padlock without tools. All you need to do is find two wenches. Put both of their U-shaped clasp between the shackles and quickly pull closer until their handles meet. This will help in detaching the locking mechanism between the shackle and the body of the padlock.
Fashion a lock-pick using household items.
Bobby pins or hair pins work best, but you can also use heavy-duty paperclips, or other stiff bits of wire. First create your pick by opening out one of the bobby pins or paperclips until it is straight. Then bend the last 1/8" of the pick up at a 20 degree angle.
Jiggle the screwdriver while thrusting it in and out of the lock. Slide the blade of the screwdriver back and forth slowly. At the same time, work the handle of the around at different angles to engage as many pins as possible.
To do this, unfold the large edge of your paperclip twice until a straight portion juts out. You will be inserting the straight part into the lock to use as a pick. Some locksmiths also put a tiny upward bend into the tip of the pick. This is to depress the pins inside the lock but is not strictly necessary.
A reciprocating saw is a saw with a blade that moves back and forth in front of the saw. Equipped with a metal grinding blade, this reciprocating saw can be used to cut through the bolts on the lock. Always wear safety goggles and a face mask while sawing metal to prevent metal dust from getting in your eyes or lungs.
To find the pin at the back of the lock, gently push up on the top of the inside of the lock with the pin until you feel something push upward. Once you've found the pin, press down on the handle of the pick to lift the end of the pick and push the pin up above the cylinder.
Turns out, any Master Lock can easily be broken into with just a small hammer. As this video illustrates, all you need to do is tap the side of a Master Lock with a hammer to get it to open, no key, no combination required.
If you don't have bolt cutters, use a hacksaw, angle grinder, or reciprocating saw instead. Secure the chain in a clamp or vise, then saw through 1 link. Keep sawing until both sides of the link are cut in two.
Another handy way to cut a lock is to use a dremel tool. With a dremel, you will need a cutoff wheel, which is quite similar to that of an angle grinder. The best dremel tool usually is smaller than an angle grinder.
To open a door with a credit card, start by sliding the card in the gap between the doorknob and the frame. Then, bend the card toward the doorknob. Next, bend the end of the card back toward the frame, which will cause the card to slip under the latch and unlock the door.
A hammer. As rudimentary as it may seem, a hammer to the door handle can be an effective way of gaining entry, This technique takes a bit more muscle and a trip to the hardware store for a new handle ($10). Bash that sucker down until the screw mechanism breaks on the inside.
Insert a pair of scissors into the hole of the lock as deeply as you can. The blades should be thin enough to fit into the whole of the lock. ... Turn the scissors counter clock wise, from left to right, once the scissors are deeply inserted into the lock. Shift and move the scissors around until the lock is opened.
Master combination locks have a hardened steel shackle that cannot be cut with a standard hacksaw blade. The shackle is hardened steel to deter thieves from breaking it. However, occasionally you might misplace the key for one of these locks or forget the combination, preventing access to your belongings.
A1: Some padlocks, especially those for outdoor use, may have a tiny hole in the side of the cylinder slot. One of its functions is to keep the padlock mechanism unaltered over time, expelling water which could stagnate due to excessive humidity or freeze inside the padlock at low temperatures.
Angle Grinder
This can be the best way to cut a lock. Known as a side grinder disc grinder, this is a mobile machine used for sharp cutting and honing. The 60 grit disc, which is 3⁄64 inches (1.2 mm) in thickness, is the ideal size. It is compact but can be used to cut thick metal shackles.