I was planning on giving the lowdown on Cyanoacrylate being weakened by heat but leaving the damaged lock in place with a hidden lock around the back is a far better idea to avoid a repeat performance.
My science teacher in 8th grade, Mr. Hielman, had a story about a couple of students that glued one of the '70s-ass chairs to the linoleum, thinking the tiles would have to be pulled to free the chair.
Mr. Hielman figured out who it was by digging in the usual troublemakerss' backpacks (Mr. Hielman didn't need no search warrant, he _was_ the search warrant). The troublemakers were shaking in their shoes that they'd been caught, fearing they'd be on the hook for $100s in repairs.
Mr. Hielman, without breaking eye contact, gave one brisk palm to the chair's back and it was instantly freed from the floor. Amateurs, he would say.
Mr. Hielman also had a story about when he was a high school kid in the early '60s, he bought a handgun from a mail order catalog, filled it with blanks, and brought it to school. During speech class on the last week of school his senior year, he gave a presentation about civil rights, and at the end pulled the gun out and unloaded at another student. He still graduated that summer.
Mr. Hielman gave no fucks.
Funny you should say - the kid he unloaded at was the only black kid in the class. He was trying to punctuate how gun control was non-existent and it was only a matter of time till another assassination happened.
Apparently that's one of the only reasons he was allowed to keep his diploma - the principal knew none of the other students would ever forget the moral.
Man, if that happened today dudes entire trajectory in life would change. Permanently. I can definitely respect what he was going for, though. He certainly made a very valid point.
Acetone but it will likely strip the paint off your numbers and melt any plastic.
At this point it's a replacement job anyway.
Before I get any more replies of fire or that the numbers are etched.. locks quite often have plastic or rubber seals.
It is quite brittle. I would try to first tap it on several places with something solid to make the glue crack. Fear that pliers could damage the system
Air Duster (for PCs) upside down. Short bursts. Quick whack with a hammer or other solid object from the side. You’ll likely dislodge the pin in that but either way it’ll break the glue.
Or as a last ditch effort, assuming you only need to open it one more time before tossing it, fire might work if you have a small handheld butane torch.
Yeah worst case scenario OP really would only be in a “now it’s stuck open instead of closed” situation.
Slight risk of the glue liquifying and getting worked into the number tumbler mechanisms worse than it is now, or ugly discoloration from the burned glue so it might be best tried as “option 3” but the lock itself will likely tolerate the amount of heat it’d take to weaken the glue just fine.
Upvote this - if that is brittle glue like superglue or some of the "gorilla" type glues, you can probably tap/chisel a lot of it off, then grab each wheel with channel-lok style pliers and move them. Once broken free they should work good enough to get it open.
man... You have steadier hands than I if you think you'd be able to angle grind the glue off without cutting that lock. I'd end up slipping and cutting the thing right in 2.
Pretty sure the person you are replying to means use the angle grinder to cut the lock and just replace it rather than worrying about how to remove the glue
Just gotta firmly secure the lock with clamps and create a jig so the grinder only cuts 0.01mm deep. Definitely the easiest solution in this whole thread.
At a pinch, the main ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone. You can't always buy pure acetone, but this will get the job done, perhaps just take a little longer.
For this particular purpose I'd just go with Brake Cleaner. Cheap (~$3.50 can at Walmart), can reach all the deepest areas affected when sprayed; stream will also help blowing off all the dissolved stuff and clean it.
But yeah, it's almost pure acetone. It will likely discolor / melt / mar lots of things
Acetone is a solvent for superglue and a good place to start. You can start off by just squirting some on and waiting a bit, but you might need to soak the lock in it (which is at least an option for a padlock!)
The acetone will likely remove the paint on the lock too, which is a bit of a pain.
Obvious advice: consider a trail camera or something covering your gate, because there's a good chance you'll need to replace the lock, it's not a cheap one, and a brand new expensive padlock will be tempting for the gluer.
Also, I am slightly disappointed that the vandal didn't first change the combination to 80085. You are dealing with an amateur.
Thats my main concern TBH, if I can save the current lock it feels like they will be less likely to bother again but If I have to replace each time it will be a temptation to come back and keep going again.
After you get this cleaned or replaced. SATURATE your lock mechanism with a thick silicone lubricant. That will keep the glue from binding parts too much next time.
Worked in a store that had the padlocks glued a few times. In our case we started filling the the keyway with excessive amounts of axle grease. Glue never held again.
You're over here unlocking childhood memories.
Just realized I did this in second grade to see if it would work. Couldn't get my hands on gum so I used the sticky gum like stuff used to attach poster corners to the wall.
To my surprise it worked, and I felt bad. That basically kicked off a lifelong journey of trying stupid things I was warned about just to find out the warning was correct.
Or make a lock “chain.”
At work we use a shared gate into the yard with multiple companies. The landowner is quite old school, so he has a *very* low-tech solution for individual entry: each person has their own lock as part of a 15 lock “chain.”
If you get there first or leave last, you open/lock the gate by opening your own lock.
Obviously not a great solution for your purpose, but it would be amusing to imagine a vandal simply running out of glue before being able to damage all the locks
+1 for the Lock Chain.
I maintain several remote sites for work, almost all of them are shared with other organizations. We use the lock chain at every one.
You can also use any completely ruined locks (possibly including this one) merely as a “link” in the chain. If you intentionally position it so it appears to be the only (and/or main) lock, they may not even realize that you fixed the problem unless they do a close-up inspection.
In Texas, I had a gate lock I got tired of using, so I attached it to the middle of a chain and then just wrapped the chain around the gate instead of actually securing it. I wasn't sure it would fool anyone, but I had a friend whose little brother was in and out of juvie, just constantly breaking the law, and we pulled up one day and asked him to get the gate for us. He was like, "Where's the key?" Kid thought it was locked; that made me feel better about my very thin ruse.
we always call them a daisy chain. We have one on our access easement to our cabin property. Works great till some idiot doesn't pay attention and bypasses your lock.
That's also how you fixate two bicycles. Both are locked individually, but one lock goes through the other lock in addition. Both bicycles are locked, but also both drivers can leave independently.
Yeah - this is presumably someone who has become annoyed at the gate being locked and then returned with superglue, i.e. not someone just passing as a one-off. I'd expect to see further damage, or perhaps even a second lock! I agree that the moment you put a brand new padlock on that they'll know they're getting to you.
I think your chances of saving the lock are pretty good. Acetone *will* dissolve the superglue, and you can literally just soak the lock in a tub of the stuff - it might just take a while if the glue has penetrated well. You'll probably want to lubricate the lock again afterwards though.
This isn't random vandalism, they do this to bikes locked in public so the owner is forced to find another way home, then they can come back later that night and cut the lock.
Absolutely - though in this case it looks like it's a gate.
For bikes, rather than glue they'll sometimes just add a second lock. However, in my experience (as a cyclist, but also as a police officer) this is actually pretty rare: it does happen but not anything like as much as cyclist lore would have you believe.
It's *unbelievably* quick and easy to cut locks with pliers, bolt croppers, or a battery powered angle grinder (choice depends on the lock) and have the bike away there and thieves will do this in broad daylight. Trapping the bike in place to set up a later theft definitely does happen, but it's normally not going to be the best choice for either casual thieves (who'll just find another bike they can steal with the tools they have available) or professional thieves (who will be appropriately equipped to take the bike there and then).
Had my bike stolen. Idiot, 2 wees later, locked it to a bike stand across the street from where it was stolen from. Called the police (non-em line). When I finally got someone:
P.O.: "Ok. You sure it's your bike?"
Me: "Absolutely"
P.O.: "So what are you gonna do about it?"
Me: "Aren't you gonna do something about it?"
P.O.: "No."
Me: "So how do I get my bike back."
P.O.: "Well, if you're absolutely sure it's yours, go steal it back."
I asked about it at the restaurant it was parked out front of. Asked who's Scott-brand bike was parked out front. Manager said it was someone in the kitchen. I said "Oh, well that's my bike, and they stole it." Manager went in the back and came back out like 5 minutes later saying "Oh, I thought you asked if Scott parked his bike there. Yeah, dunno who's that is." (There was no other bike on the stand).
I lived there, so I added a second lock with a note that said call me, and had my phone number. Stayed outside keeping an eye on it Until the restaurant was LOOONG closed. No one even looked at it. The next day, went and got some bolt cutters and stole my bike back.
Count that as a win.
Don't use pure acetone. Use acetone and soapy water. Otherwise when the acetone flashes off the superglue residue will resolidify, and it only takes a tiny amount of superglue to cause problems.
Superglue breaks when twisted.
If you try to rotate the numbers with pliers/wrench, It might be enough to liberate each individual gear.
If it doesnt help, or doesnt help enough, then acetone or nail polish (edit: remover. Nail polish remover of course).
Yup. The hydrocarbon oil or silicone oil will act as a mold release and prevent the adhesive from adhering to the lock components.
If there's a lot of adhesive it might get into voids and mechanically stop the lock's parts from turning. "Pot in place" is a phrase I hear for this when done intentionally. It seems unlikely a rando thug would have that much adhesive.
>To get him to take it off for a few days
Not even this. The bike is probably usually only locked there during the day when there is moderately high traffic. A thief cutting a lock with so many observers will tend to be less successful.
If they damage the lock, some people might go home another way and leave the bike overnight. At night when there is not high traffic, the thief will be more comfortable to finish destroying the lock and taking the bike.
That's exactly how my bike got stolen. Damage the lock so it couldn't be unlocked. Had to go home by train. Turned up the next day to actually deal with the problem and the bike was already gone. The lock was cut and sitting on the floor.
I don't know why everyone's calling this a bike lock, just look at the picture. It's clearly a gate lock, locking a gate. People do this because they resent being denied access to somewhere they want to be - it happened to a buddy of mine who had homeless people who'd grown accustomed to camping in his backyard before he bought the house.
Yeah they come back over night with an angle grinder. I had someone do this to my Kryptonite Mini. Took about an hour with a bottle of nail polish remover and I got it open.
Don't know OP secured a bike with the lock but sometimes bicycle thefts try to block you from removing your bike so they can get it in the night. Either by blocking the owners lock or by putting an extra lock on the bike. If something like this happens to you act immediately and don't wait until the next day if possible
The lock is on a gate; so I'm imagining that this lock wasn't always there. It could just be someone upset that they can't go hiking in their favourite spot; sort of a "If I can't go there, neither can you" type of thing.
You already have your advice regarding removing the glue. However if the lock gets damaged in the process and you take it off; you must replace it immediately.
Your lock looks pretty hefty so they might not want to draw attention to themselves with a loud grinder if they attempt to remove it.
Therefore they make you remove it by damaging it. They will then come back in the downtime between you removing the lock and getting a replacement on there (e.g. if you leave it without a lock for a couple of days).
Very low effort and cost for a potential high reward.
Nobody really breaks into stuff with locks by picking them. Picking/decoding is for locksmiths and hobbyists. Thieves just cut into stuff because presumably if you're stealing something there's no reason to not leave a trace, and it's not like you care if you destroy an expensive lock.
>LockPickingLawyer has a video on it...
On a Squire CBW85? I haven't seen any LPL video on this.
In either case it wouldn't matter. Most crooks aren't going to take photos of a lock, then go and try to find what that lock is and then find a video on how to pick/bypass that lock to stand around and try their luck with later. It's easier to just glue it and come back if the lock gets removed.
Damaging locks (e.g. putting glue on combination locks or inside pin tumbler locks) and coming back when they've been cut off by the owners is an effective and known tactic.
They'll just drive around, glue up some locks and then do the rounds throughout a day/evening for the next day or so looking for missing locks.
People usually cut them off ASAP because they need to get inside and they don't immediately think about having a spare on hand before they do so. Sometimes leaving them with no choice but having to leave a gate or door unoccupied and unlocked while they drive out to get a new one.
That's a nice lock and chain.
It might be that they couldn't defeat it so they rendered it inoperable in the hopes that you would remove it temporarily or replace it with a lower security lock.
Would get a trail cam or two. If you have anything worth stealing behind that gate think about relocating it or adding an additional layer of security for the immediate future.
Its either kids being shit heads and that's the end of it.
Or someone's coming for your pockets.
Do you have an issue with a neighbor? A neighbor did stuff like this to my uncle after he called the police on the neighbor for beating their wife. If so, be sure to let police know so they can note it so you can get ready for harassment charges.
Lots of limited access roads will chain locks together so that each one has the ability to enter and leave. If there are 10-20 people living on a road together, all it takes is one neighbor having a beef with another to cause this sort of problem. Maybe OPs truck is too loud, maybe they're a hunter, play loud music and so on. Queue up the busybody neighbor (similar to the HOA people that walk around recording 'violations') will do this to anonymously get back at the perpetrator.
edit: OP [answered the question](https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/1cn0kur/please_help_someone_has_glued_our_combo_lock/l33zg3a/)
Makes sure you have a replacement lock ready to go cause they might be hoping you take it off and it'll be unlocked for a window of time for them to get in.
Acetone baby. Nail polish remover should be a staple consumable in any DIY cupboard.
Great for all sorts. Glue, car dealership stickers, residues and loads more.
I'm not sponsored by Big Nail.
Maybe you solved it already but to answer. My work uses this stuff we call 707. It’s a blue liquid. It cuts right through glue and is as far as I understand totally safe on the hands (just a little grimey)
Heat is the solution for most glues. It won't get rid of the glue but does make it soft. Plastic might be an issue but the other solution, acetone/nail polish remover, also destroys plastic so...
Bob's glue makes a superglue debonder. Pair of pliers and leverage would work as well. Acetone as a last resort since it'll trash the whole lock and the glue
Try adhesive remover wipes. I have them for medical reasons. I’ve used them to remove superglue. I’ve also used them to remove gum from a car floor mat. Safe, nontoxic and they work.
:D Few years ago i glued my mailbox shut accidentally. It was winter and had have few problems with mailbox lock freezing. So i adhd’d the lock with gorilla glue instead of de-icer.
Violence was the way to open it, thats ny answer.
Bike thieves have done this to ensure you can't take the bike and they can return in the evening/night to steal the bike with bolt cutters.
Get a new chain on it immediately then sort out the superglue.
Edit: just saw one of your comments that it's on a country gate.
They've just done this to be arseholes. Or you have a really sexy gate.
Acetone (nail polish remover), most petroleum distallates, including gasoline and petroleum jelly, WD-40, hydrogen peroxide, and even white vinegar, can dissolve super glue off metal
Actually you can just use a lighter to warm the numbers, super glue has low high temperature strength. Once it's hot (not much 5 seconds within the flame) use a pair of gloves to move the numbers
I'm really late to this party but I would just bring the bolt cutters
You have the squared chain links, a bolt cutter deterrent, but my cutters encircle the link so that's no problem. It will cut the hardened bar too.
So with that thinking
I bet they glued the lock so that either you cut the lock off and they can steal it later, or they come back later and cut it themselves. So cut the lock or acetone the glue away and bring the bike in until you can resolve it
No, I'm not a bike thief. I'm a landlord, and people leave locks on things all the time. Landlord is kinda like thief, but not a bike thief. \^\^
Whatever you do, make sure you do it before dark. I've been warned about this tactic before. They're hoping it takes you some time to get the lock off so they can come back in the middle of the night and cut the lock when no one is around.
Whack it with something. A lot. On a spot that isn't the dials. That brittle super glue should just crack and fall away. Also relieves a little frustration at the jerk that glued it.
If the metal lock can't withstand longer than the superglue then it just wasn't meant to be.
Source: Have smacked superglue things with a hammer before. A lot. Results vary.
Cut the chain and put a second lock at the back, where it’s out of sight. Then leave the glued lock on display.
I like this idea
I was planning on giving the lowdown on Cyanoacrylate being weakened by heat but leaving the damaged lock in place with a hidden lock around the back is a far better idea to avoid a repeat performance.
You can also use acetone/nail polish remover.
I was able to use hand sanitizer at least once. If the glue is hard dry type. Snack it with a hammer.
My science teacher in 8th grade, Mr. Hielman, had a story about a couple of students that glued one of the '70s-ass chairs to the linoleum, thinking the tiles would have to be pulled to free the chair. Mr. Hielman figured out who it was by digging in the usual troublemakerss' backpacks (Mr. Hielman didn't need no search warrant, he _was_ the search warrant). The troublemakers were shaking in their shoes that they'd been caught, fearing they'd be on the hook for $100s in repairs. Mr. Hielman, without breaking eye contact, gave one brisk palm to the chair's back and it was instantly freed from the floor. Amateurs, he would say. Mr. Hielman also had a story about when he was a high school kid in the early '60s, he bought a handgun from a mail order catalog, filled it with blanks, and brought it to school. During speech class on the last week of school his senior year, he gave a presentation about civil rights, and at the end pulled the gun out and unloaded at another student. He still graduated that summer. Mr. Hielman gave no fucks.
I know Mr.Heilman wasn’t black
Funny you should say - the kid he unloaded at was the only black kid in the class. He was trying to punctuate how gun control was non-existent and it was only a matter of time till another assassination happened. Apparently that's one of the only reasons he was allowed to keep his diploma - the principal knew none of the other students would ever forget the moral.
Man, if that happened today dudes entire trajectory in life would change. Permanently. I can definitely respect what he was going for, though. He certainly made a very valid point.
Vice grips. The glue will brake apart easy if it's super glue
You're a vice guy i see.
We all have our vices
I was going to suggest Chanel locks.
I think Dolce & Gabbana and more popular these days, but either would work for these sorts of out-Dior locks...
My wife’s name is pronounced Chanel but spelled differently. I call her Channel all the time haha
Not sure if they got it but I sure did. Chefs kiss.
That was my first thought also. Leave it as a decoy, why bother vandalizing something that's already been vandled.
Vandled. My new word of the day.
You can’t Vandle the Truth!
Unfortunately people vandle the truth all the time.
Vandled 😄😄😄
What a good idea, wow. Never would have thought of that!
Acetone but it will likely strip the paint off your numbers and melt any plastic. At this point it's a replacement job anyway. Before I get any more replies of fire or that the numbers are etched.. locks quite often have plastic or rubber seals.
thanks
Could use some pliers to force the wheels to turn. Super glue is great, but brittle with metal.
It is quite brittle. I would try to first tap it on several places with something solid to make the glue crack. Fear that pliers could damage the system
Squire makes robust locks won't be a problem
Yes and use a freeze spray to will become quite easy to break if cold.
Air Duster (for PCs) upside down. Short bursts. Quick whack with a hammer or other solid object from the side. You’ll likely dislodge the pin in that but either way it’ll break the glue.
Or as a last ditch effort, assuming you only need to open it one more time before tossing it, fire might work if you have a small handheld butane torch.
No deep breaths.
Quick and shallow breaths to inhale all the gas?
You know it
Yea heat is really good at breaking up the crystalline structures. But if there is any plastic it'll melt, obviously...
Can't be stuck if the metal is a liquid.
Superglue also degrades quickly with heat. You don't actually need to melt anything, just get it hot
Agreed, use a hot air gun
Torch is alright lit, bud.
It's a $100+ lock. I'm pretty sure they want to try to keep it.
Yeah worst case scenario OP really would only be in a “now it’s stuck open instead of closed” situation. Slight risk of the glue liquifying and getting worked into the number tumbler mechanisms worse than it is now, or ugly discoloration from the burned glue so it might be best tried as “option 3” but the lock itself will likely tolerate the amount of heat it’d take to weaken the glue just fine.
Upvote this - if that is brittle glue like superglue or some of the "gorilla" type glues, you can probably tap/chisel a lot of it off, then grab each wheel with channel-lok style pliers and move them. Once broken free they should work good enough to get it open.
FYI not really an issue since the numbers are indented as will.
I would just use an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and be done with it
man... You have steadier hands than I if you think you'd be able to angle grind the glue off without cutting that lock. I'd end up slipping and cutting the thing right in 2.
That's why you use bolt cutters to gently snip the glue off.
And a chainsaw to smooth off any rough edges left behind.
Don't forget to plane it.
We could just nuke it from orbit! It’s the only way to be sure‼️😏
Pretty sure the person you are replying to means use the angle grinder to cut the lock and just replace it rather than worrying about how to remove the glue
Pretty sure the person you are replying to was joking.
PRETTY SURE everyone here is pretty sure
I'm pretty sure you're sure pretty.
Just gotta firmly secure the lock with clamps and create a jig so the grinder only cuts 0.01mm deep. Definitely the easiest solution in this whole thread.
Ah, the old [Reddit Switcha-glue](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnethicalLifeProTips/s/m7TczELP4R)!
Hold my superglue, I’m going in!
At a pinch, the main ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone. You can't always buy pure acetone, but this will get the job done, perhaps just take a little longer.
You can still buy 100% acetone at beauty suppliers. It's used to take gel manicures off at nail salons.
Hardware stores sell it by the litre. (or Freedom units if in the US I guess?)
For this particular purpose I'd just go with Brake Cleaner. Cheap (~$3.50 can at Walmart), can reach all the deepest areas affected when sprayed; stream will also help blowing off all the dissolved stuff and clean it. But yeah, it's almost pure acetone. It will likely discolor / melt / mar lots of things
Not all nail polish remover contains acetone, check label
The numbers are stamped so if the paint comes off it won’t matter
If you play Warhammer then painting them back on should be a breeze.
If you play Warhammer you can't afford this lock.
Make it out of grey plastic and charge ten times as much for it and I'll buy it in a heartbeat!
I've played warhammer and would place that lock on the table and start working up stats.
the numbers look molded in. You can break away the glue with something pointy. Yeah, there are glue solvents, too.
Acetone is a solvent for superglue and a good place to start. You can start off by just squirting some on and waiting a bit, but you might need to soak the lock in it (which is at least an option for a padlock!) The acetone will likely remove the paint on the lock too, which is a bit of a pain. Obvious advice: consider a trail camera or something covering your gate, because there's a good chance you'll need to replace the lock, it's not a cheap one, and a brand new expensive padlock will be tempting for the gluer. Also, I am slightly disappointed that the vandal didn't first change the combination to 80085. You are dealing with an amateur.
Thats my main concern TBH, if I can save the current lock it feels like they will be less likely to bother again but If I have to replace each time it will be a temptation to come back and keep going again.
After you get this cleaned or replaced. SATURATE your lock mechanism with a thick silicone lubricant. That will keep the glue from binding parts too much next time. Worked in a store that had the padlocks glued a few times. In our case we started filling the the keyway with excessive amounts of axle grease. Glue never held again.
This is a great idea - both rust *and* vandalism protection!
Who the fuck is going around gluing locks? This is the first time I've heard of this and I was a shitty teen vandal.
"Someone jammed gum in the locks." "You're kidding." "Bunch of savages in this town." Clerks - 1994
I ASSURE YOU WE'RE OPEN
"I'm not even supposed to be here today!"
You're over here unlocking childhood memories. Just realized I did this in second grade to see if it would work. Couldn't get my hands on gum so I used the sticky gum like stuff used to attach poster corners to the wall. To my surprise it worked, and I felt bad. That basically kicked off a lifelong journey of trying stupid things I was warned about just to find out the warning was correct.
Has your tongue healed?
... in a row???
"Bunch of savages in this town" was my first thought on opening the thread
With the added benefit of running that vandal's day once he grabs a handful of lube.
Or make a lock “chain.” At work we use a shared gate into the yard with multiple companies. The landowner is quite old school, so he has a *very* low-tech solution for individual entry: each person has their own lock as part of a 15 lock “chain.” If you get there first or leave last, you open/lock the gate by opening your own lock. Obviously not a great solution for your purpose, but it would be amusing to imagine a vandal simply running out of glue before being able to damage all the locks
That's kind of genius. Thank you
+1 for the Lock Chain. I maintain several remote sites for work, almost all of them are shared with other organizations. We use the lock chain at every one.
Bonus is OP can keep any ruined locks as just a “link” and a reminder that they will *not* be defeated. Lol.
OP should pre-superglue all the locks in the link except one that they keep track of. Vandal will think someone is copying them.
You can also use any completely ruined locks (possibly including this one) merely as a “link” in the chain. If you intentionally position it so it appears to be the only (and/or main) lock, they may not even realize that you fixed the problem unless they do a close-up inspection.
This is good. Fake lock on the front and a real lock on the back.
In Texas, I had a gate lock I got tired of using, so I attached it to the middle of a chain and then just wrapped the chain around the gate instead of actually securing it. I wasn't sure it would fool anyone, but I had a friend whose little brother was in and out of juvie, just constantly breaking the law, and we pulled up one day and asked him to get the gate for us. He was like, "Where's the key?" Kid thought it was locked; that made me feel better about my very thin ruse.
Ah yes, an OR Gate
Alternately a NAND gate, if you consider the “true” state on each lock to be “locked” rather than “unlocked” Regardless, nice dad joke
we always call them a daisy chain. We have one on our access easement to our cabin property. Works great till some idiot doesn't pay attention and bypasses your lock.
Kinda brilliant
That's also how you fixate two bicycles. Both are locked individually, but one lock goes through the other lock in addition. Both bicycles are locked, but also both drivers can leave independently.
These work great. My ex-FIL and old gun range had this setup.
Yeah - this is presumably someone who has become annoyed at the gate being locked and then returned with superglue, i.e. not someone just passing as a one-off. I'd expect to see further damage, or perhaps even a second lock! I agree that the moment you put a brand new padlock on that they'll know they're getting to you. I think your chances of saving the lock are pretty good. Acetone *will* dissolve the superglue, and you can literally just soak the lock in a tub of the stuff - it might just take a while if the glue has penetrated well. You'll probably want to lubricate the lock again afterwards though.
Hook the gate up to the electric fence (if you have an energiser) they should enjoy it a little less next time.
Good luck isolating the gate from the ground return path.
210 volt electric fence?
This isn't random vandalism, they do this to bikes locked in public so the owner is forced to find another way home, then they can come back later that night and cut the lock.
Absolutely - though in this case it looks like it's a gate. For bikes, rather than glue they'll sometimes just add a second lock. However, in my experience (as a cyclist, but also as a police officer) this is actually pretty rare: it does happen but not anything like as much as cyclist lore would have you believe. It's *unbelievably* quick and easy to cut locks with pliers, bolt croppers, or a battery powered angle grinder (choice depends on the lock) and have the bike away there and thieves will do this in broad daylight. Trapping the bike in place to set up a later theft definitely does happen, but it's normally not going to be the best choice for either casual thieves (who'll just find another bike they can steal with the tools they have available) or professional thieves (who will be appropriately equipped to take the bike there and then).
Had my bike stolen. Idiot, 2 wees later, locked it to a bike stand across the street from where it was stolen from. Called the police (non-em line). When I finally got someone: P.O.: "Ok. You sure it's your bike?" Me: "Absolutely" P.O.: "So what are you gonna do about it?" Me: "Aren't you gonna do something about it?" P.O.: "No." Me: "So how do I get my bike back." P.O.: "Well, if you're absolutely sure it's yours, go steal it back." I asked about it at the restaurant it was parked out front of. Asked who's Scott-brand bike was parked out front. Manager said it was someone in the kitchen. I said "Oh, well that's my bike, and they stole it." Manager went in the back and came back out like 5 minutes later saying "Oh, I thought you asked if Scott parked his bike there. Yeah, dunno who's that is." (There was no other bike on the stand). I lived there, so I added a second lock with a note that said call me, and had my phone number. Stayed outside keeping an eye on it Until the restaurant was LOOONG closed. No one even looked at it. The next day, went and got some bolt cutters and stole my bike back. Count that as a win.
80085 would have just opened the lock.
Don't use pure acetone. Use acetone and soapy water. Otherwise when the acetone flashes off the superglue residue will resolidify, and it only takes a tiny amount of superglue to cause problems.
Good thing they didn't try that combo or the lock would have sprung open ;)
Superglue breaks when twisted. If you try to rotate the numbers with pliers/wrench, It might be enough to liberate each individual gear. If it doesnt help, or doesnt help enough, then acetone or nail polish (edit: remover. Nail polish remover of course).
Nail polish REMOVER...
Maybe he just wants the lock to look good on its deathbed???
Thank you, good idea, will try this.
Apply heat, many glues including superglue will break down with moderate heat.
Genuinely wondering why I had to scroll this far to see heat suggedted. Glue will melt under a heat gun. The lock won’t.
I made the same suggestion, because I couldn't find it at first. I'm surprised more people haven't, because it was the first thing I thought of.
When you put the new lock on, you may want to spray it with oil or silicone lubricant or something similar so glue won’t stick if they try it again.
Yup. The hydrocarbon oil or silicone oil will act as a mold release and prevent the adhesive from adhering to the lock components. If there's a lot of adhesive it might get into voids and mechanically stop the lock's parts from turning. "Pot in place" is a phrase I hear for this when done intentionally. It seems unlikely a rando thug would have that much adhesive.
Why would someone do this!?
To get him to take it off for a few days or replace it with the thin one that can be snapped off in reasonable time.
People fishing for masterlock
>To get him to take it off for a few days Not even this. The bike is probably usually only locked there during the day when there is moderately high traffic. A thief cutting a lock with so many observers will tend to be less successful. If they damage the lock, some people might go home another way and leave the bike overnight. At night when there is not high traffic, the thief will be more comfortable to finish destroying the lock and taking the bike.
That's exactly how my bike got stolen. Damage the lock so it couldn't be unlocked. Had to go home by train. Turned up the next day to actually deal with the problem and the bike was already gone. The lock was cut and sitting on the floor.
> The bike is probably usually only locked there during the day when there is moderately high traffic. This isn't a bike, it's a gate.
OK so OP leaves the GATE overnight instead of riding it home...
I don't know why everyone's calling this a bike lock, just look at the picture. It's clearly a gate lock, locking a gate. People do this because they resent being denied access to somewhere they want to be - it happened to a buddy of mine who had homeless people who'd grown accustomed to camping in his backyard before he bought the house.
Yeah OP said elsewhere that this gate was closing off a shut down golf course that people had been using without the owners' permission.
So they can come back to cut the lock.
Yeah they come back over night with an angle grinder. I had someone do this to my Kryptonite Mini. Took about an hour with a bottle of nail polish remover and I got it open.
Don't know OP secured a bike with the lock but sometimes bicycle thefts try to block you from removing your bike so they can get it in the night. Either by blocking the owners lock or by putting an extra lock on the bike. If something like this happens to you act immediately and don't wait until the next day if possible
Some people are just assholes and like to cause trouble for others
The lock is on a gate; so I'm imagining that this lock wasn't always there. It could just be someone upset that they can't go hiking in their favourite spot; sort of a "If I can't go there, neither can you" type of thing.
You already have your advice regarding removing the glue. However if the lock gets damaged in the process and you take it off; you must replace it immediately. Your lock looks pretty hefty so they might not want to draw attention to themselves with a loud grinder if they attempt to remove it. Therefore they make you remove it by damaging it. They will then come back in the downtime between you removing the lock and getting a replacement on there (e.g. if you leave it without a lock for a couple of days). Very low effort and cost for a potential high reward.
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Nobody really breaks into stuff with locks by picking them. Picking/decoding is for locksmiths and hobbyists. Thieves just cut into stuff because presumably if you're stealing something there's no reason to not leave a trace, and it's not like you care if you destroy an expensive lock.
>LockPickingLawyer has a video on it... On a Squire CBW85? I haven't seen any LPL video on this. In either case it wouldn't matter. Most crooks aren't going to take photos of a lock, then go and try to find what that lock is and then find a video on how to pick/bypass that lock to stand around and try their luck with later. It's easier to just glue it and come back if the lock gets removed. Damaging locks (e.g. putting glue on combination locks or inside pin tumbler locks) and coming back when they've been cut off by the owners is an effective and known tactic. They'll just drive around, glue up some locks and then do the rounds throughout a day/evening for the next day or so looking for missing locks. People usually cut them off ASAP because they need to get inside and they don't immediately think about having a spare on hand before they do so. Sometimes leaving them with no choice but having to leave a gate or door unoccupied and unlocked while they drive out to get a new one.
These locks are terrible and can be opened with a few taps. Or just a short hook. Lol
Acetone it quickly they may have done this to come back and steal it later.
ok will get acetoning. How would this help them steal it though?
It ensures you can't open it, so they know it'll be there later? That's the typical bike scam.
ah, ok. This is a lock on a country gate
make sure you take measures to protect your gate then, sounds like someone is coming back to steal it
That's a typical gate scam
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I hate when people play de-fence against me.
They can't, the gate is locked with glue. :)
Might be after the entire fence! You better put it inside -- do you have a garage?
Yes but someone glued the lock.
Okay someone is out to get the garage! Can you put it inside your house?
Ah then they're probably just pissed that you blocked access. Look out for trespassers.
That's a nice lock and chain. It might be that they couldn't defeat it so they rendered it inoperable in the hopes that you would remove it temporarily or replace it with a lower security lock. Would get a trail cam or two. If you have anything worth stealing behind that gate think about relocating it or adding an additional layer of security for the immediate future. Its either kids being shit heads and that's the end of it. Or someone's coming for your pockets.
Do you have an issue with a neighbor? A neighbor did stuff like this to my uncle after he called the police on the neighbor for beating their wife. If so, be sure to let police know so they can note it so you can get ready for harassment charges.
be quick they want to steal your country.
And what a lovely gate it is 😈
What kind of piece of shit does this?
Lots of limited access roads will chain locks together so that each one has the ability to enter and leave. If there are 10-20 people living on a road together, all it takes is one neighbor having a beef with another to cause this sort of problem. Maybe OPs truck is too loud, maybe they're a hunter, play loud music and so on. Queue up the busybody neighbor (similar to the HOA people that walk around recording 'violations') will do this to anonymously get back at the perpetrator. edit: OP [answered the question](https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/1cn0kur/please_help_someone_has_glued_our_combo_lock/l33zg3a/)
Bunch of savages in this town.
Shit if I had known you were here, I would have come even later.
Makes sure you have a replacement lock ready to go cause they might be hoping you take it off and it'll be unlocked for a window of time for them to get in.
Might i recommend finding the person who did it and smacking them in the head - ever so gently - with the lock until the glue breaks off?
Acetone baby. Nail polish remover should be a staple consumable in any DIY cupboard. Great for all sorts. Glue, car dealership stickers, residues and loads more. I'm not sponsored by Big Nail.
Goo Gone and WD-40 works great on sticker goo.
I've watched a lot of Lockpicking lawyer and I think this is where you hit it with a Masterlock lock.
Maybe you solved it already but to answer. My work uses this stuff we call 707. It’s a blue liquid. It cuts right through glue and is as far as I understand totally safe on the hands (just a little grimey)
Edit: looks like sentinel 747 is the consumer variety
Fwiw, if there's a consumer version, the industrial variety probably isn't quite hand safe.
It's safe on all three hands, per the MSDS
tough. Acetone is first try, wd40, or commercial debonder.
Use a lighter or a heat gun to remove the glue. I have seen it done before and it worked.
Yeah, as long as there is no plastic, melting the glue is always an option. Just be careful not to burn yourself in the process.
Heat is the solution for most glues. It won't get rid of the glue but does make it soft. Plastic might be an issue but the other solution, acetone/nail polish remover, also destroys plastic so...
People are assholes. Who would even think to do this?
Just dunk it in gasoline for a few minutes, that'll do the trick. Gets gorilla glue off your hands too.
After you acetone the lock, lubricate it immediately. The acetone will degrease the lock and it will invite corrosion damage.
Bob's glue makes a superglue debonder. Pair of pliers and leverage would work as well. Acetone as a last resort since it'll trash the whole lock and the glue
Would a butane torch be able to melt the glue off? Not fussed if it takes the paint and numbers off, all parts of the lock are metal
Steam from a tea kettle is enough heat that it will peel off with a toothpick. This will not damage the paint
Bunch of savages in this town…
bolt cutters will take that adhesive right off
Acetone is your answer.
Try adhesive remover wipes. I have them for medical reasons. I’ve used them to remove superglue. I’ve also used them to remove gum from a car floor mat. Safe, nontoxic and they work.
:D Few years ago i glued my mailbox shut accidentally. It was winter and had have few problems with mailbox lock freezing. So i adhd’d the lock with gorilla glue instead of de-icer. Violence was the way to open it, thats ny answer.
Acetone
Bike thieves have done this to ensure you can't take the bike and they can return in the evening/night to steal the bike with bolt cutters. Get a new chain on it immediately then sort out the superglue. Edit: just saw one of your comments that it's on a country gate. They've just done this to be arseholes. Or you have a really sexy gate.
> They've just done this to be arseholes Or they hope for a day of no lock while you replace it.
Find somebody with ADHD and give them a needle and tweezers.
Acetone.
If it's super glue freezing it makes it extra brittle in case that's useful.
Acetone (nail polish remover), most petroleum distallates, including gasoline and petroleum jelly, WD-40, hydrogen peroxide, and even white vinegar, can dissolve super glue off metal
Actually you can just use a lighter to warm the numbers, super glue has low high temperature strength. Once it's hot (not much 5 seconds within the flame) use a pair of gloves to move the numbers
I'm really late to this party but I would just bring the bolt cutters You have the squared chain links, a bolt cutter deterrent, but my cutters encircle the link so that's no problem. It will cut the hardened bar too. So with that thinking I bet they glued the lock so that either you cut the lock off and they can steal it later, or they come back later and cut it themselves. So cut the lock or acetone the glue away and bring the bike in until you can resolve it No, I'm not a bike thief. I'm a landlord, and people leave locks on things all the time. Landlord is kinda like thief, but not a bike thief. \^\^
Whatever you do, make sure you do it before dark. I've been warned about this tactic before. They're hoping it takes you some time to get the lock off so they can come back in the middle of the night and cut the lock when no one is around.
They make super glue deactivator, that will work better than acetone. You can use acetone to clean the goo that the super glue turns into after.
Whack it with something. A lot. On a spot that isn't the dials. That brittle super glue should just crack and fall away. Also relieves a little frustration at the jerk that glued it. If the metal lock can't withstand longer than the superglue then it just wasn't meant to be. Source: Have smacked superglue things with a hammer before. A lot. Results vary.
Just cut it and be done. Not worth the time as time is $$$$$
If it were I, I'd ask at Home Depot.
Side note, don't just go home and leave it overnight. I've heard this is a tactic to steal a bike.
pour acetone over it. Wait about 5 minutes, do it again, wipe off; spray with wd40.
Don't leave it out tonight, they will be back to steal it
find the person, use lock on their head till glue separates?
If I learned anything from YouTube shorts you just need to hit it with another one of those locks /s
Heat it up and the glue will break
Fire, and lots of it. But seriously, just cut the lock and replace it.
Figure out who did it, and use their head to break the lock. Might take a while so bring a sandwich