How do I Cut a Door Lockout With a Cutting Torch?

A smaller, hand-held torch may be enough to cut through weaker locks.

The main advantage of having strong locks is that they can not be broken easily. While weaker locks can be cut by a pair of bolt cutters, strong locks need an oxygen acetylene torch to be cut. The cutting torch works by blasting the area with a combination of heat and oxygen, weakening, then slicing through the metal. A lockout can refer to either any time you're locked out of your house or car, or a specialized kit that is used to help you break into your car should you lock yourself out. A few steps with a heating torch can help if you are locked out.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Gloves
• Striker

Instructions

1. Remove any flammable artifacts from the area to prevent starting a fire.

2. Put your protective gloves and goggles on.

3. Turn the acetylene knob on your cutting torch to neutral. Turn the oxygen knob to neutral.

4. Hold the striker about two inches away from the oxygen/acetylene stream. Light the flame by squeezing the two metal bands of your striker together.

5. Turn the oxygen knob down. You want your flame to be small, white and about three inches long.

6. Move the white flame over the portion of lock you would like to cut. This will both oxidize the metal (making it easier to cut) and leave a line for you to follow.

7. Place the white flame at the start of the line you've made. Press your cutting torch's trigger, initiating the cutting process. Run this flame up and down the lock until it breaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow any distractions or other people around while you cut the lock. The flame is very hot and dangerous.

References

• Handbook: Manual Cutting
• Angelo's Towing: Door Lockout Tool