Homemade Hillbilly Security told to me by a mate.

[Nollaig]

A friend in work told me this after i asked why is your lock (one of those D shaped affairs) covered in gaffa tape? I was told if anyone comes with cutters the thick coating of gaffa tape gums ups the blades if thats the right term, dent the steel but not cut if you get my meaning. Anything can be fixed with gaffa tapei think i heard on moonshiners ages ago lol. But its kinda a wee home made hillbilly fix , i kinda liked this.
Any thoughts on this?

 

[SolemnWeasel]

It might work slightly on an angle grinder, but never tried.

 

[ianrauk]

All good If it makes a thief look at someone else's bike rather then yours because it may be a bit more faff.

 

[Nollaig]

I dunno anyone wanting it would need to be arsing about to get through perhaps buggering up their tools, in the meanwhile being observed by others as they try everything to get it off. I think that might be a worthwhile option ok looks crap but its on the lock not the bike. If it was an ankle grinder im only guessing but might the heat of the gaffa tape might gum up the blade So all in all more of a bloody annoyance than needed to steal a bike, so best move on to something else.

 

[Alex321]

I dunno anyone wanting it would need to be arsing about to get through perhaps buggering up their tools, in the meanwhile being observed by others as they try everything to get it off. I think that might be a worthwhile option ok looks crap but its on the lock not the bike. If it was an ankle grinder im only guessing but might the heat of the gaffa tape might gum up the blade So all in all more of a bloody annoyance than needed to steal a bike, so best move on to something else.

I don't think it would affect an angle grinder at all TBH.

The heat generated would just burn off any gum. It might well worlk if the theif was trying to get through it with a hacksaw, but no theif is going to try that with a D-lock.

 

[numbnuts]

If the gaffa tape was quite thick it will smoke alot

 

[Dogtrousers]

If I saw a D lock covered in tape I'd assume it was to protect the frame from being bashed by it.

If it was an ankle grinder im only guessing but might the heat of the gaffa tape might gum up the blade

Who wants to grind their ankles?

 

[Baldy]

I used to use bolt cutters for work, a bit of duct tape will make little difference to the cutters I had.

 

[Nollaig]

Really? im just repeating what i heard this lock is not just a single layer of tape but many almost cushiony if thats a word but you get the drift.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I think there could be something in this. Using an angle grinder does generate heat, but really only at the tip. Once the cut has moved past this, things would start to cool and the extra plastic may well gum up enough to slow the grinder and make it much more difficult.

Anyone have a spare D lock to sacrifice in the interests of furthering knowledge?

 

[Andy in Germany]

We assist the local government every six months collecting abandoned bikes in Tübingen, and the team uses a cordless disc cutter to great effect. I'll ask if they're willing to experiment...

 

[Drago]

I suspect if it were thet easy Abus woukd long ago have started wrapping shackles in cheap gaffa tape instead of more expensive plastic.

 

[classic33]

The tape won't have much effect on a cutting disc. Rush/force the cut and the metal of the lock will retain the heat, causing the tape to curl or draw back slightly from the cut.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I suspect if it were thet easy Abus woukd long ago have started wrapping shackles in cheap gaffa tape instead of more expensive plastic.

Perhaps it's a conspiracy.