How hard is it to cut a Kensington security cable?

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kiwifidget

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#319793 3-Jun-2025 08:48

I have a couple of items secured with ye olde trusty Kensington security cables.

The type that have the 4 number barrel lock.

You can probably tell where this is going already.

I have lost the numbers.

In the next month or two I will need to replace the secured items with new ones, and will need to detach them from the cable.

Has anyone here had to cut a cable, and what equipment was necessary to do the task?

Normal wire cutters or more heavy duty bolt cutters, or something even more industrial?

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TEAMnetwork

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#3380046 3-Jun-2025 08:53

I lost the pin to my bike lock when it was 14 years old, took me 6 hours and two pairs of wire cutters to get through it

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nitro

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#3380047 3-Jun-2025 08:55

i'm interested in hearing from someone who has done this. right now, i'm thinking, it can deter the opportunisitic dude who wants to swipe something that's on display at a shop, etc. those who break into homes/offices would likely be better armed... bigger boltcutters, perhaps?

with today's cordless grinders, i have doubts.

networkn

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#3380048 3-Jun-2025 08:58

As @nitro alluded to, it's straight forward to get through one with the right tools, but it would prevent those who were just looking for a snatch and run or even mildly determined. Someone who was expecting it, may come better prepared and get through it in a minute. Those tools are somewhat bulky though, kinda conspicious.

Ge0rge

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#3380050 3-Jun-2025 09:10

If you've got the time, the patience and want to reuse the locks, 0000, 0001, 0002...

If you're not phased about replacing the locks, then get a battery powered disc grinder with a cutting/slitting disc on it. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection, get someone to hold the cable securely for you, and away you go. There is virtually nothing that they won't eat, stranded security cable included.

richms

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#3380057 3-Jun-2025 09:47

Ge0rge:

If you've got the time, the patience and want to reuse the locks, 0000, 0001, 0002...

If you're not phased about replacing the locks, then get a battery powered disc grinder with a cutting/slitting disc on it. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection, get someone to hold the cable securely for you, and away you go. There is virtually nothing that they won't eat, stranded security cable included.

They spray metal particles and bits of the abrasive everywhere and you don't want that going into the rest of your gear.

Chances are like most combination locks there is a simple bypass with the right shaped thing beside one of number wheels. Look at things from the lockpicking lawyer to see how easy most of them are to defeat.

Richard rich.ms

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#3380058 3-Jun-2025 09:49

Photo?

Good bolt cutters go through most things easily if you can get the jaws around them.

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kiwifidget

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#3380114 3-Jun-2025 10:41

The cables were only ever intended to deter the light-fingered, not the hard-core criminals of Geekzone! 😀

Himself has some old fencing tools from days gone by, including some larger than average wire-cutters, so will give those a go.

In November, if I havent found the codes by then.

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#3380120 3-Jun-2025 11:02

Hire some bolt cutters, or grab a short-blade hack saw.

I had to do this for a group with 3 laptops before they could move premises.

josephhinvest

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#3380137 3-Jun-2025 11:44

Surely it won't take too long to cycle through the combinations? I've always felt that locks like these are only a deterrent - I reckon you could open them during a good podcast episode or similar.

Rickles

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#3380141 3-Jun-2025 12:15

10,000 combinations if 4 tumblers 😁😁

Gordy7

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#3380157 3-Jun-2025 12:51

Without a photo it is hard to say how easy it would be to find the combination of a barrel lock.

If you are patient and you are dexterous it may be possible to feel the play in each rotor as they are rotated and using a bit of tension on the lock.

With any luck the combination may be found in 10 x 4 tries. But then again maybe more tries 😃

This is based on my successful experience finding the combination on 1 10x4 barrel lock only...

Gordy

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