Originally Posted by
Captain Blight
Heat the link you want to cut with a propane torch until it is glowing BRIGHT red. Let it cool on its own; this anneals the steel, makes it softer, so you can get through it with a hacksaw blade. If it's at all sharp, it should take you about 20 strokes.
No offense, but how long would that take? Steel doesn't start glowing until it's over 2000F, and all the stuff that propane-air torches are used for is around 1000F or less. ?:|
The lock shackle is probably hardened at least somewhat but the chain would probably cut with a hacksaw anyway, since it's very likely cheap chain.
I would say, go to the nearest cheap tool store like Harbor Freight, and check which is cheaper: bolt cutters or an angle grinder w/cutoff disks....
The angle grinder is the better long-term tool purchase, since you can easily cut pretty thick metals with it. Making cuts in steel that is 1/2 to 3/4-inches thick or more is no problem, it just takes a while and a few cutoff disks--but the disks only cost a couple bucks each.