Cable cutter?

[mjac]

I have inherited a few old ladder stands that are cable locked to the trees and the keys are long gone. I want to move/rehab several of them. Most of the of the fabric straps and ratchets are rotted or rusted away. I'll probably use my climber to get up to the cable locks and need something to cut the cable other than struggling with a hack saw.
Any suggestions on something portable that will handle appox 5/16" dia. (coated) cable?

 

[Mike D]

Most small bolt cutters will do fine.

 

[Roost 1]

claw end of a hammer works well....extension ladder would work much better than a climber, just saying.

 

[mjac]

claw end of a hammer works well....

??....please explain.

extension ladder would work much better than a climber, just saying.

Yeah I thought it would but the smallest ext ladder I have is two 18' sections. Too hard to get to the sites with it.

 

[rem270]

Shoot them off with a shotgun. It is a lot safer that way.

I experienced with the cable locks that the inside of the cables tend to rust and don't like to take the key after a few yrs. Had to take down 3 stand this past year with them and never got off the ground.

 

[spoon]

Hacksaw or battery power grinder

 

[bigtex]

battery power grinder

Yep, a grinder works great on steel cables.

 

[mjac]

battery power grinder

Yep, a grinder works great on steel cables.

Sure it would but my problem is I don't have battery powered grinder
I do have an electric grinder, extension cords and a generator I can strap down to a small trailer that I sometimes pull behind my ATV. But I don't want to lug all that stuff out to the woods, not to mention there would be a risk starting a fire with a grinder.

I have bolt cutters, although a very large pair. I'll try them.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[spoon]

How big is the cable? You could have problems cutting larger diameter cable. Also if you are using a power tool to cut, make sure you stay in your original cut. Cause you can and will have little pieces of cable flying everywhere. Been in the cable industry over 30 years and have taken few employees to the hospital

 

[scn]

I bought a cable cutter from Sportsman Guide last year that was less than $25 for the same thing, and they work fine. They are much easier than bolt cutters.

 

[mjac]

Like this one?

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/productl ... ble+cutter

I like ez. Thanks.

 

[scn]

Like this one?

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/productl ... ble+cutter

I like ez. Thanks.

That's the one. I try with the key first, but have those for a quick backup.

 

[flyinpro]

Bolt cutters sometimes will flatten the individual wires of the cables and be a lot of effort. Might work. I think I would use my 18 volt Dewalt saw-saw.

Agree with the above, an extension ladder would be safer with a harness as ya never know how the old stand might come off once the cable is off.