Figured out an easy way to break any cable seal.

I had a three stop load with 1/4 inch cable seals the other day. Tried a new way to break the seals, and it worked quite nicely.

Two tools needed. First, a small bolt cutter, second a rubber mallet.

Use small bolt cutter on cable seal, and partially cut it. After trying to cut it 3 times or so, you should have cut more than half the strands, and damaged quite a few more.

Close the bolt cutter jaws on the cable, in the damaged section, then slap it good with the rubber mallet. The rest of the cable strands pop easy with a firm blow.

I'm still on the lookout for a wire rope cutting tool, because I do like having the right tool for the job, but the bolt cutter and mallet work very nicely.

 

Yes. Wire rope cutters. I want a set, but for some freak reason they are hard to find in stores. I'll probably be forced to break down and buy a pair online, and hope they aren't trash.

 

I've heard that mentioned a couple times, but I have never seen this type of vice grip. Time to Google!

 

I checked the jaw bolts recently, they were tight. The problem is wear and tear on the blades I think. After a couple dozen cables and bolt-type seals, the blades have some wear.

The cutter and mallet works very nicely for me. No need to buy a new bolt cutter now, since it still works fine for bolts.

 

Map gas?

Is that a regional truck stop name, or something?