I need a battery powered tool that can cut metal

[SAWYER]

I found a full size spare tire on a truck in one of those junk yards where you remove the parts yourself. I can not lower it from the truck it is on, it is one of those that mounts under the bed and you turn with a tool to lower it. The people at the junk yard said I could cut it off if I wanted to but I am not sure what tool I should buy for the job.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Battery powered sawzall? Or just a hacksaw and some patience.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Why not see if you can find the tool that would lower it?

 

[NutBucket]

Sawzall is a good choice. Years ago I cut up a Civic shell with one. Angle grinder with a death wheel is also good.

 

[_Rick_]

Why not use a small blow-torch?

 

[Squisher]

I'm not sure a sawzall would get to that and cable can be hardened beyond what a saw can cut besides cable loves to slide around and not let the teeth bite. Also the cable really isn't exposed in that situation. I think I'd first give it a try with a large chisel and hammer to either knock off the the crimp end in the middle of the wheel hanger or force the hanger sideways to let the tire slip off.

A torch would be great, a battery powered grinder would work, but I'd really look around under the hood of that truck or other trucks in the yard for the crank tool.

That whole winch lift might be bolted in such a way that you can get to it but I doubt it.

EDIT: you know you might be able to access the flat blade socket those lifts use with a pipe wrench from underneath.

 

[RLGL]

If the item to be cut is a wire rope, you need a bolt cutter.

 

[SAWYER]

It has to be cut, the tire that is on it is bigger than factory I assume and pushes up the shaft you put the tool in to lower it so it is at an angle that you can get to

 

[Rifter]

https://www.harborfreight.com/portable-torch-kit-with-oxygen-and-acetylene-tanks-65818.html

something like this Is what i use when i need to cut things with a portable tool

 

[pbroussard]

If it's a GM truck/van all it is is a large flat screwdriver tip that goes in the tube. Kinda puzzled here I'm assuming the truck you're getting it off is the same as yours, wouldn't your tool work?

 

[Kaido]

I found a full size spare tire on a truck in one of those junk yards where you remove the parts yourself. I can not lower it from the truck it is on, it is one of those that mounts under the bed and you turn with a tool to lower it. The people at the junk yard said I could cut it off if I wanted to but I am not sure what tool I should buy for the job.

Would an electric nibbler work? Here's a $55 model that can do 20 gauge stainless steel & 18 gauge sheet metal:

https://www.amazon.com/WEN-3650-Variable-Swivel-Electric/dp/B01M5G99E7

14-gauge from a name-brand is a bit more pricey: ($260)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW891-Gauge-Swivel-Shear/dp/B00004RHIY

 

[Squisher]

It has to be cut, the tire that is on it is bigger than factory I assume and pushes up the shaft you put the tool in to lower it so it is at an angle that you can get to

How about pulling the bumper off to access the tube or bend the tube out of the way? You can always grind the flat blade of the crank into a kinda diamond shape like a wobble extension?

 

[Meghan54]

Don't know if you can get a jack into that yard (some don't allow jacks, some do), but cut a piece of 2x4 wide enough to fit in the wheel, let air out of tire, jack up the tire a bit to let the hanger get just slack enough to slip out the wheel's hub hole and drop the tire.

(Use the 2x4 across the wheel to press it upward with a piece of 2x4 or 4x4 between the jack and 2x4 on the wheel.)

 

[Scarpozzi]

Were you able to get the spare tire? I was going to say, google the make/model and see if there are any tricks for removal. Typically, the spare tire kit behind the cab has the tool you need to retrieve the tire. I get it if the threads are rusted, etc...but with brute force and leverage you shouldn't have to do any cutting.

 

[SAWYER]

i havent went back yet