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Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

A Milwaukie High School grad has developed a device that safeguards a vehicle’s catalytic converter

By Anthony Roberts

The Clackamas Review, Jul 8, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (9 Reader comments)

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When he found out there wasn’t he invented something. After about two years of research and trial-and-error, Hutchinson has developed the Catcuff, a simple device that uses common parts to lock a catalytic converter to a vehicle’s frame.

Hutchinson — who graduated from Milwaukie High School and has a mechanical engineering degree from Oregon State University — first thought he would develop a custom device. He ran into huge cost issues associated with developing molds for parts. In addition to placing an insurmountable burden on his self-funded project, that also would have driven the price of the device up, and Hutchinson wanted something simple and inexpensive.

“I started doing a lot of Internet research and talking to machinists that I know,” he said, and eventually came up with the Catcuff. It uses aircraft cable, a fairly common but tightly wound stainless steel coil; U-shaped brackets that are commonly used to mount street signs; and cone-shaped bolts, the heads of which shear off when they’re tightened to the proper tension so that thieves can’t remove them with common tools. The parts were specially selected to withstand the high heat generated by the catalytic converter — they can reach almost 1,000 degrees Farenheit — and they’ve withstood assaults by bolt cutters, hacksaws and other common blades used by thieves. Hutchinson is convinced that a thief isn’t getting one off without a blowtorch.

Hutchinson said he’s only found one other device designed to protect a catalytic converter, and it’s a large, custom-made piece that costs hundreds of dollars — the Catcuff is $49.95 online at www.catcuff.com.

He believes his simple device can be equally effective for much less, and can be installed fairly easily with a socket wrench and a pair of pliers. He has a patent pending on the Catcuff, and just last week, reached an agreement with local Meinecke shops to sell the Catcuff at their stores. In the meantime, he’s already been distributing them across the country via his Web site, www.catcuff.com.

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Reader comments

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

They need to put handcuffs on the scrapper theives.

"Greg"

(email verified)

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

I personally know Joe Hutchinson and I can tell you that Joey didn't invent the CATCUFF just to make money.His main objective was to help put a stop to the incredible financial burden that some people are suffering because of these scrap thieves.The CATCUFF is an affordable deterant

F T Mason

Portland

"fred mason"

(email verified)

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

How cruel, to deprive tweakers of their inherent right to income. Where's Tom Potter when we need him to fight for the oppressed little guy?

""

(email verified)

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 02:53 PM

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

Can't a person just spot weld razor blades onto the converter and hope some loser comes along and tries to take it?

"CN"

(email verified)

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 06:26 PM

Bravo Joe

The best solutions to society's problems are those developed by the common man.

Way to go!

"Notorious Kelly"

(email verified)

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 09:42 PM

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

The metal shop owners who accept stolen property like converters should be fined, shut down and thrown in jail along with the thieves.

How many normal people take a new c-converter into a metal shop for Cash?

exactly.

"phil"

(email verified)

Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 05:29 PM

Re: Great Idea

This is a great idea. Locking the converter to the frame with Stainless Steel Aircraft Cable. Wow, very innovative.

Simple and equally effective for much less???? kinda like the really thin toilet paper we had to use in elementary school that your fingers slipped through if you didn't use enough.

Anyone can build a cheaper moustrap.

"CatClamp"

(email verified)

Sat, Jul 12, 2008 at 11:54 AM

Re: Putting the ‘cuff’ on metal thieves

I just got my catcuff, i feel like i got ripped off, its just some cable. I really dont think this is going to work. Im not sure but i might look into the catclamp as that one looks to be a little more secure... Ill repost my decision.