I considered that, but my torch is MAP gas, much hotter than a normal propane torch, and because the hair was packed and wrapped really tightly around the wheel spindle, it would have partially burned, partially melted/congealed into an immovable mass.

The hacksaw blade worked well, inserted so that it cut on the backstroke. It was thin enough to get between the spindle support and the wheel, and because the blade insertion was "backwards" it tended to pull the hair out of the wheel enclosure as it cut it.

tanstaafl.