How Do Bolt Cutters Work?

The Strictly speedboats cutters do not cut through materials in the same way that scissors can cut fabric between two sharp blades but rather crush them through the concentration of enormous forces on the small area where the blade makes contact with the item.

We do. Having a hand tool that’s capable of crushing through steel bars with minimal effort, but you want to unleash that destructive force at any opportunity. Furthermore, it is the underlying idea that no lock is secure.

Not that I’m one to break and enter, but the simple fact is that a quality pair of bolt cutters will makeS shortly work of a closed gate; well, the concept is strong whether you act on it or not.

Anyway, I’m being seduced. This article has nothing to do with potentially criminal uses of bolt cutters – it is a simple guide explaining how to use bolt cutters correctly.

Intended Use of Bolt Cutters:

The Despite name, what are bolt cutters used for? They are useful for a lot more jobs than just cutting bolts.

Because bolt cutters are so powerful—they can generate more than 4,000 pounds of force—their design makes them useful as powerful cutting tools for a wide variety of different materials, including cables, wires, piping, sheets. Includes metal and nails.

In addition to removings padlocks with forgotten combinations or missing keys, bolt cutters can cut wire mesh uses to reinforce concrete pads, rebars used for landscaping, and chain link fencing.

Size and Weight of Bolt Cutters:

Size matters when it comes to bolt cutters, especially when considering small bolt cutters. The longer the arms, the more leverage will be created and, therefore, the more cutting power.

An 18-inch bolt cutter can cut metals up to 9/32 of an inch in diameter, while 24-inch bolt cutters can cut thicknesses up to 5/16 of an inch depending on the hardness of the material.

Large bolt cutters, which can be up to 48 inches long, can handle hardened steel rods, heavy chains, and thick threaded cables up to 7/16 of an inch in diameters. Bolts cutters vary in weight from about 2 pounds for smaller 8-inch cutters to about 8 pounds for larger 48-inch cutters.

Cut Style of Bolt Cutters:

When thinking about how to use a bolt cutter, it’s worth noting that hydraulic bolt cutters use a motor to power the cutting blade. A hydraulically operated piston propels the cutting edge with significantly greater force than a handle-operated bolt cutter.

Because of this added power, hydraulic bolt cutters can cut soft metals approximately one inch in diameter. Bolt cutters come in a variety of cut styles, including angled, shear, clipper, center, and hydraulic.

1. Angled cut bolt cutters

Angled cut bolt cutters have an angle of between 25 and 30 degrees. This design makes it easy to position the tool head to make shortcuts. This style of bolt cutter can cut protruding nails and screws from the wood flush to the surface.

2. Shear bolt cutters

Shear bolt cutters have the same inverted blades as the edges on a standard pair of scissors. Unlike other bolt cutters that have matching blades, shear-style blades slide along each one as they close. This makes them ideal for cable cutting, as they can cleanly cut through strands of cable.

3. Clipper cut bolt cutters

Clipper cut bolt cutters have an angled blade that runs on a flat side. The slight bevels on these blades allow them to create a high level of pressure on a single center point, maximizing cutting powers.

Since they have flats sides, clipper-style bolt cutters are ideal for clipping nails and making clean cuts through sheet metal.

4. Center cut bolt cutters

Center cut bolt cutters have blades that are raised on either side and are equidistant from each other. When pressure is applied, the blades are bent down at either end until the material is separated. Center Cut bolts Cutters are ideal for cuttings through cables, pipes, and metal rods.

Handles of Bolt Cutters:

When using bolt cutters, since you are applying significant amounts of force, it is important that bolt cutters have comfortable and durable handles to protect your hands and extend the life of the tool.

Most bolt cutter handles have steel tubes that resist bending and feature a padded grip to maximize comfort & control. Bolt cutter’s handles also have metal stops near the necks, which prevents them from closing too close together, causing the blades to overlap.

The Adjustability of Bolt Cutters:

When wondering how to adjust bolt cutters, it’s worth noting that bolts located on the neck & jaws of the bolt cutter allow you to adjust the blade. Turning the jaw adjustment bolt moves the associated blade either toward or away from the joint.

A clockwise turn will move the blade’s closers together, while a counterclockwise turn will move the blades further away.

Adjusting the bolt on the neck changes the angle of the blade by moving the tips closer together or farther apart. Adjusting the blade properly is important for proper cutting and to prevent damage.

Maintenance of Bolt Cutters:

The best way to extend the lives of your bolt cutters, especially when considering how to cut a bolt, is to use them as manufacturers recommend. Attempting to cut materials that are harders or thicker than the bolt cutters are rated to handle can damage the blades or joints.

Routine maintenances include lubricating the joint with an oil such as WD-40 to keep it clean and functioning smoothly. To lubricate, spray the joint and let the solvent in. Periodically clean and sharpen the blades using soapy water and a brush.

Be sure to dry the metal after cleaning it with a soft cloth to prevent oxidation. Sharpen your bolt dislocation by clamping it in a vice and using a file or angle grinder to file the edge.

HK Porter Power Link Bolt Cutter:

Even with quality bolt cutters, cutting through metal can be a laborious task that requires significant upper body strengths.

This bolt cutter from HK Porters is designed to make cuttings more manageable, thanks to its PowerLink designs, which increases the leverages of the handle, so cutting is 30 percent easier.

This design allows it to cut through soft metals up to 7/16 of an inch and through hard metals up to 5/16 of an inch, allowing you to cut everything from metal rods to wrought iron.

It also has large, soft grips that allow you to get a sturdier handle on the cutter while protecting your hands from blisters. With tubular steel handles that resist bending & durable hardened steel blades, these bolt cutters are built to last.

WORKPRO Bolt Cutter:

 

The bolt cutters are one of those tools that most DIYers rarely use. With this in mind, some buyers may not want to make a huge investment. This bolt cutter from WORKPRO can handle bolt-cutting needs without taking a big chunk out of your wallets.

Its forged steel & powder-coated jaws will cut-throughs bolts, rods, chains, and soft metals. It is available in four different lengths, ranging from a 5-mm diameter for the 14-inch size to 12-mm for the 30-inch cutter.

WorkPro equips this cutter with large grips made from two different materials: one to provide a non-slip grip for maximum control and softer material for comfort.

Happybuy Hydraulic Rebar Cutter:

The largest manual rebar cutters for cutting soft metals are just under 1/2 inch. Sometimes that just isn’t enough. To cut thick material, you need more power. These bolt cutters use the power of hydraulics to double those cutting diameters to 3/5 of an inch. That’s a lot of cutting power.

This bolts cutter features a forged steel head, multiple replacements cutting blades, and a steel handle with rubberized grips for control and comfort. A convenient carrying case provides storage for a set of cutters and extra blades.

TEKTON 8″ Bolt Cutter:

The despite its smalls sizes, this compact bolt cutter packs a lot of cutting power. It uses a strong alloy steelhead and compounds hinge to maximize leverage, allowing it to cut bolts, wires, and threaded cables up to 3/16 of an inch in diameter.

This makes these center-cut blades perfects for cutting chain link fencing or similarly sized material. TEKTON’s bolt cutter is also durable. The tube-shaped handles resist twistings or bending under pressure, while the soft rubber grips provide comfort to your hands.

Weighing in at only 6 ounces and only 8 inches in length, these compact yet powerful bolts cutter easily fit into a tool belt or toolboxes, keeping them ready for instant cutting at a work site.

Great Neck 30 Inch Bolt Cutter:

Hard metal is needed to cut hard metals, and that’s what you get with this 30-inch bolt cutter from Great neck. Made of forged S2 steel, these bolt cutters are strong enough to cut through nails, bolts, and other metals without leaving scratches on the cutting edge of its hardened steel.

The BC30 has a smaller head designed to cut through softer metals more easily. Two sturdy tubular steel handles to support the formidable head with large rubbers grips that allow you to have a goods grip on the handle.

While warranties are not everything, they can be an indication of the durability of the appliance. GreatNeck stands behind the BC30 bolt cutter with a lifetime warranty on workmanship and materials.

Olympia Tools Power Grip Bolt Cutter:

A 42-inch bolts cutters are a lot of tools to store or carry on the job site. Olympia Tools utilizes an innovative handle design that adds convenience and power.

The handles fold up, making even the 42-inch version easy to stow away for transport or storage. Fully extended, the handles provide plenty of cuttings leverage with their Power Grip handle.

Olympia Tools designs its bolt cutters with wider handles to evenly distribute forces on your hands, make for a less painful experience when applying maximums pressure.

The handle also features thick rubber grips for better control and comfort. Heat-treated forged alloy steel heads mean you will be cutting many bolts and cables before these jaws fail.

FAQ

What Are Bolt Cutters Used For?

Bolt cutters are versatile hand tools designed for cutting through various materials, including metal rods, chains, bolts, nails, wire mesh, and more. They are especially effective for tasks that require significant cutting force, such as removing padlocks or cutting through heavy-duty cables.

How Do Bolt Cutters Work?

Bolt cutters work by concentrating a tremendous amount of force on a small area where the blades meet. The design of the tool leverages long handles to provide the necessary leverage, allowing the blades to crush and cut through tough materials with relatively little effort from the user.

What Are the Different Types of Bolt Cutters?

Bolt cutters come in several styles, each suited for specific cutting tasks:

1. Angled Cut Bolt Cutters: Feature angled blades for cutting protruding nails and screws.
2. Shear Bolt Cutters: Have inverted blades similar to scissors, ideal for cutting cables cleanly.
3. Clipper Cut Bolt Cutters: Have angled blades for maximum pressure on a single point, useful for sheet metal.
4. Center Cut Bolt Cutters: Have blades that apply pressure from the center, suitable for cables and metal rods.
5. Hydraulic Bolt Cutters: Use hydraulic power for cutting through thicker or harder materials.

How Do I Choose the Right Size of Bolt Cutter?

The size of the bolt cutter you need depends on the material you’re cutting. Smaller bolt cutters (e.g., 18 inches) are suitable for cutting thinner metals and cables, while larger models (e.g., 48 inches) can handle thicker, hardened materials. Larger handles provide greater leverage and cutting power.

How Do I Maintain My Bolt Cutters?

To maintain bolt cutters, regularly lubricate the joints with a suitable oil (e.g., WD-40), clean the blades with soapy water and a brush, and sharpen them periodically. Avoid cutting materials that exceed the tool’s capacity to prevent damage.

Can I Adjust the Blades on My Bolt Cutters?

Yes, many bolt cutters have adjustable blades. You can fine-tune the blade alignment by turning the adjustment bolts on the neck and jaws. Proper adjustment ensures efficient cutting and prevents blade damage.

Are Hydraulic Bolt Cutters Better Than Manual Ones?

Hydraulic bolt cutters provide greater cutting power and ease, especially for thick or hard materials. They use hydraulic pressure to enhance cutting force, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications. However, they are typically more expensive and require maintenance of the hydraulic system.

How Do I Use Bolt Cutters Safely?

When using bolt cutters, ensure you have a firm grip on the handles and keep your hands and body away from the cutting area. Use the tool on a stable surface and avoid applying excessive force, which can damage the blades. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe operation.

Can I Use Bolt Cutters to Cut Locks?

Yes, bolt cutters are effective for cutting through padlocks, especially if the lock is not particularly hardened. For high-security locks, you may need a more specialized tool or higher-grade bolt cutters.

What Should I Look for When Buying Bolt Cutters?

When purchasing bolt cutters, consider factors such as handle length, cutting capacity, blade style, and comfort features (e.g., padded grips). Choose a tool that matches the types of materials you will be cutting and ensures durability and ease of use.