How to use bolt cutters. Bolt cutters aren’t the tools we think of when it comes to cutting various materials and their uses vary. The important thing to remember when using a pair of bolt cutters is not just safely but figuring out for yourself which kinds are best suited to the material you need to use them on.
Bolt Cutters generally come in two types, which are bypass and anvil. When using a pair of bolt cutters it’s better if they’re properly adjusted and once again safety should be your number 1 priority in order to avoid injury as this is one of those tools you definitely want to keep out of your children’s reach.
How to use bolt cutters
To use bolt cutters, first ensure that oil is nearby in case it’s necessary. Ensure the gap among the jaws remains even otherwise you might struggle to get a firm grip on your material. Choose a cutting point.
Position your material where the jaws will come down upon them completely and move them back and forth until they break apart, alternately in both directions if there are multiple gaps/spaces of varying widths between the jaws coat your bolts with oil beforehand.
Joints should be oiled if needed
Keeping bolt cutters clean, neat, and optimally charged is an important task not many of us take into account. We often just try to put them away, but they can really dirty up and rust over time if we aren’t conscientious about keeping them clean.
One thing you have to make sure you are doing on a frequent basis is putting a little bit of lubricant oil in all of the hinges individually at least once every couple of months so they will still open very nicely when it comes down to the moment you actually need to use them (and apply a few drops before each use as well).”
Make sure jaw gaps are even
If you find it difficult to make a clean cut through a material with your bolt cutters, then try and adjust the blades so that they come as close together as possible (warmer).
To do this, remove the bolt at the top of the neck of the bolt cutters. Use this sleight of hand trick to align the handles of your bolt cutters in order to have an even warmer experience next time you attempt to slice something up.
Cutting point selection
If you can get a good grip on the metal with the jaws, look for hard and even surfaces. Using end-cut pliers may be necessary for reaching into small spaces if you can’t reach them this way.
Material position at jaw base
Position the bolt cutter jaws over the material as much as possible in order to make them as effective as they can be at cutting it.
Try to keep the bolt cutter jaws near to where the hinges are for maximum force and also to help prevent anything being produced from slipping through and getting lost.
Brace the cutter arm if necessary
When trying to cut down a piece of metal and getting frustrated with not having enough grasp, brace one arm of the cutter on the surface you are working on by placing it in between your other arm and your body.
This will free both of your hands-normally used to squeeze together so now they can push down on the other arm to ensure you have complete control over whatever it is that you’re trying to do.
Blades closed
Close the blades on your cutter by pressing down on the handles. Use a slow and steady motion so that the materials being cut don’t slip out while the tool is in use.
The temptation may arise to twist and turn certain parts of the cutter in order to hasten its cutting ability, but stop yourself if you apply too much pressure as this could end up damaging vital areas associated with its functionality.
Put pressure on
As you increase the pressure on top of the cutting spot, force the bolt cutter handles together until the cutting spot yields.
If the item is relatively soft, it should yield quickly. It may only be possible to dent it initially, and you will have to use more force to cut it completely.
How to use a Bolt Cutter (Basics) to cut a Padlock & Bolts
Related Guides