The uses for bolt cutters are numerous, as they are powerful tools. Many professionals and do-it-yourselfers consider them an indispensable tool, as they may be used for everything from cutting thick chains to picking locks.
In this article, we will discuss the uses of bolt cutters and the various jobs that call for them. Knowing how to use this item to its full potential will make your work easier whether you’re a locksmith, mechanic, or just someone who enjoys doing repairs and renovations. Let’s dig in and find out how to bolt cutters can be used!
Bolt Cutter: What Is It?
A bolt cutter is a hand-held tool that can cut through metal objects like bolts, chains, padlocks, wire mesh, and cables. It has two long handles, a pivot point, and a head that cuts things. Most of the time, the handles are made of steel and covered with rubber or plastic to make them easy to hold. The fulcrum is in the middle of the handles and makes it easier to cut through hard materials.
The cutting head is at the end of the handles. It has two sharp jaws that come together to cut through the material. There are a lot of different sizes and styles of bolt cutters, from small ones that you can hold in your hand to heavy-duty industrial ones that can easily cut through thick metal objects.
What Is The Function Of Bolt Cutters?
Bolt cutters are designed to slice through a wide range of metals, including bolts, chains, padlocks, wire mesh, and cables. They offer a severe slicing capability that can quickly cut through solid objects. Locksmiths, electricians, plumbers, and mechanics all utilise bolt cutters regularly to disassemble and reassemble metal parts.
Also, they are useful for home improvement tasks like slicing through metal rods and wires. In times of crisis, bolt cutters can be used to open locked metal doors or gates, allowing rescuers access to a trapped person. In sum, bolt cutters are an extremely useful instrument that may be put to use in a broad variety of contexts.
To cut through thick metal items, bolt cutters are frequently employed when other cutting tools are inadequate. The cutting blades of a bolt cutter may be actuated with a great deal of force with relatively little effort on the part of the operator thanks to the tool’s robust jaws, which are engineered to maximise leverage.
The hardened steel used to make the blades make short work of any number of metals, including ones that are notoriously difficult to cut.
As a bonus, bolt cutters can be used to snip through anything that would otherwise be inconvenient to remove. Working with chains or cables, for instance, can be difficult if the material must be cut in a confined or otherwise inaccessible area, particularly if a standard saw or cutter is to be used. Bolt cutters are compact and effective tools for slicing through such obstacles in confined locations.
Bolt cutters have multiple uses beyond only cutting, including as a prying instrument. Bolt cutters’ long handles let the operator exert more force, which facilitates opening stubborn doors, windows, and crates.
The primary purpose of bolt cutters is to supply a substantial amount of cutting force for a wide range of metal cutting tasks. They are an indispensable addition to any toolkit because of their wide range of applications and widespread use by professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike.
Bolt Cutters Work
So, how do bolt cutters work? Bolt cutters are designed to quickly and efficiently cut through metal. The device includes a cutting head, fulcrum, and two long handles. Squeezing the handles together transmits a greater force to the cutting head, which in turn brings the two cutting jaws together.
The user places the object to be cut between the bolt cutter’s jaws. As a general rule, the jaws should be positioned as centrally as possible to the object being cut. Squeezing the bolt cutters’ handles together closes the cutting jaws, allowing them to slice through the target. The amount of force required to cut through an object depends on its thickness and the hardness of the material.
If you need to cut bolts, make sure you get the right-sized bolt cutters. Industrial-strength bolt cutters can slice through hefty metal objects like bolts, chains, and padlocks, while smaller bolt cutters are better suited for cutting thinner wires and cables. To prevent harm from flying debris, it is also vital to use protective gear such as gloves and goggles when using bolt cutters.
To sum up, bolt cutters use a severe cutting force to quickly and cleanly cut through metal. They are a vital part of any toolkit due to their vast range of applications and the ease with which they can slice through a variety of materials, utilised by both experts and do-it-yourselfers.
Different Types Of Bolt Cutters
There are different types of bolt cutters designed for specific applications. Here are some of the common types of bolt cutters:
Standard Bolt Cutters
These are the most common type of bolt cutters and are designed for general-purpose cutting of various types of metals. They come in different sizes and can cut through bolts, chains, padlocks, wire mesh, and cables.
Power Bolt Cutters
These are larger and more powerful than standard bolt cutters and are typically used in industrial applications to cut through thick and tough metals. They use hydraulic or pneumatic power to increase the cutting force, making them ideal for heavy-duty cutting tasks.
Mini Bolt Cutters
These are small and compact bolt cutters that are ideal for cutting thin wires and cables, as well as for use in tight spaces where larger bolt cutters cannot fit.
Center Cut Bolt Cutters
These are specialized bolt cutters designed to cut through chains and bolts from the centre of the object, rather than from the side. This makes them useful for removing padlocks or cutting chains that are difficult to access.
Wire Cutters
While not technically bolt cutters, wire cutters are a type of cutting tool that is designed specifically for cutting thin wires and cables. They are smaller and more precise than standard bolt cutters and are ideal for electronics or jewellery-making applications.
Depending on the job at hand, you’ll need to select the appropriate bolt cutter. Before deciding on a bolt cutter, think about the size and hardness of the object you need to cut, as well as the space you have to work with.
Conclusion
Cutting tools like bolt cutters are indispensable in many fields. Bolts, chains, padlocks, wire mesh, and cables are just some of the heavy and hard metals they are meant to slice through. Standard bolt cutters, power bolt cutters, small bolt cutters, centre cut bolt cutters, and wire cutters are just a few examples of the many kinds of bolt cutters on the market.
Thinking about the job at hand, as well as the size and hardness of the object being cut, can help you decide on the best bolt cutter to use. Using gloves and eye protection is also a good idea when working with bolt cutters to prevent harm from splinters and other bits of metal that may fly off.
