Bolt cutters are essential in every toolbox, with their uses ranging from camping trips to demolition jobs to everyday fixes around the home and garage.
However, many people don’t know the different types of bolt cutters or how they differ.
Bolt cutters are often used to release metal chains and cuffs. They can also be useful if you need to trim metal wires or pipes and secure your bike with a padlock.
So, which bolt cutters should you use? What are the differences between these tools, and how do you know which is right for the job?
This article will review the different types of bolt cutters available and their uses so you can choose wisely when buying them online.
Keep reading to learn more about this handy tool.
What Is a Bolt Cutter?
A bolt cutter is typically used to cut through metal bolts or fasteners. These tools can be found in hardware stores and are often used for cutting chains.
Bolt cutters are often seen in action during movies when the protagonist has been locked out of their car or house, which they then break into with bolt cutters.
Different Types of Bolt Cutters
1. Hydraulic Bolt Cutter
The hydraulic bolt cutter is a cutting tool that uses pressure to cut bolts.
The hydraulic process is as follows: air from the compressor enters the cylinder, reducing pressure and causing it to contract.
When the air becomes pressurized again, it forces the two blades together, crushing and breaking off the bolt heads.
Hydraulic bolt cutters are often preferred over electric ones. This is because they are more efficient in processing larger pieces of metal, such as steel beams or pipes.
However, their bulky size and weight can be more difficult to use.
An alternative type of hydraulic bolt cutter is called a cold-cut cutter, which allows faster processing than standard ones.
2. Ratchet Bolt Cutter
This type of bolt cutter design allows the blades to move in a circular motion.
This is supposed to make it easier to cut bolts that have been tightened down more than others without damaging the bolt heads.
However, some people find these ratcheting models ineffective at this job. This is because they must turn too often before any cutting action occurs.
3. End Cut
The end cut is among the different types of bolt cutters that are used to cut through bolts. This tool can be especially useful in situations.
Such as when the bolt needs to be broken off or the bolt head is too large to fit into a regular bolt cutter.
So, to use this tool, place the cutting blades on either side of the head of the bolt and squeeze them down with your hands.
It’s important not to apply too much pressure. It risks bending or breaking the blades.
4. Shear Cut
The jaws are made from either high-carbon steel or tungsten carbide.
This is among the different types of bolt cutters often used to cut through cables, wire mesh, and pipes painted with a non-flammable coating.
It also works well for cutting apart some types of concrete slabs as long as the slab is not more than six inches thick.
Shear bolts can be removed by using bolt cutters specifically designed for shear bolts
5. Angled Bolt Cutter
The cutting blades are usually made of tempered steel, which helps them stay sharp for a long time.
The head of the bolt cutters is angled and designed to fit into tight spaces where other types of bolt cutters may not work as well.
Electricians or plumbers most commonly use them in their line of work. This is to access pipes or cables fixed with metal clamps easily.
6. Straight Bolt Cutter
As the name suggests, these have straight blades that meet at a single point. It can be rotated for leverage when cutting through tough bolts or locks.
They come in many lengths, but all work best when held perpendicular to the cut material.
Then, there’s maximum contact between the blade and what it’s trying to slice through.
7. Clipper Bolt Cutter
Clipper-cut bolt cutters work by using a shearing type of action. This means the shearer is driven along the bolt, cutting through it, leaving a cleanly clipped end.
Clipper bolt cutters are designed to clip bolts at an angle. This makes them useful for tight spaces or situations where a straight cut won’t work.
Precision is key to getting a nice clean cut with this type of clippers. A good way to tell if your clippers are sharp enough is to see if they leave clean edges on the paper – if not, it’s time to sharpen up!
8. Offset Jaw Bolt Cutter
An offset jaw bolt cutter is also among the excellent types of bolt cutters to use when cutting deeply embedded bolts or in hard-to-reach locations.
This type of bolt cutter is also great for cutting soft metals like aluminum, copper, and brass.
The blades are set at a 45-degree angle from the handle to get more leverage than with a standard bolt cutter.
This means that it will take less effort on your part to cut through bolts that are deeply embedded or in hard-to-reach areas.
9. Claw Bolt Cutter
Claw Bolt Cutters are the most common of the different bolt cutters. Their two jaws or blades easily identify them with serrated edges on them.
The serrated edges grip onto the bolt and once squeezed together. They’ll cut through it cleanly.
Claw bolt cutters are typically less expensive than other different types of bolt cutters.
This is because fewer moving parts could break down over time. Some people use claw bolt cutters for more heavy-duty jobs, like cutting electrical wire or chains.
Regular bolts are not recommended because of the potential to damage the blades in a way that makes them unusable.
10. Centre Cut Bolt Cutter
These are the most common types of bolt cutters. They are typically used to cut chains, locks, bolts, or other metal parts.
Usually, center-cut bolt cutters can also be used to cut through wood.
Center-cut bolt cutters come in two different types—single-action and double-action.
Single-action bolt cutters have a single cutting blade that moves back and forth straight.
Double-action bolt cutters have two blades that move back and forth on a track, with one blade moving in a vertical direction while the other is horizontal.
Center-cut bolt cutters are great for jobs requiring precision. This is because they give you more control over where the cutting-edge meets the material being worked on.
Uses of Bolt Cutters
Here are the uses of bolt cutters:
- Bolt cutters can be used to make steel or iron fences, railings, posts, gates, stair rails, and more.
- Bolt cutters can be used to remove seized nuts from equipment.
- Bolt cutters can be used for removing broken bolts on lawnmowers.
- Bolt cutters are also useful for cutting through padlocks or chains that have rusted shut.
- In cases where pipes have become stuck in the ground due to dirt building up around them over time, a set of bolt cutters can help remove the obstruction. Seawater can flow through them again.
- When there is an extreme weather event such as flooding, a pair of bolt cutters can be used. It can be to rip open sealed containers to get food items out.
- A good pair of bolt cutters can also be helpful when you need to trim trees with large branches.
Maintenance of Bolt Cutters
When it comes to the different types of bolt cutters, you need to know about a variety of differences.
For example, you can use an angle head bolt cutter to cut bolts in tight spaces.
Or, if you need to cut through metal with high carbon content, then make sure that your bolt cutter has a metal cutting blade attached.
Since the blades of these tools are extremely sharp, it is important that they be kept properly maintained. This is so that they do not rust or chip away over time.
Also, if your tool needs to be honed or sharpened due to regular wear and tear, take it in for professional use.
Professional maintenance from someone who knows how to handle such equipment.
Size and Weight of Bolt Cutters
You need to find bolt cutters that are the right size for your needs. Bolt cutters range in size from 3 inches to 18 inches, with most being 12 inches.
Size is an important factor because smaller bolt cutters won’t be able to get through larger bolts or bolts that are stuck together tightly.
It will also take longer to use smaller bolt cutters. This can be important if you’re in a hurry or have a lot of work to do.
In addition, larger bolt cutters may not be able to fit into certain tight spaces, but they’re great for getting through large bolts more quickly.
One thing you should consider is whether or not you’ll need bolt cutters on the go.
If you’re looking for a small bolt cutter out of the different types of bolt cutters to keep in your car, toolbox, or garage, it’s best to go with one that’s light and has a protective handle.
These different types of bolt cutters often come with wire cutters and other tools like screwdrivers.
Also, they cost less than $100 and are perfect for everyday tasks around the house.
If you need something stronger than heavier duty, metal framed bolt cutters might better suit your goal.
For example, these bolt cutters can sometimes break metal locks off cars. This is when their locks break unexpectedly due to wear and tear over time.
Conclusion
Bolt cutters are used by both professionals and homeowners alike to break through bolts and chains quickly.
This makes them an important piece of equipment that must be maintained well.
If your bolt cutter malfunctions or breaks down, it’s important to take good care of it to repair it when necessary.
Otherwise, you may be stuck without the right tools when working on something critical.
Follow these tips above to learn the different types of bolt cutters and how to get the most out of your bolt cutters. Also, while taking good care of them at the same time.
