Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Cordless Bolt Cutters (Tool Only)

Product Information

These tools work by pulling the rope into the jaws and trapping it. This makes a clean cut and results in no fanning. They are ideal for shearing wire rope. A popular tool that is praised for its smart design and reliable performance, we highly recommend the Knipex Tools bolt cutter for your toolbox. We tested these bolt cutters on baling wire, cattle panels, and 3/16-inch all thread. It was easy to cut through the wire and panels, but we had to apply more force to sever the all thread (though not as much as with other 18-inch models we tested). We attribute the increased cutting power to the cutter’s hinge technology, which H.K. Porter calls “PowerPivot.” Bring on the muscle! The Pittsburgh 36-inch bolt cutters were the longest model we tested, and the extra length added up to extra leverage.

Hydraulic bolt cutters use a motor to power the cutting blades. A hydraulically powered piston drives the cutting edge forward with significantly more force than handle-operated bolt cutters can produce. Due to this additional power, hydraulic bolt cutters can cut soft metals nearly an inch in diameter. For a comfortable grip, the strong rolled steel handles have soft cushioned non-slip rubber grips and the handles will not twist or give under load. Finding your cutter is so easy in your toolbox as the handle has a bright red color. Small bolt cutters that measure 8, 10-inch, 12-inch, or 14-inches in length are primarily designed to cut through thinner chains and prise off bolts that have a soft to medium hardness. These types of bolt cutters, such as the superb Knipex Tools Bolt Cutters, are also very popular as they are strong, fit in tight, confined spots, and provide on-the-go portability. – Medium Sized Bolt Cutters Shear bolt cutters have slightly different blades. Unlike other bolt cutters where the sharp edges of the blades meet, shear-type cutters feature bypass blades—a popular configuration often found in pruning loppers. When the user applies pressure to the handles, the top jaw blade slides past the lower blade. This creates a slicing effect that is better suited to cutting softer cables than solid bolts. To help you find the best bolt cutter for your projects, consider these very important features. Size

What can they cut?

Since users must apply a significant amount of force when using bolt cutters, the bolt cutters must have comfortable and durable handles to protect users’ hands and extend the tool’s life. Most bolt cutter handles consist of steel tubes that resist bending and feature padded grips to maximize comfort and control. Center-cut bolt cutters feature blades that are beveled on both sides and are evenly spaced from each other. This is the most common type of jaw configuration and the only type we tested other than the powered all thread bolt cutter. When pressure is applied, the blades bear down on either end until they separate the material. Center-cut bolt cutters are ideal for cutting through cables, pipes, and metal rods. Even with a quality bolt cutter, cutting through metal can be an uphill task requiring significant upper-body strength. This bolt cutter from H.K. Porter makes cutting more manageable thanks to its double-compound hinge design, which increases the handle’s leverage. Powers through stainless steel, spring wire, heat-treated rod, reinforcing rod, steel cable, and bolts The cutters come with nonslip grips, though we felt they could use a bit more cushioning. And there is a downside to all that powerful length: The longer bolt cutters are, the more challenging it is to control the jaws accurately. This pair’s extra length and weight make the jaws unwieldy, especially when reaching overhead. Still, extended cutters mean more cutting power, so it’s a trade-off depending on the user’s preferences.

With so many brands and sizes of bolt cutters available, figuring out which is the right tool for the job can be confusing. Learn what to look for when choosing a pair of bolt cutters and discover how the following models earned a spot on this lineup of the best bolt cutters. The jaws and the blade edge of the cutter need to be made from strong, durable, and exceptionally hard steel so that the tool can deliver the serious cutting power you need. Angled-cut bolt cutters feature a head angled between 25 and 30 degrees. This design makes it easier to position the tool’s head to make lower cuts. This style of bolt cutter can cut off nails and screws protruding from wood flush to the surface. Hydraulic cable cutters can be used on a variety of conductors, wire ropes and even solid bars. They feature a guillotine-style head shear to minimise jams. These tools are mainly used in the power utility and electrical industry for chopping copper or aluminium power cables and overhead conductors. A range of models is available, such as manual, battery or remote hydraulic head, with different styles of tool heads including ratchet, guillotine and scissor type.Do not use cushioned levers when working with electrical wiring as they are not insulated and do not offer a sufficient level of protection

With 130 years of quality hand tool manufacturing, this leading German company is at the forefront of efficient, innovative, and quality tools. The Knipex tools bolt cutter not only provides a legendary powerful performance, but also an effortless user-friendly design. Featuring an upgraded gripping zone, the powerful jaws allow for easy gripping, prising apart chain links, and pulling of nails. Strong tubular ergonomic bi-material handles have red/blue anti-slip grips that give you greater control during challenging tasks. As this cutter has a compact design, it performs well in a confined space and is ideal for everyday carry. The cutters feature center-cut jaws and compound hinges for added leverage. We tested them on cattle panels, baling wire, and 3/16-inch all thread. The Tekton 3400 cutters made it through all three types of metal, but we had to exert a lot of pressure to cut through the all thread. That type of pressure would have led to sore hands with some models, but the cushioning on the Tekton grips saved us from serious hand fatigue.We tested the power of these bolt cutters on baling wire, cattle panels, all thread, and rebar. The compound-action hinges made it a cinch to cut through the wire, panels, and all thread—even without exerting maximum force. It was also relatively easy to cut through ⅜-inch rebar, so we upped the ante by testing the Pittsburgh cutters on ½-inch rebar. This required more force—but we made it through. This was the only set of bolt cutters that cut through ½-inch rebar, and we didn’t find any damage to the blades afterward. Find sources: "Bolt cutter"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( September 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)