Bolt-cutters

[Chris S]

What exactly are bolt-cutters used for, apart from stealing bikes?

Are there any circumstnces in which anybody would want to crudely cut a bolt?

 

[chewy]

Often used to cut seals on the likes of shipping containers, for one!

 

[ianrauk]

I have a chum who is a fence builder and he uses them all the time. Especially for chainlink fencing.

 

[Gareth]

I own a pair of 36 inch long Bolt croppers, and they are invaluable for cutting round steel bar up to 16mm rebar and rough cutting flat steel from 3 mm X 10mm up to 10mm X 20 mm which I use a lot of in the ornamental metal work that I do.

 

[bauldbairn]

Bolts - when you've loosened it enough to get the nut jammed on the damaged threads and don't have time to hacksaw it off. Also cutting the length of a bolt or screwed rod if it's too long - because the bolt cutters cut from both sides they don't bend the steel. They're like a small portable workshop guillotine

Padlocks - on toolboxes(in engineering workshops) when you've lost your key.

Cutting steel rods(dowels), metal straps / fabrication etc.

They're very handy for a multitude of engineering jobs in inaccessable confined spaces too - it was inevitable someone would use them for criminal purposes.

I also used to have a small set of oxy/acetylene gas bottles(gas axe) to take out on site - they would have fitted in a rucksack and what the boltcutters couldn't cut - they could.

 

[slowmotion]

Yachties tend to carry them on-board. Very handy for cutting free wire rope rigging in an emergency.

 

[Hacienda71]

I have used them to trim the excess off brake and gear cables.

 

[slowmotion]

I also used to have a small set of oxy/acetylene gas bottles(gas axe) to take out on site - they would have fitted in a rucksack and what the boltcutters couldn't cut - they could.

Gas axe?
Respect! I will ask Mrs slowmotion for one of them on Valentines Day.
Sod the chainsaw...

 

[Ticktockmy]

I have used them to trim the excess off brake and gear cables.

A Tad overkill dont you think..LOL

 

[ColinJ]

I have used them [bolt-cutters] to trim the excess off brake and gear cables.

A Tad overkill dont you think..LOL

During my time as a factory labourer, I once spotted one of our wood machinists trimming his fingernails with his circular saw!

 

[david1701]

I use them for fencing

Loving that one Colin

 

[fossyant]

I own a pair of 36 inch long Bolt croppers, and they are invaluable for cutting round steel bar up to 16mm rebar d-locks and rough cutting flat steel from 3 mm X 10mm up to 10mm X 20 mm armoured cable locks which I use a lot of in the ornamental metal work that I do.

Of course I do officer !

 

[xpc316e]

If you are in the Japanese Mafia, you can use them for removing fingers.

 

[numbnuts]

as a Blacksmith I've used them

 

[subaqua]

brilliant for quick removal of copper cable to decommisioned switchgear when doing stripout work.

like big side cutters.