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. 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.” Make sure the edges of the tool are sharp as blunt or worn edges need a lot more force to make an accurate cut 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.

Bolt cutters are one of those tools that most DIYers use infrequently. With that in mind, some shoppers may not wish to make a significant investment, and there’s no need to overspend for a medium-size bolt cutter. We tested the 14-inch version of the WorkPro bolt cutter, which turned out to be quite effective at cutting wire and bolts. It can fulfill bolt-cutting needs without taking a big chunk out of shoppers’ wallets. Like the other H.K. Porter bolt cutters we tested, the hinges on this 18-inch model were stiff when we started testing. It could be something common to this brand of bolt cutter, but the hinges eventually loosened up after 20 or so cuts to where we didn’t have to pull the handles forcefully to separate them. For its size, we felt the WorkPro cutter was pretty effective. We expected to exert a lot more power, but the lever-fulcrum hinges (a compound hinge) cut through several metal items, including baling wire and cattle panels, with only a moderate amount of exertion. The blades are center cut, and the manufacturer says they’re made from chrome-molybdenum steel. Whatever they contain, they’re rugged and durable. On a whim, we tried to cut 3/16-inch all thread. It didn’t work, but our effort didn’t chip or bend the blades. Featuring an ergonomic design, the comfortable non-slip heat-treated textured rubber grip handles and center cut design reduce hand fatigue. Look for a good place to grip the metal so the handles can move freely. Move the material as deep into the jaws of the blades as possible to maximize the tool’s cutting force. This also prevents the material from slipping out of the jaws as you apply pressure. Pull the handles together using controlled and deliberate action. Slowly apply more pressure until the blades cut through the material. Do not turn or twist the handles, as this could damage the blades or the jaws. Q. How do you sharpen bolt cutters?

As our second pair of H.K. Porter bolt cutters to earn a spot on this lineup, these 18-inch power players feature excellent cutting ability in a midsize model. Like their big brother that took top honors in our tests, these shorter cutters come with double-compound hinges that increase the user’s ability to cut through challenging metal items. Easily identifiable by their pincers, they have a shorter gripping surface at the tip and a cutting surface in the middle. These tools are popular in electrical and communications tasks, as well as construction. They are ideal for grasping, splicing or chopping leads and strip insulation. 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 As this cutter features a center cut, it can easily cut through a wide variety of metals. It will have no trouble working with soft (15RC), medium (31RC), and hard (42RC) metals. Plus, it powers through stainless steel, spring wire, heat-treated rod, reinforcing rod, steel cable, and bolts. We are long-time fans of Ryobi, one of The Home Depot’s flagship brands, but the Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Bolt Cutters didn’t meet our high standards this time.

Olympia Tools offers the bolt cutter in 5 other sizes: 18-inch, 24-inch, 30-inch, 36-inch, and 48-inch. Pros We charged the lithium-ion battery overnight and then started testing by cutting baling wire. Unfortunately, the blades left about a 1/16-inch gap when cutting rather than touching together, meaning the cordless tool failed to cut. We pulled the baling wire out of the almost-closed jaws, and it didn’t have a scratch on it. When testing them on all thread, the jaws stopped closing once they met the metal. We kept pressure on the trigger, but no deal.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.

Center cut allows the tools to cut through a wide variety of metals: soft (15RC), medium (31RC) and hard (42RC) You can expect maximized leverage and improved cutting power with less effort due to the longer handle, compound hinges, and precisely aligned blades. Bolt cutters with fiberglass handles can be used for cutting live electrical wires and are useful during rescue operations. The fiberglass handles have another advantage of being lighter in weight than the conventional drop forged or solid pipe handles, making it easier to carry to the place of operation.There are different types of cutting blades for bolt cutters, including angle cut, center cut, shear cut, and clipper cut blades. Bolt cutters are usually available in 12, 14, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 inches (30.5, 35.6, 46, 61, 76, 91.4 and 107cm) in length. The length is measured from the tip of the jaw to the end of the handle. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

Routine maintenance includes lubricating the joint with an oil such as WD-40 to keep it clean and functioning smoothly. To lubricate, spray the joint and allow the solvent to soak in. The double-compound hinge design features extra arm hinges that increase cutting pressure. We felt the design worked well for amplifying the leverage necessary to cut through the most challenging test: the rebar. H.K. Porter bolt cutters also feature nonslip padded grips that make it easier to grasp and squeeze the arms together without hurting hands.

Despite using as much pressure as possible while trying to cut the all thread, we were impressed that we didn’t see any chips or blade distortion on the cutters afterward.As long as users remember that these are light-duty cutters, their 9-ounce weight and 8-inch length will easily fit in a tool belt or tool box for impromptu cutting at work. Choose tools that have a grip span between 6cm and 9cm to prevent hands or fingers from getting pinched when the tools are closed With superior cutting action, industry-leading design, and utilizing smart PowerPivot™technology, the Crescent H.K. Porter 18-inch 0090MCP Bolt Cutter is the perfect metal cutting solution for industrial-style applications. 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.