What can you do with bolt cutters?

Author: Gilda Kemmer MD  |  Last update: Saturday, June 11, 2022

Typically, bolt cutters are used for cutting heavy types of metals that mere shears can't touch — bolts, wire, chain links, padlocks, and more. When you have a heavy duty cutting job that entails slicing through formidable metals, bolt cutters are your answer.

What can bolt cutters be used for?

Bolt cutters' blades are flat. These are made to cut through heavy metal, like locks, cables and heavy wiring. Plus, they can also be used for cutting wood, like branches or dowels. Bolt cutters have handles up to 4 feet in length, and generally, the longer the handle, the more force that can be applied.

What can bolt cutters not cut through?

Strong Steel Construction

Steel alloys tend to give the strongest protection against bolt cutters. Boron alloy is one example of a material that's difficult to cut through. Hardened steel is also used in many locks and can make the lock more resistant to bolt cutters.

Can you cut steel with bolt cutters?

Large bolt cutters that measure 30 to 42-inches are perfect for cutting through medium-hard metal materials like thick steel chains, copper cable, steel rods, and large bolts and padlocks.

Can bolt cutters cut off a Master Lock?

Try bolt cutters.

If you want to try to cut open the lock itself, cut the shackle. This will not work on most master locks, as they are made of case hardened steel.

Bolt cutters | Bolt croppers | cut off a padlock

How do you break a master lock with a bolt cutter?

What to Do
  1. Step 1: Look for appropriate bolt cutters that could cut the lock. ...
  2. Step 2: Place the blades in the shackle of the lock and position the bolt cutter near your waist. ...
  3. Step 3: Hold tightly on the grips of the cutters and squeeze the handles until you successfully cut the shackle.

Can a Dremel cut a lock?

Another handy way to cut a lock is to use a dremel tool. With a dremel, you will need a cutoff wheel, which is quite similar to that of an angle grinder. The best dremel tool usually is smaller than an angle grinder.

Who uses bolt cutters?

A bolt cutter, sometimes called bolt cropper, is a tool used for cutting bolts, chains, padlocks, rebar and wire mesh. It typically has long handles and short blades, with compound hinges to maximize leverage and cutting force.

Can a bolt cutter cut wire?

Because of the way they're designed, bolt cutters are capable of greatly multiplying the force that's applied to them, so much so that 50 pounds of applied force can become nearly 4000 pounds of cutting force. This design makes them perfect for cutting through various types of metals, including: Wires.

Are bolt cutters hard to use?

Bolt cutters are ideal portable hand tools that are useful for cutting locks, chains, fences and bolts. Around the home there are many uses for bolt cutters. They are tough tools that will work in any situation a small section of (usually cylindrical) metal needs to be cut.

Can bolt cutters cut handcuffs?

Bolt Cutters

Ensure when you select a bolt cutter you pick one that is capable of cutting steel and always wear safety glasses while using this tool. The person who is handcuffed cannot use this tool on themselves, but the bolt cutter can safely be used to remove the wrist cuffs.

What is the hardest lock to break?

ABUS Granit™: one of the world's most secure padlocks with a tensile resistance of over six tonnes. Granit locks have a tensile resistance of over six tonnes, making it almost impossible for attackers to release the shackle from the lock body by force.

Can bolt cutters cut nails?

For cutting things like rusted bolts and nails protruding from a surface, it is best to use a pair of special angled-head bolt cutters which are designed to keep the jaws flush to the surface. Compact-size bolt cutters should be quite adequate for the job.

Can bolt cutters cut sheet metal?

Since bolt cutters are so powerful—they can produce more than 4,000 pounds of force—their design makes them useful as a powerful cutting tool for a variety of different materials, including cables, wires, piping, sheet metal, and nails.

Can bolt cutter cut rebar?

– Bolt Cutters

Don't underestimate the power of a bolt cutter; of course, you can use these devices to remove padlocks and chains, but they are also effective at snapping rebar. The cutting force alone is enough to chop through smaller diameters of reinforced steel.

Can bolt cutters cut a wire fence?

Use Bolt Cutters

If unravelling the fence isn't enough, you can use a pair of bolt cutters as well. There are a variety of tools you can use to cut through a chain link fence. However, bolt cutters are one of the cheapest and easiest to use. Most DIYers can easily get their hands on a pair.

Can wire cutters cut through steel?

If you need to make sharp, accurate cuts, cable cutters are likely going to be required. For all of these reasons, it is essential to have one or more pairs of cable cutters which can cut through copper, aluminium, steel, and electrical wires.

Can you cut through a padlock?

Use an Angle Grinder

If you happen to have an angle grinder, you can easily cut through a padlock without needing a bolt cutter. You will need a metal cutoff wheel with your angle grinder as well, but these are not terribly expensive. Before you start cutting away, though, you will need to wear the proper safety gear.

Can a Dremel cut through a bolt?

A Dremel is a useful hand-held tool with several attachments used to carve, clean and cut through wood and metal. It can be safely used to cut through rusted bolts that can't be removed otherwise.

What tool can I use to cut a lock?

What Tools to Use to Cut Padlocks. Bolt cutters are the common tool of choice for to cut padlocks during forcible-entry. Unfortunately, most padlocks are made of case-hardened steel, which is very strong in comparison to the materials that bolt cutters were intended to cut.

Can bolt cutters cut a bike lock?

Bolt cutters will easily cut through cable locks, but it's worth using a cable extension to deter chancers! So if you want your bike lock to put up a fight against bolt cutters, get one made with hardened steel, and get the thickest possible option.

How do you break a master lock without a key?

1. Break the padlock with bolt cutters
  1. Step 1: Choose a suitable pair of bolt cutters. ...
  2. Step 2: Fix the lock with pliers or a vise. ...
  3. Step 3: Apply indirect force on the cutters. ...
  4. Step 1: Check the direction of the lock. ...
  5. Step 2: Smooth the side where the shackle will fall off. ...
  6. Step 3: Open the padlock.

Can you cut a combination lock with bolt cutters?

Yes, bolt cutters are an effective tool you can use to cut off a lock. Choose a pair of long-handled bolt cutters and place the shackle between the blades. Squeeze the grips of the bolt cutters together until they cut through the shackle. Then, simply remove the lock.

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