How to choose a bolt cutter?
A bolt cutter is a special working tool that can bite a metal rod. For this purpose, blades are used, one is sharpened sharply, and the second should be blunted. Under their pressure, the rod is cut. The principle resembles wire cutters, the difference is only in the size and scale of the structure.
Where are they used?
Bolt cutters cope with the task of cutting much better than a grinder, since they are silent and much less working time is used. Such large wire cutters are used in a wide variety of fields:
- construction
- industry
- mode of life
- rescue work.
Types of bolt cutters
The tools are divided into two types, which differ from the way the necessary efforts are applied in the work. Therefore , they are:
- Mechanical. An affordable and cheaper type is considered to be a mechanical bolt cutter. It is used much more often in work, but the amount of work will be limited.
- Hydraulic (hydraulic scissors). The hydraulic bolt cutter costs several times more expensive, but they are more perfect. Although of course there are disadvantages.
Mechanical bolt cutters
They are called hand tools, which, with the help of pressure on both parts, bite bolts and fittings. To increase the power, a two-lever mechanism is used: handles and a change of sponges, if this is provided in your tool model. The replacement of cutting edges is like a repair, the tool starts working as new.
Main advantages:
- do not depend on energy
- can be used underwater
- affordable price
- light weight.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the necessary manual labor.
If physical training is not enough, you should not expect effectiveness from the tool. The Afacan 6M - 16M bolt cutter is used when it is necessary to remove bolts of various types, cut a cable or wire, as well as metal rods from 6 to 16 mm.
A mechanical tool can be straight and angular. The straight ones provide a direct arrangement of the handle and the sponges, which is very convenient. But the corners provide for rotated sponges, which allows you to get to hard-to-reach places.
Hydraulic bolt cutters
Hydraulic bolt cutters are often found under the name of hydraulic cutters. These include manual machines. Hydraulic force is needed here.
Among the advantages of hydraulics, it is worth noting:
- minimum physical strength
- copes with thick bars
- good performance.
Hydraulic scissors are most often used on construction sites, since the speed of work in snacking metal fittings is much faster. Unlike a hand tool, the principle of operation consists in one stationary sponge, and the second one moves on it. Hydraulic bolt cutters are divided into three types: manual, electric and with an external pump.
A good alternative to the hydraulic bolt cutter is the Afacan 22M and Afacan 26MX mechanical machine.
How to choose a bolt cutter and where to buy it?
When choosing the necessary tool, pay attention to the quality of the cutting elements (for example, Afacan bolt cutters are made of alloy steel and hardened to a hardness of 55-58 HRC, which will ensure a long service life of the tool). And also determine the maximum diameter of the reinforcement that you will need when using the tool.
You can buy a bolt cutter without leaving home in our online store. A wide range, a good selection and affordable prices.
