I can't adjust the bolt cutters jaws.

[TGNP]

Please help, my bolt cutters jaw does not close together. I try to adjust by releasing 2 nuts behind the adjustable screw and trying to turn the bolt clockwise but the jaws are nearly close together and I found it has a gap of around 1 mm.

I try searching for how to adjust from the website as below,

How to adjust the jaws on bolt cutters? - Wonkee Donkee Tools

How to adjust the jaws on bolt cutters? The position of bolt cutter blades can be adjusted using either the jaw adjustment bolts, located on the plate that is mounted across the two jaws, or the neck adjustment bolt, located near to where the blade joins the handle on one side of the tool. […]

www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk

I try to release the bolt holding between the jaws and the handle and start to turn the adjustable screw clockwise again and the same result.

Does anyone have bolt cutters similar to mine please suggest?

Thank you.

 

[shawhite]

Both bolts have a cam you have to turn each a little at a time until it closes the gap. Also hold the bolt in place while you tighten the nut so not to move the adjustment bolt.

 

[TGNP]

Both bolts have a cam you have to turn each a little at a time until it closes the gap. Also hold the bolt in place while you tighten the nut so not to move the adjustment bolt.

Thank you very much for your advice.
While mine does not have the neck adjustment bolt just has jaw adjustment bolts the method of adjusting which like the same way as you suggest that's right?
Picture of my bolt cutters as attached.

 

[larry4406]

Both bolts have a cam you have to turn each a little at a time until it closes the gap. Also hold the bolt in place while you tighten the nut so not to move the adjustment bolt.

Never knew that. Probably why the OP’s bolts have an arrow on them. Wonder which way the arrow points regarding the eccentric (min or max)?

 

[shawhite]

Never knew that. Probably why the OP’s bolts have an arrow on them. Wonder which way the arrow points regarding the eccentric (min or max)?

On my cutters like this the arrows pointing to each other is the closest you can get the blades together. Usually I just turn my bolts a couple clicks towards each other then check alignment. Mine are used to gut EHS guy wire so they don’t have to touch to get the job done but they are capable of touching if adjusted correctly.

 

[TGNP]

I'll try again tomorrow because it's midnight in Thailand now.
If I can't do it I'll ask for your help again.
Thank you very much.

 

[PCustoms]

Do they really need to touch for cutting bolts?

 

[mike93lx]

Do they really need to touch for cutting bolts?

This what I am thinking. I would expect the metal to break the rest of the way well before they are closed

 

[rancherbill]

Do they really need to touch for cutting bolts?

I don't think they need to touch for bolts, but they do need to adjust for wear.

 

[seber]

One mm is about where you want it. If they touch when static, they will slam together when the bolt snaps.

 

[shawhite]

One mm is about where you want it. If they touch when static, they will slam together when the bolt snaps.

Really depends on the material you are cutting. Softer materials or materials with multiple strands (1/4 non ehs guy wire) will want the blades to touch. By the picture that gap looks a lot larger than 1mm

 

[rancherbill]

Really depends on the material you are cutting. Softer materials or materials with multiple strands (1/4 non ehs guy wire) will want the blades to touch.

Then you use a wire or cable cutter not a bolt cutter.

 

[shawhite]

Then you use a wire or cable cutter not a bolt cutter.

I would like to see you cut 1/4 guy wire with cable cutters or wire cutters. Steel reinforced copper clad ground wire is another thing you usually want the cutters close together. These are just a few examples I see often. Usually when you adjust your bolt cutters you want you blades to just barely touch like you would want your side cutters.

 

[Fuelboat]

I just got my first bolt cutter and was wondering what the arrow on the bolts were for, now I know. Guess I am not too old to learn something new.

 

[TGNP]

I just got my first bolt cutter and was wondering what the arrow on the bolts were for, now I know. Guess I am not too old to learn something new.

Hand tools never die.

 

[TGNP]

My English is not good enough to understand some advice but I try to understand what you all told me.

In the first thought to ask a question, I don't expect that my thread maybe someone gave an answer I think there are not respond me advice.

Thank you very much to you all for sharing and advice me.
I really apprechiate everyone who answers my thread this is important advice for me.

Actually, I looking for a solution in Thailand but there is no website or any platform sharing the solution. I remember once searching about hand tools and finding the thread in "garagejournal.com" then I do register on the website suddenly.

Today I'll try to adjust again if how is the result I'll tell you later.

Regards,
From Thailand.

 

[mrjaw14]

I adjusted Mine just the other day and they had new life in them. Trick is to open and close a few times, I had to adjust mine three times before it was satisfactory. I cut smaller stuff, so I had my jaws about touching. Cut a hardened screw no problem after that.

 

[TGNP]

A gap comes close together a little bit but not to the target that I expect.
I think probably I finished my mission and use it normally.
Sometimes when I cut a bolt or nail and not be separated from each other and still have an incision that thin more than a gap between a jaw, not a problem I just use my hands to help twist a little. If can't use it by hand because it's tough then I change to using a plier.

Thank you for all your advice.

 

[John McA]

Make sure you look around prior to using in case someone sees you. Bolt cutters can be dangerous in different ways..
I know what I would have done to the guy who stole my only bike. I needed it to get to class, had to drop a semester because of this theft. Kinda ironic, giving advice eh?

 

[Shiftless]

Bolt cutter story…
Long ago a friend had a new 30 foot sailboat. He had lost the key to the padlock on the cabin door and asked if I could drop by the harbor and cut off the lock. I had no key to the dock gate but looking as honest as I could, I just tailgated another yacht owner through the gate to the pier and walked down the pier to my buddy’s boat with 24 inch bolt cutters casually over one shoulder. I clipped off the padlock, opened the door to check on things and then walked back to my car. Nobody questioned me. 20 something guy carrying only bolt cutters around a yacht harbor?????

 

[TGNP]

Make sure you look around prior to using in case someone sees you. Bolt cutters can be dangerous in different ways..
I know what I would have done to the guy who stole my only bike. I needed it to get to class, had to drop a semester because of this theft. Kinda ironic, giving advice eh?

It's sad to hear from you about your bike has stolen but in Thailand, there are a few cases like in your country or the Europe zone because here we do not use bikes for work or study much but we use public transport or private vehicles such as motorcycle (more than anything) and car.

I hope you have a very strong lock for the new bike and park in the safe zone and keep an eye on a guy who carries bolt cutters.

Good luck.

 

[TGNP]

Bolt cutter story…
Long ago a friend had a new 30 foot sailboat. He had lost the key to the padlock on the cabin door and asked if I could drop by the harbor and cut off the lock. I had no key to the dock gate but looking as honest as I could, I just tailgated another yacht owner through the gate to the pier and walked down the pier to my buddy’s boat with 24 inch bolt cutters casually over one shoulder. I clipped off the padlock, opened the door to check on things and then walked back to my car. Nobody questioned me. 20 something guy carrying only bolt cutters around a yacht harbor?????

Thank you for sharing your experience.