Is cheater pipes on bolt cutters okay or no?

[mikey03]

I had to use a bolt cutters to take an old padlock off and it was kinda hard. They are smaller like 24” version. I got it but had to use all my might. in the future can I get some steel plumbing pipe to slide over each side or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

 

[DAWrench]

Cheater will probably break jaws. Longer handle bolt cutters have proportionally larger jaws

 

[zendriver]

Just watch where the knuckles can end up, when something lets loose.

24" kind of small for all but the smallest padlock. Cop and storage unit shows, seem to use the big-boys.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

If you're not big and strong, a cheater bar is just equalling what such people are doing with their bare hands.

 

[drokihazan]

36" bolt cutters really should be the default for chains and padlocks, and they have much larger heads than 24" ones. Anything they won't cut with the strength from your hands or legs, use an angle grinder

 

[RonnieC]

. Anything they won't cut with the strength from your hands or legs, use an angle grinder

You use them like the Thigh Master?????

 

[whateg01]

I often set them on the ground and stand on one handle.

 

[neophyte]

“Bolt cutters” have capacity ratings, and the “maximum capacity” is usually above what is easily doable with the tool.
The Felco Large Cable cutters actually have instructions on how to hold or brace the cable cutters for maximum efficiency while cutting, although I can’t find an image online, and I have no clue were I put the cable cutter instructions.
Generally, just buying a larger pair is easier, other than transport.
There are bolt cutters with folding handles nowadays for more compact carry.
You could try cheater pipes, but there is the possibility could could break the bolt cutter handles, and get injured.

 

[whateg01]

You could try cheater pipes, but there is the possibility could could break the bolt cutter handles, and get injured.

It's a slippery slope. Adding 6" to my 24" long cutters isn't likely to hurt anything. But if 6" more makes it a little easier, then adding 18" will make it way easier. But then if it's easier to cut that 3/8" rebar, maybe now I have the leverage to cut the 5/8 bolt? The extra leverage reduces the feedback that should tell us too much is too much.

Theother part of this is that the jaws only open so far and the best mechanical advantage is with the work right in the smallest part of the opening. But the end of the jaws is open much farther, so maybe there's an assumption that if I add pipes to the handles I can cut something that barely fits in the jaws. And then bad things happen to the tool

 

[Bubba Fett]

You can use a cheater bar on anything once.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

I had to use a bolt cutters to take an old padlock off and it was kinda hard. They are smaller like 24” version. I got it but had to use all my might. in the future can I get some steel plumbing pipe to slide over each side or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

What the hell do you think will happen?? Won’t be good. Like destroying cutting tools?

 

[RonnieC]

Theother part of this is that the jaws only open so far and the best mechanical advantage is with the work right in the smallest part of the opening. But the end of the jaws is open much farther, so maybe there's an assumption that if I add pipes to the handles I can cut something that barely fits in the jaws. And then bad things happen to the tool

I have a pair of Fiskars bypass loppers with extendable handles. The geometry of these means that at maximum extension, it is difficult to spread them apart enough to allow the business end to open fully for a larger branch. In essence you use the extendability to reach further away branches rather than for leverage.

 

[drokihazan]

You use them like the Thigh Master?????

lol you put them on the ground and stand on the handle. I've probably cut more chain that way when by squeezing my hands together.

 

[impactims]

I had to use a bolt cutters to take an old padlock off and it was kinda hard. They are smaller like 24” version. I got it but had to use all my might. in the future can I get some steel plumbing pipe to slide over each side or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

If you have to exert yourself or use a cheater on bolt cutters, you are using the wrong tool for the job.

Even if it does cut the lock, you are stressing the hardware at the jaws. Ever restored vintage HK Porter bolt cutters? I have restored 3 or 4. It's always easy to tell when someone exceeded their capacity because the parts within the jaw assembly are always bent.

Use the correct cutters.

 

[whateg01]

If you have to exert yourself or use a cheater on bolt cutters, you are using the wrong tool for the job.

Even if it does cut the lock, you are stressing the hardware at the jaws. Ever restored vintage HK Porter bolt cutters? I have restored 3 or 4. It's always easy to tell when someone exceeded their capacity because the parts within the jaw assembly are always bent.

Use the correct cutters.

Not always. Sometimes it's just in an awkward spot.

 

[Beerhippie]

I often set them on the ground and stand on one handle.

Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?





48" vintage H. K. Porter bolt cutters. A two-by four base and a scrawny 150 lb hippie standing on the handle, trying to cut #5 rebar.

I'm also wondering how the hell you cut a padlock hasp on the ground when it's chained to a fence gate four feet in the air?

An angle grinder and cut-off wheel make short work of hardened padlock hasps.

 

[whateg01]

Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?




An angle grinder and cut-off wheel make short work of hardened padlock hasps.

That attracts the attention of the guards!

 

[Beerhippie]

That attracts the attention of the guards!

Just gotta wait for the LAPD helicopter to pass overhead. Have a buddy hold his coat so the sparks don't show.

Or so I've been told.

 

[KnurledNut]

An electric hydraulic rebar cutter makes easy work of padlocks.

 

[jsaw]

The last padlocks I had to remove, I used a 13/16 & 7/8 wrench. Much easier.

 

[rsanter]

Per the design and the specs? No
real world, yes you can but be prepared to damage something or shorten their life

 

[CR888]

Modern bolt cutters in sizes 12"-42" will almost ALWAYS have the stock sizes range it can cut for soft stock and hard stock. Both hard and soft will have a HRC Rockwell range. Softer stock U can cut slightly larger than harder stock. Just read the specs that are etched into jaws or stamped into handles. If what your trying to cut falls within the guideline you shouldn't need cheater pipes. My guess is that if you need a cheater pipe, your going to damage the tool or break it. Just use the right size for the job that is good enough quality. My cutters are from Japan. Klein and many other tool co's sell Japan made bolt cutters these days.

 

[neophyte]

One thing I would worry about when using cheater pipes is the sharp edge on the edge of the cheater pipes.
Those sharp edges could cause point loads on the handles, causing or eventually causing breaks or fractures at the point were the edge of the cheater pipe is applying pressure.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Sounds like it's time to buy a cordless 4.5" angle grinder. . . like warm butter on toast.

 

[brtsvg]

Sounds like it's time to buy a cordless 4.5" angle grinder. . . like warm butter on toast.

Or even a Dremel - sure would be a lot easier and probably just as fast or faster.

 

[milky2k]

I think bolt cutters are the wrong tool to cut padlocks since most people will try to cut the shackle. That is hardened steel and you may end up breaking your tool. They're called bolt cutters not padlock cutters. You might succeed cutting a small brass lock body instead. Otherwise, you should use a grinder or try picking or shimming the lock instead.

 

[Aileron]

attach a 1/4 ton come along between the handles! I've done it on pipe 2-4 ft pipe wrenches where you couldnt get you body in a good position for leverage laying on top a large boiler. If it breaks you needed to buy a bigger one anyway

 

[zendriver]

I think bolt cutters are the wrong tool to cut padlocks since most people will try to cut the shackle. That is hardened steel and you may end up breaking your tool. They're called bolt cutters not padlock cutters. You might succeed cutting a small brass lock body instead. Otherwise, you should use a grinder or try picking or shimming the lock instead.

Padlock shackles are only case hardened to prevent cutting from old school hacksaws and files.

Proper set of bolt cutters get the job done almost instantly

Wrong size tool is ineffective like anything else.

 

[larry_g]

I'm old, fat, and out of shape so I find that I use a lot of cheaters these days. 30-40 years ago I could get things done with out cheaters most of the time if I was using the tool for what it was intended. These days I need some help at times. So me adding a 6-8" cheater on an 18" bolt cutter is OK.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[dnschmidt]

With the advent of cordless grinders why worry about bolt cutters? A Walter cut off disc and a M18 grinder will cut anything. To me bolt cutters are an artifact of the past.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

With the advent of cordless grinders why worry about bolt cutters?

Securing the item being cut. Bolt cutter holds it, grinder often does the opposite.

 

[bonneyman]

Just watch where the knuckles can end up, when something lets loose.

24" kind of small for all but the smallest padlock. Cop and storage unit shows, seem to use the big-boys.

Or any sensitive part. With the longer handles I've seen guys brace it up against their thigh.
Yikes!

 

[CV428]

If the jaws are overhardened, they will shatter like glass if too much force is applied. I had an A2 shear die set explode because it was overhardened by a machine shop. When I say explode, it sounded like glass shattering and pieces went flying everywhere. We tested a piece and it was at ~65rc, so never tempered we assumed. Remade it to 62 and it lasted for years.

If you really want to gamble it, get your detail in the jaws, apply light pressure, wrap a towel over it, and then full send. At least if it explodes the shrapnel will be contained

If it was me, I'd break out a grinder.

 

[finn]

Battery powered angle grinder for the win.

Tools would generally considered to be properly designed if the length of the lever arm (handle) was designed in conjunction with the design of the pivot pins and cutting jaw capability.
There may be exceptions, is an unusually short Handel on one model for storage or access considerations, while using jaws and pins from a larger model, but that borders on poor engineering from the product production cost point of view.

Good engineering doesn’t allow for “overbuilding” in one area.

 

[Demon4x4]

I had to use a bolt cutters to take an old padlock off and it was kinda hard. They are smaller like 24” version. I got it but had to use all my might. in the future can I get some steel plumbing pipe to slide over each side or is that a bad idea for whatever reason?

Just don't be like me and get lazy, and put one handle on your chest, both hands on the far handle and compress.
The whole family calls bolt cutters 'rib breakers' now.

 

[Beerhippie]

Just don't be like me and get lazy, and put one handle on your chest, both hands on the far handle and compress.
The whole family calls bolt cutters 'rib breakers' now.

Been there, done that.

 

[whateg01]

With the advent of cordless grinders why worry about bolt cutters? A Walter cut off disc and a M18 grinder will cut anything. To me bolt cutters are an artifact of the past.

Creating a bunch of sparks at the edge of a pasture where the grass is very dry can start a wild fire

 

[Beerhippie]

Creating a bunch of sparks at the edge of a pasture where the grass is very dry can start a wild fire

Very effective way of clearing the dead grass!

 

[finn]

Creating a bunch of sparks at the edge of a pasture where the grass is very dry can start a wild fire

Bring a bucket of water and a cell phone to call 911.

Or wait for the monsoon season.

 

[whateg01]

Bring a bucket of water and a cell phone to call 911.

Or wait for the monsoon season.

Or use a bolt cutter. I like the idea of the hydraulic ones. Maybe I need a new tool