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22nd April 2008, 03:18 PM #1Owner Builder
- Join Date
- May 2007
- Location
- Altona Vic
- Posts
- 66
Quick question about bolt cutters...
Would a 900mm (36 inch) long bolt cutter be able to cut 16mm rebar?
Thanks!
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22nd April 2008, 06:43 PM #2
I doubt it. Even if the jaws opened wide enough (they probably don't) you'd struggle to make a dint even if you were built like Arnie. I use my mates combination cutter/benders which are close to 2M long and I have to use my entire body weight on the handle. Use a 9" grinder if it's just a few or order it all cut to length if it's a lot.
Mick"If you need a machine today and don't buy it,
tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."
- Henry Ford 1938
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22nd April 2008, 08:22 PM #3
No, The jaws will chew out (break) or if they're a cheap pair, the handles will bend. Thats from experience.
Neil
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22nd April 2008, 08:37 PM #4Owner Builder
- Join Date
- May 2007
- Location
- Altona Vic
- Posts
- 66
Lucky I asked! What about trench mesh with say 12mm thick bars... would a 900mm bolt cutter handle those?
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22nd April 2008, 08:43 PM #5
Mine do but they are a good brand, still takes a lot of grunt though.
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22nd April 2008, 08:49 PM #6
If they are a good quality brand, say,"record" then they will cut 12mm trench but be carefull not to twist and open the jaws up fully. Kmart quality maybe get a dozen cuts before the jaws start to chip. After that, they chip they are no use for anything.
Use a 9" grinder to be safer if possible.
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22nd April 2008, 10:07 PM #7China
- Join Date
- Dec 2005
- Location
- South Australia
- Posts
- 140
If you have a large amount to cut, you can hire a rebar cutter.
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23rd April 2008, 09:33 PM #8GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Oct 2003
- Location
- Sydney,Australia
- Posts
- 42
There are special rebar cutters that have handles that short, but they operate on a cam system not simple leverage like bolt cutters, and they have a notch & bend function too. Cost a bit more than 'good' bolt cutters.
Strangle enough some of the Chinese made bolt cutters are quite good, and have all the necessary adjustments, unlike some models being sold as 'name' brands which are fixed, so if something wears or bends a bit, you have to chuck 'em & get a new set. The basic adjustments are eccentric bolts at the jaw pivots and 2 piece handles with take-up bolts, which can be used to adjust the gap between the jaws & out of parallel problems.
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25th April 2008, 08:54 PM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2005
- Location
- Kilsyth
- Age
- 66
- Posts
- 300
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26th April 2008, 03:53 PM #10Owner Builder
- Join Date
- May 2007
- Location
- Altona Vic
- Posts
- 66
Good question - my engineer has ridiculously over-specified everything, he stated 16mm Rebar for the trench reo, I was hoping to get away with trench mesh instead of rebar and therefore thought 12mm mesh would be a decent compromise (although I STILL think it's overkill)
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26th April 2008, 04:00 PM #11Senior Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2005
- Location
- Kilsyth
- Age
- 66
- Posts
- 300
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