Bolt Cutters

[rcangemi]

Hi -

I am looking to round out my safety supplies for my Beneteau 40 and am in need of a pair of bolt cutters in the event of a dismasting. Any recommendations out there? I don't want to go too small, but I also don't know if I need to go all the way to the Landmann 1/2 inch from West Marine.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[gpdno]

I bought a pair of bolt cutters at Home Depot. Cheaper than West Marine and cut just fine.

 

[woodster]

you might check out H K Porter products they make very good bolt cutters.....

regards

woody

 

[Benjamin Disralei]

Bolt Cutters

It is all very well to say what bolt cutters work fine, but what are you cutting with these bolt cutters...? I would not purchase a set of cutters without checking if they will cut through the largest member of stainless rigging that was on my yacht. I mean no disrespect to fellow sailors but having purchase several set in my life as a builder for the cutting of reo, I feel I have the right to say what I am saying with experience. I have bought great looking bolt cutters and have turned out to be damn useless. I suggest that you put the seller to the test and take along the worst case senario (piece of stainless that matches your largest rigging) (obtain an offcut from a rigger) if they cut it fine then you can purchase well, if not keep looking.....

 

[Gunni]

I suppose if you had rod rigging bolt cutters might work. They don't work for wire rope. You need cable cutters. They are bulky and expensive. Consider bi-metal hacksaw blades spec'ed for stainless wire. I have 18tooth/inch blades and they do the job - compact and inexpensive.

 

[Ed A]

hack saws will cut the stuff but if you have to cut away rigging inan emergency its way to slow and dangerous to have your hands in close when cutting away stainless.
Im for a good quality long handled cutter.

 

[rcangemi]

Many thanks for the input!

 

[Benjamin Disralei]

Totally agree with Ed A, the last thing you want to be doing in an emergency is trying to cut your way through strands of stainless rigging with a hack saw (on a tensioned piece of rigging), a quick cut with cutters is the answer, with long handled cutters you are able to brace yourself for the cut and make sure you position yourself so that the stressed and tensioned wire will not hit you when releasing its energy.