Good Bolt Cutters?

[s/v Jedi]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post119820

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Stumble

The one they used was just the one someone had in their tool box, but any good quality hacksaw would be fine. Just be sure to get a blade intended for cutting stainless (Stanley has a 10 pack for $16).

Yes I guess it's really the blade I'm looking for. Didn't someone mention some super hack saw blade earlier in the thread?

[RabidRabbit]

Don't most of us have a grinder onboard anyway?

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Stumble

I would really suggest looking up the crash test boat series by Yachting Monthly. They actually tested a number of different ways to cut away rigging in the event of a demasting. Their results were that a high quality hacksaw with a bi-metal blade for stainless was the best option. They also really like the hydrolic cutter, but at over $1,200 it's a very expensive single trick pony, and it requires two hand, unlike the hacksaw.

http://www.admiralyacht.com/admiral-...dismasting.pdf

As for an angle grinder... Remember your rigging is most likely to collapse during bad weather. Think high winds, rain, and rough water. The idea of trying to take a high draw electrical tool out to the rail, with an extension cord following behind me on a rolling deck sounds like a pretty bad idea. Even assuming that you have the power from an inverter (figure you need a 1kw minimum) you are going to be pulling down a lot of power quickly.

Well...nothing was mentioned about being out on "Victory at sea...but you're right...the 110VAC would be a dangerous factor. But I think 18VDC battery is the ticket

Originally Posted by rebel heart

That's what I've got, plus a high tension hack saw. Screw the cables, just got the turnbuckles in half. Would take about 3 seconds per.

How much?

Originally Posted by Stumble

How's it work when being sprayed with salt water? The rail in the middle of a storm, wi big waves and rain is not the time for a high voltage power tool.

I'm wondering how easy it would to have a 15 pound, 36" long set of bolt cutters, requiring two hands?

Originally Posted by Wotname

Can't disagree with this but I have taken the opposite tack.

3/8" capacity English made bolt cutters (manufacturer is Record IIRC). 3' handles, double action jaws and slices through 9/32" 1x19 SS like butter. I have never tried it on bigger wire but have used it on 5/116" gal chain.

I reckon I could retrieve it from the locker below, go forward and have all the shrouds cut away at 4am in the rain and spray while other's still unwinding the extension cord or looking for the spare 18V battery.

YMMV

Typically anything you rarely use ends up under a pile of heavy crap in the bilges of a boat. Your more likely to use and remember where the angle grinder is than the bolt cutters...IMHO.

Originally Posted by delmarrey

One of theses will cut thru cable, bolts chain and the mast, with a 1/16" wheel in just a matter of seconds. Well, maybe not the mast but if it's waxed up a few cross cuts and its away or trimmed off square ready to be stubbed.
BTW battery operated.
How much...how much???

.

[delmarrey]

How much...how much???

A throw away is as low as $35 if you supply your own battery. Heres a list of grinders w/o batteries. >>> 18 volt angle grinder - Google Search

I have the Makita since most of my battery powered tools are Makita.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I don't put a lot of stock in stuff like this anyway. I'd much rather spend the money on new rigging and rig inspection than a tool to cut it away. Just my $0.02.

Last time I had to cut a rig away was because Boat A had collided with Boat B en route to the windward mark.

Even a brand-new rig can fail if you treat it poorly enough.

[bobconnie]

Ive carried a 48" bolt cutter, well coated with lube, shrink wrapped, and stowed away in a deck compartment, for 30 yrs ! only time they were used was for cutting anchor chain! If I had to do it again I would probley sell them and get a GOOD saw and good blades, lubed and stowed the same way !! a lot lighter, and easier to use in the event of a dismasting, and in the rough weather that might have caused this to happen !! Just my 2 cents

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

A throw away is as low as $35 if you supply your own battery. Heres a list of grinders w/o batteries. >>> 18 volt angle grinder - Google Search

I have the Makita since most of my battery powered tools are Makita.

Ah yes...I see Ryobi makes one. I have their other accessories already...Thanx