Dismasting Tools

[lo2jones]

Great to hear from these guys! Lots of great experiences with the organization when I was an instructor. We did so many good things like LIVE crew overboard clinics. One of the victims pretended to be urinating off the back when he fell in…I had a mid Pacific dismasting and the best tool for us was the reliable hacksaws. Not all of the clevis pins could be removed using the appropriate tools due to tension.

[Benz]

Originally Posted by jen1722terry

I wonder if one of the portable multitools with the flat cutting blades would work on wire rigging on our 31' boat?

Comments?

You'd have the Devil's own time trying to hold it against a wire, esp. on a pitching boat. Battery grinder with cut-off wheel will be lots easier and faster.

[nonav]

A pair of swaged cable cutters should cut fairly heavy stuff.
https://usrigging.com/heavy-duty-wire-rope-cutter/

[nonav]

Fein makes good metal cutting blades for their tool, but it would be challenging at best on a nice day.

A good hacksaw will blaze through cable by comparison.

[Shaneesprit]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Image your mast is broken and laying in the water and that your have a furling headsail, which is now also in the water.

Now go and look outside on your boat and look at what needs to be cut and tell me if your bolt cutters are going to do the job.

11 days ago I had to do this. Bolt cutters would have been unless. I even had to lower the anchor some in order to drive out the pins.

There is very little a 36” pair of Record bolt croppers won’t cut through, it’s all about the quality of tools.
Although I would not like to be be in the situation you were in. Hopefully the insurance will put it right.

[Fintry]

As I have said before, in our safety at sea classes we compare using a pair of 36" HK Porter bolt cutters to using a 4.5 inch disc angle grinder. The bolt cutters won't touch rod rigging and will go through 3/8" 1x19 slowly only in the hands of a very strong person. By contrast, the angle grinder can be used rapidly by anyone.


Jim

[lo2jones]

I’m a believer in the Bosch cordless grinder and back up: two hacksaws.

[ixnax]

Originally Posted by lo2jones

I’m a believer in the Bosch cordless grinder and back up: two hacksaws.

I keep a Dewalt Angle Grinder with two charged batteries and a charger in a dedicated bag. Also in the bag are extra cutting and grinding wheels, two new pairs of leather gloves, and two pairs of elastic strap safety glasses.

[Triumph]

If you 't have a grinder or a hack saw, try a sharp coal chisel and hammer. Don't dismiss this until you've tried it. One or two whacks will cut right through the wire. Yes, you have to have a solid surface under the wire. I have done this many times. Now go try it yourself if you doubt me. Then let the Safety at Sea people know about this old forgotten method.

Bill on TRIUMPH