Bolt cutter facts for kids
A bolt cutter is a strong tool. It's also called a bolt cropper. People use it to cut things like chains, padlocks, and thick wires. It can also cut bolts and wire fences.
Bolt cutters were first made to cut seals off large shipping containers. This happened when the containers reached their destination. These tools have long handles and short, sharp blades. They use a special design called "compound hinges." This design helps you get a lot of cutting power. It makes it easier to cut tough materials. For example, a typical bolt cutter can create a huge cutting force of about 20,000 newtons. You only need to push the handles with about 250 newtons of force. That's like getting 80 times more power!
Types of Bolt Cutter Blades
Bolt cutters come with different kinds of cutting blades. Each blade type is best for certain jobs.
- Angle cut: These blades are set at an angle, usually 25 to 35 degrees. This angle helps you get the blades into tight spots.
- Center cut: With these blades, the cutting edges are exactly in the middle. They are equal on both sides of the blade.
- Shear cut: These blades work like regular scissors. They slide past each other to make a cut.
- Clipper cut: These blades are flat on one side. This design lets you cut very close to a flat surface.
Sizes of Bolt Cutters
Bolt cutters come in many sizes. Their length is measured from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle. Common sizes include:
- 12 inches (30.5 cm)
- 14 inches (35.6 cm)
- 18 inches (46 cm)
- 24 inches (61 cm)
- 30 inches (76 cm)
- 36 inches (91.4 cm)
- 42 inches (107 cm)
Special Uses
Some bolt cutters have handles made of fiberglass. These are special because fiberglass does not conduct electricity. This means they can be used safely to cut live electrical wires. This is very helpful during rescue operations. Fiberglass handles are also lighter than traditional metal handles. This makes the tool easier to carry and use.
See also
In Spanish: Napoleón (herramienta) para niños
