How to Keep Your Bolt Cutters Sharp
Bolt cutters are a useful tool for many jobs, from cutting through locks to trimming metal pipes. But if you don’t maintain them properly, they can quickly become dull and ineffective.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to keep your bolt cutters in top condition. Let’s go over some simple steps you can take to make sure your bolt cutters stay sharp.
Clean Regularly
The best way to ensure your bolt cutters remain sharp is by regularly cleaning them with a brush or rag. This helps remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the blades, as well as any corrosion that could be causing them to dull more quickly.
After you clean them, wipe the blades dry with a cloth or paper towel. If you notice any rust spots, use steel wool or sandpaper to remove them before wiping the blades down again with a clean cloth.
Oil the Bolts
To keep the bolts moving smoothly and prevent them from becoming stuck due to rust or grime buildup, apply oil periodically. A few drops of oil on each side of the bolt should do the trick!
You can also spray lubricant onto the blades themselves using an aerosol spray if needed.
Sharpening
If your bolt cutters start to feel dull while you’re using them, you can sharpen them yourself with a regular file or an electric sharpener (if available). Start by filing in one direction until all nicks and burrs have been removed from both sides of the blade.
Then switch directions and file until the blade is smooth and sharp again. Be sure not to press too hard while filing—you want just enough pressure so that you still feel resistance against the metal but not so much that it causes damage.
It's also important that you don't skip any areas of the blade; otherwise, it won't be even when finished and will create problems for your workpiece later on!
Conclusion:
Sharpening your bolt cutters can seem like a daunting task at first, but it's actually quite easy once you get into it!
With just some simple maintenance steps such as cleaning and oiling regularly plus periodic sharpening when needed, you'll be able to keep your bolt cutters in top shape for years to come.
So why wait? Get out there and start putting those tools back in order!
To see the sharpest and best bolt cutters to cut through a padlock, check out our recent article below:
