How to Sharpen Bolt Cutters
If you ever find the need of snipping through a bolt, a fence or a strong metallic chain, the best tool to use is a pair of bolt cutters. In order to maintain the bolt cutter’s snipping power, it is important to keep its blades properly sharpened. If you know the right way to use a mill file, sharpening bolt cutters should be a very easy task and will not take more than thirty minutes of your time.
Things Required:
– Firm bristle brush
– Soapy water
– Vice grip
– Mill file
– Dry piece of cloth
– Machining Oil
Instructions
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1
Thoroughly clean the bolt cutters. Get rid of any loose mud or grime accumulated on the bolt cutters. Use a firm bristle brush dipped in soapy water. Properly wipe clean the bolt cutters. After you have cleaned the bolt cutters, remember to properly dry them to avoid rust from forming.
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2
Open the bold cutters so that the bold cutters blades are farthest apart from each other and set them in a vice grip to keep the blades from moving. Make sure that you place the blades in your opposite direction to reduce chances of an injury while sharpening the blades.
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3
Sharpening bolt cutters is pretty similar to sharpening a pair of scissors. Hold a mill file at the exact bevel angle which may be some where between 20 and 30 degrees. Slide the mill file at the angle back and forth for about ten times. See if the blades are sharpened or not. Repeat the step for a few more times if required.
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4
Sharpen the other blade in exactly the same way as in the previous step. With a piece of dry cloth, wipe clean the blades carefully. Remember that the blades are fully sharpened. Be extra careful while cleaning them.
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5
Apply a thin layer of machining oil on both blades. On a piece of dry cloth, apply a small quantity of machining oil and use it for this job. You have successfully sharpened the bolt cutters and they are at their maximum snipping power.
