During each test, the mini bolt cutter that required the least amount of force received all 5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.5-point deduction, the third-best received a 1-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters performed the same, they received the same score. Once all six tests were performed, each mini bolt cutter’s required force was calculated by averaging the score from each test. Grip Yes. Bolt cutters are designed to cut through a variety of materials and items, including screws. It’s important to know the material you need to cut through before purchasing a bolt cutter to ensure the tool has enough jaw capacity. What are mini bolt cutters used for?

The performance of a mini bolt cutter is determined by the width of the material it can cut and how clean of a cut it delivers. For example, an effective model will not just cut through 3/32-inch piano wire, but it will do so without leaving behind frayed cords or half-cut wire. Testing Process Required Force We measured the effectiveness of each cutter’s handle through a two-fold test that measured the non-slip properties and comfort of the handle. Before purchasing a mini bolt cutter, it’s important to understand how each product’s design and specifications impact its performance. Here are four factors to consider before buying mini bolt cutters. Handle ErgonomicsAlthough most mini bolt cutters weigh less than one pound, the handheld nature of this tool lends the weight to play a factor in usability. If the product is too heavy, your hand can tire after consistent use. If the cutter is too light, it won’t be able to deliver enough force to effectively cut a wide range of materials. Adjustability Note: During testing, no mini bolt cutter was able to cut through the ¼-inch hex bolt, which led to its removal from each product’s overall score. Grip

A mini bolt cutter needs to have an ergonomic and comfortable grip to generate the force required to break bolts, wires, and other materials. A mini bolt cutter with a non-slip and easy-to-grip handle will make it easier to generate force and use over long periods. Quality of Cut

This KNIPEX mini bolt cutter is built with steel jaws that are strong enough to cut any wire with a diameter of up to ¼ inches. To help users control its strong steel frame, this product has plastic-coated handles that are easy to grip. Additionally, the mini bolt cutter comes with unique gripping jaws that can help you pull small nails and wires while you work. Key Features Adjustability is important because it lets you effectively cut materials of various sizes. Bolt cutters with adjustable blades will provide more control during use and cut through materials of greater widths. Mini bolt cutters are typically adjusted by screws located at the front of each product’s blade. Diameter Capacity To determine the effectiveness of each mini bolt cutter, we tested the products on the required force, grip, and quality of cut. Required Force Note: No bolt cutter had a clear advantage over another in its quality of cut for the 3/16-inch toggle bolt. This led to each bolt cutter receiving full points for the quality of cut for the 3/16-inch toggle bolt testing. Scoring Required Force To test the quality of each mini bolt cutter’s performance, we rated the cleanliness of each cut after it was performed. To determine the cleanliness of the cut, we looked for signs of frayed wire and jagged bolt edges. We then compared each bolt cutter’s performance to its competitors.

This mini bolt cutter showcased its ability to deliver clean cuts throughout our series of tests. The cutter’s plastic-coated grip added control and comfort to the tool as it cut a variety of piano wires and a toggle bolt. The mini bolt cutter that had the most comfortable grip during testing received all 2.5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.2-point deduction, the third-best received a 0.4-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters had handles with equal comfort, they received the same score. Quality of Cut

We tested the effectiveness of each mini bolt cutter against a ¼-inch hex bolt, 3/16-inch anchor bolt, and 0.016-, 0.020-, 0.031-, and 0.063-inch piano wire. We cut each material with every mini bolt cutter five times for a total of 30 tests per mini bolt cutter. During our testing, we noted how much force was required to make each cut. The mini bolt cutter with handles that slipped the least during testing received all 2.5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.2-point deduction, the third-best received a 0.4-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters performed the same, they received the same score. Cutting through metal using a bolt cutter requires a significant amount of grip strength and effort. To help ease the strain on your hands, an ergonomic handle is a necessity for a mini bolt cutter. A quality cutter will incorporate a comfortable yet practical design that minimizes effort and eases strain. Additionally, the handle of a mini bolt cutter should have non-slip properties to prevent injury. Weight

The amount of required force to cut material is closely tied to the effectiveness of a mini bolt cutter. Models with sharper blades can easily cut through materials, while models with dull blades may have a harder time cutting through materials. Additionally, the less force required to cut through materials, the less fatigue you’ll feel after continued use. GripWhile we tested each product’s ability to cut through various-sized materials, we also paid attention to both the comfort and grip strength each mini bolt cutter’s handle provided. We noted the number of times each bolt cutter slipped during testing and compared the comfort level provided by each bolt cutter’s handle. Quality of Cut The bolt cutter that was able to cut through the tested materials and deliver the cleanest cut received all 5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.5-point deduction, the third-best received a 1-point deduction, and so on. If two mini bolt cutters performed equally, they received the same score.