Weird boltcutter

[Handyhandyman]

I found an old boltcutter at a garage sale and I got it, guess I have a mental problem. Anyways, the spacing between the blades was pretty big, so I tries to fine tune it. The problem is that while I managed to reduce it, it's still big. I know there's supposed to be a gap, about 1/20 inch. I'm guessing this was a waste of money, but what do you think?

 

[Mellissa]

Most old bolt cutters aren't worth saving unless they're really high-end. Big blade gaps usually mean worn pivots or bent handles, so it is probably not worth fixing unless it is sentimental

 

[it's me Tommy]

I found an old boltcutter at a garage sale and I got it, guess I have a mental problem. Anyways, the spacing between the blades was pretty big, so I tries to fine tune it. The problem is that while I managed to reduce it, it's still big. I know there's supposed to be a gap, about 1/20 inch. I'm guessing this was a waste of money, but what do you think?

@Mellissa is right about wear being a common issue in old cutters. The adjustment is typically made by turning the eccentric bolts at the pivots after loosening their nuts. If you have run out of adjustment on the eccentrics it points to significant wear in the linkage. Can you find any brand name on the handles or head? A quality brand like HK Porter might be worth trying to save.

 

[HandsOnNel]

I found an old boltcutter at a garage sale and I got it, guess I have a mental problem. Anyways, the spacing between the blades was pretty big, so I tries to fine tune it. The problem is that while I managed to reduce it, it's still big. I know there's supposed to be a gap, about 1/20 inch. I'm guessing this was a waste of money, but what do you think?

I have to agree with @Mellissa and @it's me Tommy on older or cheaper models.
The blades can get worn down or warped, making it impossible to get that perfect, small gap.
Have you tried adjusting the cam or screw near the hinge? That might help a little.
You can also use a feeler gauge or even just a dime to check the gap.
If it's thicker than a dime, it's probably a lost cause, but don't feel bad about it!! s
Sometimes the best lesson a cheap tool teaches you is to buy a quality one next time!

 

[GripAndRip]

Yeah, good call, once those blades get bent, you can only tweak them so much. Checking with a feeler gauge first is a great idea before you go crazy trying to get it perfect

 

[thecarpenter’s3dge]

If the cutters are still sharp, it's not a waste. A big gap usually means the pivot pin or bushings are worn. Try shimming the pivot or putting in new pins/bushings. If the jaws are really worn or chipped, it might not be worth the trouble to fix. Try cutting some wire with it, if it cuts clean, keep tweaking it.

 

[moonbuela]

If the gap you are measuring is twice as wide as the instructions specify then it definitely needs to be narrowed down. You need to have the neck adjustment bolts tweaked slightly to improve the gap uniformity.