Chainsaw and bolt cutters?

[Ruined Adventures]

HI Henry,
I salute you for your service. But, really, how realistic are bolt cutters for the average person? For cutting battery wires????? How can you realistically recommend them? Be serious. I hold posts like yours in contempt. If you are serious, you have no contact with the real world of the average person. If you are bragging, then leave it at home. All you accomplish is stirring up imaginary problems.

Sparky

Realistic enough and relevant to the OP. All he's saying is airbags can cause serious injury or death AFTER an accident.

You don't HAVE to cut them. If you're in an accident and your airbags haven't deployed, you can just disconnect the terminal to de-energize your vehicle and prevent an accidental airbag deployment. Of course, if everyone's out of the vehicle than it doesn't matter if your airbags deploy after the fact. If my vehicle was in a wreck and someone I loved were entrapped or pinned inside, i would want my battery disconnected to avoid further injuries.

It didn't sound like bragging at all, it sounded like he was giving more examples about the usefulness of bolt cutters and educating Expo about hazards AFTER a collision.

 

[HenryJ]

In an expedition vehicle first responders may be at best hours away. In my location that is very true. I can not say that bolt cutters would be at the top of my list, but I do see them as a valuable asset with multiple uses. If the vehicle can handle the extra weight and has the space, I can see them as a reasonable tool to bring along.

My apologies if my post came across incorrectly. I was indeed offering situations and uses where they might warrant carrying. Maybe just justifying why I pack them?

EDIT:

18" and you can see the bender integrated on the side. The center pin is marked in degrees.

BTW, I think uses for the chainsaw have already been well outlined. I don't carry one all the time, but I do have a 16" Stihl that I toss in if the trip warrants it.

 

[Stumpalump]

Channellock has a nifty 6 function cutter/rescue tool. A place called TheFireStore sells a sheath for it.
http://www.therescuetool.com/

 

[Master-Pull]

A couple guys I work with (at the fire station) have those and although they are cool, they are a bit more expensive and have more options then the average person would need. A good set of snips or dikes can cut wires and battery cables if necessary.

I have seen the need for bolt cutters or a good set of snips when racing, we passed a truck that took a turn wide and ended up running over a fence and tangling up a driveline. The next lap we went around they had the pit crew and helping to repair the fence for the rancher.

-Alex

 

[Karma]

HI All,
So far, I've seen nothing in this thread that comes close to convincing me that bolt cutters are a good idea for the adventurer. Not when I have to prioritize loading space and measure every pound.

We are not racing or fighting fires. I think this is simply ridiculous. The probability for using bolt cutters are close to zero. This places them in the category of things I leave home or in the store.

But, if you disagree, have at it.

Sparky

 

[Rigged]

There are "folding bolt cutters" out on the market that aren't too bad. After a quick search Toughbuilt makes some as well as Ruhl Tech. While they might not be as compact as cable cutters or linesmans pliers, they are the middle ground.

While some might say that they are a waste of space. I can't help to think of coming across a situation as some of you have mentioned and not having them. I've always gone by the saying "Better to have them and not need them, then to need them and not have them." But some people call me over prepared.

 

[r_w]

A cut-off tool is way better for dealing with trail or accident carnage--air, 110, or cordless depending on what you have. A bolt-cutter is very limited in legal usefulness.

A chainsaw can be very useful, but a good crosscut will get the job done (eventually) if you have a space/weight restriction.

 

[Fireman78]

A Leatherman can cut most fence....

 

[K2ZJ]

 

[go4aryd]

I carry bolt cutters and a bow saw (to work with the winch for fallen timber). Never needed the cutters since I got them, but I have seen lots of public lands illegally locked. Usually I just go another way, but there places where the locals will chain the gate, and place a lock but not lock it. It apparently helps to discourage drifting wanderers on roads which the landowners are not allowed to lock. I got nervous on a trip after 280 miles in the backcountry desert and found several gates this way on the way out. I can't carry 600 miles of fuel to backtrack. Nearest pump still 120 miles out - but through the gate. Thankfully, none of the gates were locked, but it made me nervous enough to start carrying the cutters in that country.

Of course, some roads almost everywhere do pass through private property - and can be potentially locked legally.

I also personally know land owners that have now been forced to lock up everything due to unscrupulous wanderers (vs most of us explorers). One guy had a BLM employee steal his four-wheelers. They were sold and gone by the time the local authorities could respond. Good will goes a long way, but some folks have just had their share of problems.

 

[Antichrist]

I keep my old pair of Klein Ironworker's pliers in my tool box. Good for even hardened solid wire, small bolts, etc. They work well for twisting wire also, for emergency field repairs.
Personally I can't see the justification of full on bolt cutters.

For a long trip I can't see a chainsaw, unless traveling with others who could carry some of the gear that taking a chainsaw would force me to give up.

 

[Stumpalump]

I chose to avoid the chainsaw. That's just one more engine to maintain and keep running. Not to mention the possibility of fuel and bar oil leaking everywhere. If it doesn't work then it's definitely dead weight, at least an axe will work 100% of the time. I use chainsaws frequently at work and even when they're maintained correctly they can be a real pain in the butt when not functioning. My .02 cents

A hand chainsaw would not have those problems. I understand that the longer ones work best but have never seen one in action. Has anybody used one? Here is a 4 footer:
http://www.shop.coloradotrail.org/Pocket-Chainsaw-POCKETSAW.htm

 

[Chief_919]

Instead of a chainsaw, I carry a Dewalt 18v Sawzall. With a 12" demo blade I have been able to cut pretty much everything I have needed to on the trail, and the same battery powers a drill, angle grinder with cut-off blade, and 1/2" impact wrench. All of them together are lighter than the chainsaw too.

I have 2 batteries that stay in a DC powered charger in the truck until I need them.

 

[chasespeed]

They make a "pruning" blade for the sawzall... which, I find works real well.... I keep my large saw in my truck.,.. has its own spot...only, because, this year, I find myself needing it on short notice more than any time in the past... my TOOLS stay in my work van....

Chase

 

[Karma]

HI All,
When in forested country I carry a medium sized Steil chainsaw in the orange plastic case. I have a good place to stow it so why not? In the desert (where I spend most of my time) I don't bother.

When a tree has fallen across the trail, a chainsaw is hard to beat. A winch does not always work.

Sparky