Flea Find 9/21/13

[Helleri]

So, I have not posted for a while as I have been busy offline. But, yesterday I was at the local flea market and picked up something I had thought was rather good find, and wanted to share. It's really cool pair of bolt cutters!





The seller wanted $20.00 initially. But, I eventually got it for $8.50...


Measurements/Weight:

It measures 18" tip to handle base.

It is 4½" width, at it's widest part closed (which is between the heads of the two large slotted drive, adjustable screws).

It is 1" thick at it's thickest part (the bolt and nut assembly that bracket the blades together).

It weighs 3¼ lbs. And, appears to be all steel as tested with a neodymium magnet (save for two sets of two rubber spacers on each handle, mid way down their length).

The jaws open to ¾" at their tips (looks like they will effectively cut up to a half inch).

I think I did pretty good on the price. I have already compared them to others like it online. These seem to have come in many sizes. And, given an operable level of condition, seem to be priced according to size. This one is odd compared to those I have seen though as it is significantly larger (the largest I have found online so far is a 14"). But that is not the strangest feature. What is really odd about them to me, is that all the other ones I have seen, have the HKP logo in the ends of both handles. This only has it in one of the handles and the other one as you can see is just hollow. Could this handle have been replaced? Also, for restorative purposes before the resale of it I want to know what it would have looked like factory new. I can see that a large part of it was once painted black. and there are some of the upper parts that have green enamel paint. The high points of the lettering might have been white...But, over all it is really hard to tell and it would be helpful if someone out there is in the know about this.

[rusty]

The New Easy Bolt cutters normally have matching handles (not an exact match however, there is a right and a left). I have never seen one that did not have HKP in both handles.

I also see a slight swerve where the handle goes from solid to I beam shape, suspect someone did a really nice job of welding on a new half-handle (they tend break right at that point)

They are still perfectly good bolt cutters tho :)

[Helleri]

omg...that would sooo make sense! There is a little bit of a brassy color there with some pop marks. And, the part of the handle that doesn't fit, upon closer inspection... it looks like it was cut, ground and modified by someone. Well, I guess this one is not factory original enough to be worth bringing to full restorartion. I will just clean it up some and flip it. Watcha think i can get for it?

[OilyRascal]

I would agree on the handle not being original.  Here is the example I have - not a "new easy" version.  Obviously the hex bolts are not original.