I'm looking for advice on whether to invest in a rebar cutter. I've already got 64 anchor bolts that are 5/8" set up and ready to be shortened. I do have an angle grinder, but I'm torn on whether the rebar cutter is truly worth the $800 price tag. After this job, I'm not sure I'd use it much more. Would it be better to just use the angle grinder, even if it might not give me the best finish?
2 Answers
Honestly, I don't think a rebar cutter is the right choice for this job. First off, you could set up a jig really easily. Just take a metal cutting circular saw, make a track with holes drilled in it for your bolts, and you can cut them down in a few passes. It might take about 30 minutes to set up, but the cutting itself will be quick—maybe 10-15 minutes! Plus, that way you're not dropping $800 on a tool you're only going to use once in a blue moon.
I’d suggest using a bandsaw for this. You can build a simple jig with a vice and stack a few bolts to cut them faster and more efficiently. Plus, a bandsaw costs way less than a rebar cutter and can be used for a ton of other projects. Harbor Freight has some decent ones for around $100.
I thought about a bandsaw too, but I’m worried the blade wouldn’t hold up well against those 5/8" bolts.