buy welded wire netting

Evoking the textures and colors of his native Valencia cheap hexagonal wire mesh , the sculptural furniture pieces by Spanish artist Nacho Carbonell are sensual interpretations of life in the Mediterranean. A bulbous buy welded wire netting, metal mesh canopy sprouts from a rugged pink seat, small wooden sticks comprise the sinuous patterns on a buffet, and a vibrant mosaic takes the form of a headphone-shaped lamp. Tactile and potentially functional, the objects reference the natural, sun-soaked environment of Carbonells childhood buy welded wire netting, in addition to art historical traditions like those of 15th Century painter Hieronymus Bosch and 20th Century Austrian sculptor Franz West. Constructed from a wide array of recycled and industrial materials like glass bottles and concrete, the works are largely organic and archaeological, rooted in personal memories the artist likens to fossils. He tells designboom: I learned that when you build something, nature can take over. Here, in this context is where I learned it. But this is not unique in the world, it is happening everywhere. So I just take [the natural elements] and I appropriate them because they are part of me I feel entitled to say Because we grew together, I can use you in my work to create this narrative for others, to let them know that you exist here. Carbonells works are on view through September 9 at the new Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Los Angeles, and you can find more from the artist, who is currently based in Eindhoven, on his site. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. You'll connect with a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, read articles and newsletters ad-free, sustain our interview series, the sculptural furniture pieces by Spanish artist Nacho Carbonell are sensual interpretations of life in the Mediterranean. A bulbous can renters install temporary dog fence , and much more. Join now!Whether its to cut that padlock with the missing key from the backyard shed or to trim metal chain links for fencing installation, there are plenty of good reasons to have a quality bolt cutter in your collection. While bolt cutters are a crucial tool for cutting heavy wiring buy welded wire netting, rods, and fencing, models range widely in the type and thickness of steel theyll cut. We tested some of todays top-rated bolt cutters to see which ones were true standouts. We cut fencing, all thread (threaded bolt rods), baling wire buy welded wire netting, and more. The performance of some models definitely impressed us, but not all the bolt cutters we tested lived up to our high standards. With so many brands and sizes of bolt cutters available, figuring out which is the right tool for the job can be confusing. Learn what to look for when choosing a pair of bolt cutters and discover how the following models earned a spot on this lineup of the best bolt cutters. How We Tested the Best Bolt Cutters Bolt cutters are a hand tool thats easier to judge in person than online buy welded wire netting, but to ensure we had a selection of the best options to test buy welded wire netting, we followed some general guidelines. First, we considered brand. Crescent H.K. Porter and Tekton are manufacturers of a wide range of quality cutting products, including pruners buy welded wire netting, shears, and bolt cutters, so we picked their top-performing models. We also included lesser-known brands whose users rated their products highly. Finally, we ensured we chose bolt cutters that varied in size and cost. In testing buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, we used a straightforward, metal mesh canopy sprouts from a rugged pink seat palisade steel fencing , wires, and metal rods with each tool, keeping in mind that the size and type of the bolt cutter determined the thickness of metal it could cut, as specified by the manufacturer. For example, we cut rebar with the largest bolt cutter but didnt attempt to do so with a small buy welded wire netting, compact cutter not designed for that purpose. Throughout the testing process, we awarded points based on several aspects, such as the overall design of the tool, ease of use, cutting performance, and tool quality. Each tool was awarded points based on a rubricthe better it performed, the more points it earned. After testing, we added the points and used the final scores to categorize the tools. Our Top Picks The following bolt cutters feature durable handles and powerful cutting jaws, and they excelled in our hands-on testing. Each bolt cutter in our lineup is better suited for some uses than others buy welded wire netting, but each is a standout in its category. One is sure to be a beneficial addition to your tool caddy. Best Overall 1 Crescent H.K. Porter 0190MCP 24-Inch Bolt Cutter Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Even with a quality bolt cutter, cutting through metal can be an uphill task requiring significant upper-body strength. This bolt cutter from H.K. Porter makes cutting more manageable thanks to its double-compound hinge design buy welded wire netting, which increases the handles leverage. We used this bolt cutter to cut through a variety of metal, including cattle panels buy welded wire netting, baling wire buy welded wire netting, small wooden sticks comprise the sinuous patterns on a buffet concrete palisade fencing suppliers cape town , 3/16-inch all thread (threaded bolt rod), and -inch rebar. These H.K. Porter bolt cutters are classified as center cut, meaning both sides of the blades are sharpened to a center point. This is one of the most common styles of cutters buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, and we didnt have any problems cutting through the cattle panels, baling wire, or all thread. It took a little more squeezing power with these 24-inch cutters to get through the rebar, but we made it. The double-compound hinge design features extra arm hinges that increase cutting pressure. We felt the design worked well for amplifying the leverage necessary to cut through the most challenging test: the rebar. H.K. Porter bolt cutters also feature nonslip padded grips that make it easier to grasp and squeeze the arms together without hurting hands. The tubular steel handles didnt bend during our tests, and we exerted quite a bit of pressure. We didnt find any nicks on the steel blades from cutting the metal itemssomething that can occur with low-quality steel blades. The only downside we noticed was that the hinges were tight, making the arms slightly difficult to open. While this was initially annoying, the hinges loosened up after we cut through 20 to 30 metal items. Product Specs Length: 24 inches 24 inches Weight: 7.74 pounds 7.74 pounds Compound action? Yes buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, double compound Pros Bolt cutter hinges feature double-compound technology that increases the users leverage and makes cutting easier Nonslip padded grips help keep users hands from getting sore Cut up to -inch rebar in tests, making it powerful and versatile Cons Hinges were stiff at first but loosened up after making several cuts Read our full review here. Get the Crescent H.K. Porter 24-inch bolt cutters at Amazon, The Home Depot buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, Lowes, Acme Tools, or Grainger. Best Bang for The Buck 2 WorkPro W017004A 14-Inch Bolt Cutter Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Bolt cutters are one of those tools that most DIYers use infrequently. With that in mind, some shoppers may not wish to make a significant investment, and theres no need to overspend for a medium-size bolt cutter. We tested the 14-inch version of the WorkPro bolt cutter, which turned out to be quite effective at cutting wire and bolts. It can fulfill bolt-cutting needs without taking a big chunk out of shoppers wallets. For its size, we felt the WorkPro cutter was pretty effective. We expected to exert a lot more power, but the lever-fulcrum hinges (a compound hinge) cut through several metal items, including baling wire and cattle panels buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, with only a moderate amount of exertion. The blades are center cut, and the manufacturer says theyre made from chrome-molybdenum steel. Whatever they contain buy welded wire netting, theyre rugged and durable. On a whim, we tried to cut 3/16-inch all thread. It didnt work, but our effort didnt chip or bend the blades. The grips are soft and ergonomicdesigned to fit the handso users can get a solid hold without slippage. It started snowing when we were testing, and the cutters got some moisture on them. We took them into the shop to dry out, but we noticed some rust on the hinges the next day. For that reason buy welded wire netting, we recommend using them in dry weather or promptly wiping them dry if they get wet. Product Specs Length: 14 inches 14 inches Weight: 2.05 pounds 2.05 pounds Compound action? Yes Pros Affordable pair of midsize bolt cutters that cut 3/16-inch all thread in testing Compound (lever-fulcrum) hinges give users more leverage for cutting bolts Ergonomic nonslip grips are comfortable to grasp and reduce hand fatigue Cons Hinges may rust, so users should dry the cutters if they get wet Get the WorkPro bolt cutters at Amazon, Sears, or Kmart. Best for All Thread 3 DeWalt DCS350D1 20V MAX* Threaded Rod Cutter Kit Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Weve owned and tested many DeWalt tools over the years and feel DeWalt is a top power tool producer. However, wed never tried the brands hydraulic bolt cutterwe didnt even know DeWalt made one. We know now buy welded wire netting, and we are impressed! Anyone whos done mechanical work or needed to cut off too-long bolts has likely run into the issue of cutting a bolt and getting a jagged end that had to be filed down by hand. This is a nonissue with the DeWalt bolt cutter. All we had to do was put a threaded bolt between the cutters jaws and pull the trigger. The curved blades on the tool (which comes with a 2-amp hour rechargeable battery and charger) immediately tightened around the bolt and cut it cleanly in half. We cut all thread up to 3/16 inch, and the DeWalt didnt strain once under the task. The manufacturer says the tool cuts up to -inch threaded bolts, and while we didnt have any on hand to test, we think the DeWalt has enough cutting power to do the job. It features a forged steel head buy welded wire netting, multiple cutting blades, and steel handles with rubberized grips for control and comfort. A convenient carrying case provides storage for the cutter and a set of spare blades. One caveat, thoughthis tool is only for cutting threaded bolts. We tested it on a smooth bolt, and it stalled. This was our fault and not the tools since its not designed to cut anything but threaded bolts, but it does limit the tools use. Product Specs Length: 11.125 inches 11.125 inches Weight: 12.5 pounds 12.5 pounds Compound action? Not applicable Pros This bolt cutter works on hydraulics, so users can take it easy Multiblade jaws make clean end cuts; little or no filing is needed Rechargeable battery is interchangeable with other DeWalt 20V power tools Comes with a handy tool bag for keeping items organized Cons Not suitable for cutting any wire or rods except threaded ones Get the DeWalt bolt cutters at Acme Tools, Amazon buy welded wire netting, MSC, or Ace Tool. Best Cushion-Grip 4 Tekton 3400 18-Inch Bolt Cutter Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Sometimes its not the hinge design that keeps users from being able to cut through steel rods and bolts. Sometimes its the discomfort that comes with applying a lot of pressure to the handles of the bolt cutters. Fortunately, we didnt have that problem with Tektons 18-inch bolt cutters that come with cushioned nonslip grips. The cutters feature center-cut jaws and compound hinges for added leverage. We tested them on cattle panels, baling wire, and 3/16-inch all thread. The Tekton 3400 cutters made it through all three types of metal, but we had to exert a lot of pressure to cut through the all thread. That type of pressure would have led to sore hands with some models, but the cushioning on the Tekton grips saved us from serious hand fatigue. The downside is that after we powered through multiple steel bolt cuts, we found a couple of nicks on one of the blades. That was disappointing, but these are still good cutters for thinner bolts or softer metal. We recommend not pushing them too hard to keep them in top working order. Product Specs Length: 18 inches 18 inches Weight: 3.2 pounds 3.2 pounds Compound action? Yes Pros Cushioned grips reduce hand fatigue that can occur when exerting maximum force Cuts through baling wire and cattle panels with relative ease Features a compound hinge configuration that increases leverage for easier cutting Cons Blades suffered a couple of nicks after cutting through steel bolts Get the Tekton 18-inch bolt cutters at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowes, or Zoro. Best Compact 5 Tekton 3386 8-Inch Bolt Cutter Photo: amazon.com SEE IT For such a small bolt cutter, we found that this 8-inch Tekton packed quite a punch. It features compound hinges for added power and leverage. And the grips are made from soft rubber to absorb some of the pressure. We cut quickly through the baling wire, and it took just a bit more effort to cut through the metal on a cattle panel. The manufacturer says these bolt cutters will cut through 3/16-inch wire buy welded wire netting, and maybe it will, but we didnt have any for testing and feel the user would need to exert quite a bit of muscle to pull that off. We did test them on 3/16-inch all thread, and they didnt make a dent. However, that doesnt reflect negatively since theyre not made for that purpose. Even if the short handles dont supply enough leverage to cut thick bolts and steel rods, they were durable enough to resist twisting or bending buy welded wire netting, and their soft rubber grips provided some comfort for our hands. Despite using as much pressure as possible while trying to cut the all thread, we were impressed that we didnt see any chips or blade distortion on the cutters afterward.As long as users remember that these are light-duty cutters, their 9-ounce weight and 8-inch length will easily fit in a tool belt or tool box for impromptu cutting at work. Product Specs Length: 8 inches 8 inches Weight: 9.1 ounces 9.1 ounces Compound action? Yes Pros Lightweight and compact, these bolt cutters are easy to carry in a tool pouch or pocket The rubber handle grips resist slipping and add cushion for hands The compound hinges help this little cutter cut through baling wire and more Cons Light-duty-only bolt cuttersdont expect them to cut what larger models will Get the Tekton 8-inch bolt cutters at Amazon. Best Compound-Action 6 Crescent H.K. Porter 0090MCP 18-Inch Bolt Cutter Photo: amazon.com SEE IT As our second pair of H.K. Porter bolt cutters to earn a spot on this lineup, these 18-inch power players feature excellent cutting ability in a midsize model. Like their big brother that took top honors in our tests, these shorter cutters come with double-compound hinges that increase the users ability to cut through challenging metal items. We tested these bolt cutters on baling wire, cattle panels, and 3/16-inch all thread. It was easy to cut through the wire and panels, but we had to apply more force to sever the all thread (though not as much as with other 18-inch models we tested). We attribute the increased cutting power to the cutters hinge technology, which H.K. Porter calls PowerPivot. We then tried to cut -inch rebar but were not successful. Still, this is a robust set of midsize bolt cutters. Even after trying to cut the rebar, we didnt find any nicks or chips in the blades, and the nonslip padded grips reduce hand fatigue. Like the other H.K. Porter bolt cutters we tested, the hinges on this 18-inch model were stiff when we started testing. It could be something common to this brand of bolt cutter buy welded wire netting, but the hinges eventually loosened up after 20 or so cuts to where we didnt have to pull the handles forcefully to separate them. Product Specs Length: 18 inches 18 inches Weight: 5 pounds 5 pounds Compound action? Yes, double compound Pros Double-compound hinge technology provides extra leverage for metal cutting Nonslip padded grips help to reduce hand fatigue; ideal for longer projects Precision-ground steel blades withstand heavy cutting without damage Cons Hinges are stiff at first but loosen up after several cuts Get the Crescent H.K. Porter 18-inch bolt cutters at Amazon, The Home Depot buy welded wire netting, Tractor Supply Co., or Acme Tools. Best Extra-Long 7 Pittsburgh 36-Inch Bolt Cutters Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Bring on the muscle! The Pittsburgh 36-inch bolt cutters were the longest model we tested, and the extra length added up to extra leverage. We tested the power of these bolt cutters on baling wire, cattle panels, all thread, and rebar. The compound-action hinges made it a cinch to cut through the wire, panels, and all threadeven without exerting maximum force. It was also relatively easy to cut through -inch rebar buy welded wire netting, so we upped the ante by testing the Pittsburgh cutters on -inch rebar. This required more forcebut we made it through. This was the only set of bolt cutters that cut through -inch rebar, and we didnt find any damage to the blades afterward. The cutters come with nonslip grips, though we felt they could use a bit more cushioning. And there is a downside to all that powerful length: The longer bolt cutters are, the more challenging it is to control the jaws accurately. This pairs extra length and weight make the jaws unwieldy, especially when reaching overhead. Still, extended cutters mean more cutting power, so its a trade-off depending on the users preferences. Product Specs Length: 36 inches 36 inches Weight: 10.97 pounds 10.97 pounds Compound action? Yes Pros Extra-long 36-inch length increases leverage and cutting power Compound-action jaws add even more force for cutting metal High-carbon blades can cut through tough metals without damage Cons The added length and weight make the bolt cutters unwieldy Get the Pittsburgh bolt cutters at Amazon or Harbor Freight. ALSO TESTED We are long-time fans of Ryobi, one of The Home Depots flagship brands buy welded wire netting, but the Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Bolt Cutters didnt meet our high standards this time. We charged the lithium-ion battery overnight and then started testing by cutting baling wire. Unfortunately, the blades left about a 1/16-inch gap when cutting rather than touching together, meaning the cordless tool failed to cut. We pulled the baling wire out of the almost-closed jaws, and it didnt have a scratch on it. When testing them on all thread buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, the jaws stopped closing once they met the metal. We kept pressure on the trigger buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, but no deal. We had to eliminate the Ryobi bolt cutters from our tests, but this specific tool failure does not represent the brands overall quality. Ryobi makes some excellent toolsperhaps we just got a lemon this time. Were open to testing a different or upgraded model in the future. What to Consider When Choosing Bolt Cutters Most DIYers believe that bigger is better when it comes to bolt cutters. And while it may be true that longer bolt cutters can cut thicker metal, theyre not suitable for every DIY project. Below, we go beyond size to review all the factors to consider before making a purchase. Intended Use Despite the name, bolt cutters are helpful for many more jobs than cutting bolts. In addition to removing padlocks with forgotten combinations or missing keys buy welded wire netting, bolt cutters can cut wire mesh used to reinforce concrete pads, rebar used for landscaping buy welded wire netting, and metal wire for chain-link fencing. Since bolt cutters are so powerfulsome can produce more than 4,000 pounds of forcetheir design makes them useful as powerful cutting tools for various materials, including cables, wires, fencing, all thread, and nails. Size and Weight Length does matter when it comes to bolt cutters. Longer arms create more leverage and, therefore, more cutting power. An 18-inch bolt cutter can often cut metal with a diameter up to 9/32 of an inch, while a 24-inch bolt cutter can cut thicknesses up to 5/16 of an inch, depending on the materials hardness and the quality of the tool. Large bolt cutters, which can be as long as 48 inches, can handle hardened steel rods, heavy chains buy welded wire netting, and thick threaded cable up to 7/16 of an inch in diameter. Bolt cutters vary in weight from about 2 pounds for smaller 8-inch cutters to around 8 pounds for larger 48-inch cutters. Cut Style Bolt cutters come in various cut styles, including angled, shear, clipper, center, and hydraulic. Angled-cut bolt cutters feature a head angled between 25 and 30 degrees. This design makes it easier to position the tools head to make lower cuts. This style of bolt cutter can cut off nails and screws protruding from wood flush to the surface. feature a head angled between 25 and 30 degrees. This design makes it easier to position the tools head to make lower cuts. This style of bolt cutter can cut off nails and screws protruding from wood flush to the surface. Shear bolt cutters have slightly different blades. Unlike other bolt cutters where the sharp edges of the blades meet buy welded wire netting, shear-type cutters feature bypass bladesa popular configuration often found in pruning loppers. When the user applies pressure to the handles, the top jaw blade slides past the lower blade. This creates a slicing effect that is better suited to cutting softer cables than solid bolts. have slightly different blades. Unlike other bolt cutters where the sharp edges of the blades meet, shear-type cutters feature bypass bladesa popular configuration often found in pruning loppers. When the user applies pressure to the handles, the top jaw blade slides past the lower blade. This creates a slicing effect that is better suited to cutting softer cables than solid bolts. Clipper-cut bolt cutters feature an angle blade that runs to a flat side. The slight bevel on these blades creates high pressure on a single focal point, maximizing cutting power. Since they have a flat side, clipper-style bolt cutters are ideal for shearing off nails and making clean cuts through sheet metal. feature an angle blade that runs to a flat side. The slight bevel on these blades creates high pressure on a single focal point, maximizing cutting power. Since they have a flat side buy welded wire netting, clipper-style bolt cutters are ideal for shearing off nails and making clean cuts through sheet metal. Center-cut bolt cutters feature blades that are beveled on both sides and are evenly spaced from each other. This is the most common type of jaw configuration and the only type we tested other than the powered all thread bolt cutter. When pressure is applied, the blades bear down on either end until they separate the material. Center-cut bolt cutters are ideal for cutting through cables, pipes, and metal rods. feature blades that are beveled on both sides and are evenly spaced from each other. This is the most common type of jaw configuration and the only type we tested other than the powered all thread bolt cutter. When pressure is applied buy welded wire netting, the blades bear down on either end until they separate the material. Center-cut bolt cutters are ideal for cutting through cables, pipes buy welded wire netting, and metal rods. Hydraulic bolt cutters use a motor to power the cutting blades. A hydraulically powered piston drives the cutting edge forward with significantly more force than handle-operated bolt cutters can produce. Due to this additional power, hydraulic bolt cutters can cut soft metals nearly an inch in diameter. Handles Since users must apply a significant amount of force when using bolt cutters, the bolt cutters must have comfortable and durable handles to protect users hands and extend the tools life. Most bolt cutter handles consist of steel tubes that resist bending and feature padded grips to maximize comfort and control. Bolt cutter handles also have metal stops near the neck, which prevent them from closing too closely together, causing the blades to overlap. Adjustability Blades on some types of bolt cutters (but not all) are adjustable. Bolts on the neck and jaws of a bolt cutter allow the user to adjust the blades. Turning the jaw adjustment bolts causes the corresponding blade to either move towards or away from the joint. A clockwise turn moves the blades closer together buy welded wire netting, while a counterclockwise turn moves the blades farther apart. Adjusting the bolts on the neck changes the blades angle by moving the tips closer together or farther apart. Properly adjusting the blades is crucial for proper cutting and protecting them from damage. Maintenance The best way to extend the life of bolt cutters is to use them as the manufacturer intended. Attempting to cut materials that are harder or thicker than what the bolt cutters are rated to handle can damage the blade or the joints. Routine maintenance includes lubricating the joint with an oil such as WD-40 to keep it clean and functioning smoothly. To lubricate buy welded wire netting, spray the joint and allow the solvent to soak in. Periodically sharpen the blade and clean it using soapy water and a brush. Dry it with a soft rag to prevent the metal from oxidizing. Sharpen bolt cutters by clamping them in a vice and using a file or an angle grinder to file the edge. FAQs Read on for the answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding bolt cutters. Q. How do you use bolt cutters? Look for a good place to grip the metal so the handles can move freely. Move the material as deep into the jaws of the blades as possible to maximize the tools cutting force. This also prevents the material from slipping out of the jaws as you apply pressure. Pull the handles together using controlled and deliberate action. Slowly apply more pressure until the blades cut through the material. Do not turn or twist the handles, as this could damage the blades or the jaws. Q. How do you sharpen bolt cutters? To sharpen the blades buy welded wire netting, you need a metal vice, oil, a file or an angle grinder, and a clean cloth. Make sure the head of the bolt cutter is clean, then firmly clamp it in the vice. Using a grinder or a file, file the blade, making sure to follow the beveled angle of the blade. Do not sharpen the edge as you would a knife. Bolt cutters have a beveled edge that forces material apart. It does not slice through metal like a knife. Wipe down the blade with a cloth, and then oil it using a metal lubricating solvent. Q. What size bolt cutters should you use to cut a padlock? Depending on quality, 24-inch bolt cutters can cut metal up to 7/16-inch in diameter, which will cut the bolts on most standard padlocks. For higher-quality padlocks that use a harder metal, use a 36-inch bolt cutter.After getting our hands on 13 pairs of wire cutters and spending three days relentlessly snipping wire ties, finish nails buy welded wire netting, hardware cloth buy welded wire netting, welded wire fencing, and thick electrical wire, the first tool wed recommend is Channellock E337CB Diagonal Cutting Plier . Channellocks E337CB cut far better than its competitors during our tests, managing tough jobs that the other wire cutters struggled with. The wide, padded handlesa surprisingly rare feature among wire cutterseased hand strain during difficult repetitive cutting. The durability is outstanding as well. After making at least 200 cuts through a wide range of materials, the jaws showed no signs of wear and still had edges that were sharp enough to cut a piece of paper. This pair of Channellock pliers costs toward the higher end of the scale, but its worth the money if you want to be secure that your wire cutters have the strength to handle the toughest jobs. Advertisement If the Channellock pliers arent available, or if you want to make a smaller investment into a quality tool, consider the Irwin Vise-Grip 2078306 7-Inch Diagonal Cutting Pliers. These were among the least expensive models we tested, but they still have padded handles and cut just as well as their peersexcept for the superior Channellock pliers. Irwin's offering will be able to deal with common tasks like cutting electrical wire and hardware cloth, but because these pliers have less strength buy welded wire netting, theyll struggle during hard jobs like cutting nails. For repetitive work, like snipping fencing, your hands will get tired faster than if you were using our top pick. If you'll be using your wire cutters for a lot of repetitive cutting, like through hardware cloth, and if you're willing to sacrifice the overwhelming strength of the Channellock pair, we like the Bahco 2101G-160 Ergo Cutting Pliers. They're a little smaller than our other recommendations, but offer the unique ability to toggle in and out of a spring-loaded handle setting, which opens the handles for you after each cutideal for continuous cutting and for cutting in tight spots. Of the cutters we tested, the Bahco pair also has the most comfortable padded handles and the smallest, most precise cutting nose with the most agile jaws, making it a nice choice for small jewelry or toy repairs. The downside is that it just doesnt have the cutting strength of the Channellock pair buy welded wire netting, so itll struggle through thicker-gauge wire. So even though we like everything about this tool, we think most people would prefer the higher strength of the Channellock pair. For the specific needs of the AV hobbyistwhich include as much stripping as cutting, and the precision to snip, grip, and bend speaker wirewe recommend the Klein 11055 Wire Stripper-Cutter. We didnt do comparative testing of this model, but it's comfortable grips buy welded wire netting, large cutting jaws, clearly marked stripping holes, spring-loaded handles buy welded wire netting, and the overall quality associated with the Klein name made it the one that numerous Wirecutter staffers have purchased on their own both for electrical and audio work.Whether as a studio, garden shed buy welded wire netting, chicken coop buy welded wire netting, or something else entirely, an earthbag building is adaptable. Whether as a studio buy welded wire netting, garden shed, chicken coop, or something else entirely buy welded wire netting, an earthbag building is adaptable. With this novel technique, you can make earthbag buildings to serve as a studio, garden shed, chicken coop, or root/storm cellar no permit required! One of the most practical structures on a small farmstead is a multipurpose building that can serve as a storage shed or cool pantry above ground, or as a root cellar or storm shelter below ground. You can build this multipurpose structure for about $300 using earthbag construction (bags filled with earth and stacked like bricks). And the skills you learn by building the dome will serve you well if you plan to build larger earthbag buildings or even an earth home. In many cases, no building permit will be needed for this little building, because its below the minimum size required by most building codes (for structures that are not inhabited and not attached to a residence). But because codes vary by region buy welded wire netting, check your local building regulations before you begin. Earthbag structures provide a cool space in summer and an escape from the cold in winter buy welded wire netting, which means this earthbag dome is well suited for many purposes. Depending on your needs, the most practical combination of uses might be a root cellar/cool pantry for daily use and a disaster shelter for emergencies such as tornadoes or hurricanes. The earthbag dome has a natural look and blends in with the land. It has a solid, organic feel just what youd expect from a design inspired by nature that has been combined with a little modern ingenuity and thousands of years of earth- and dome-building wisdom. Building With Earthbags No expensive forms or equipment are needed with earthbag building buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, and the technique is faster and easier than other earth-building styles including cob buy welded wire netting, rammed-earth tire construction, and adobe (if you have to make your own bricks). Earthbag buildings are more water resistant than those made with straw bales, making them suitable for earth-bermed and below-grade structures. If your site is susceptible to flooding, earthbag buildings are one of the best options after all, sandbags have a long history of use for flood control. Just use an appropriate fill material, such as gravel buy welded wire netting, in lower courses. The cost of building with earthbags varies. You can almost build free if you take the time to scrounge the materials buy welded wire netting, (used poly bags and barbed wire, recycled wood, and local soil and gravel). Few tools are required. Heres a middle of the road cost estimate that assumes youll buy the major items but also take time to shop around. For example, if you dont have used polypropylene bags buy welded wire netting, you can almost certainly find a local farmer who does. The most significant advantage to building with bags is the simplicity of the process. No special skills are required: Fill bags with earth and tamp them solid. Building with bags requires a lot of physical effort, but brute strength is not necessary because each step can be done a little at a time at a comfortable pace. Earthbag domes are incredibly strong and hold up well in hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. After being plastered or bermed with earth, they are virtually fireproof. A properly constructed earthbag structure approaches the strength of stone, at a fraction of the cost, labor, and necessary skills. This earthbag shed is 8 feet in diameter inside (about 11 feet outside) and approximately 8 feet high. Plans could be scaled up to create 10- to 16-foot diameter domes. At the top of a larger dome, the earthbag thickness and cantilever (corbel distance) have to be adjusted slightly so its more conical. Any building project can be dangerous, so stay alert while working. Until all the bags are in place and locked together, theres a risk that they might fall, causing damage or injury. Construction Cost View the Earthbag Building Materials Costs chart for a list of materials and prices. Free or Low-cost Items: 2 salvaged 28- to 30-inch tires Boards and plywood to support the tires 7 3-by-32-inch rot resistant wood poles 2 2-gallon heavy duty buckets 1 4-gallon plastic bucket #10 cans optional 1 pound 4d common nails 1 pound 1-1/2-inch galvanized roofing nails 2 string lines (one at 9-1/2 feet buy welded wire netting, one at 48 inches) 2 wood stakes with screw eyes 2-by-4-by-30-inch tamping board 2-inch-diameter-by-19-inch tamping rod (tree branch) Salvaged rebar for 28-inch pins Small amount of wire 12-inch square of galvanized window screen Old fishing net Rot-resistant 1-inch saplings Sod (or native grass) Flower seeds and plants as desired Tools Tamper(s) Round-nose shovel(s) Hoe/digging tool 13-by-16-inch sheet-metal slider (or old cookie sheet) Knife Hammer Level 10-foot 2-by-4 leveling board Tape measure Fencing pliers Handsaw Trowel Garden hose with spray nozzle 6- or 8-foot stepladder Basic Information Interior diameter: 8 feet Exterior diameter: approximately 11 feet Interior height: 7-1/2 feet Exterior height: approximately 8-1/2 feet The corbelled dome is constructed with horizontal courses of polypropylene bags with each course inset from the previous course. The inset starts out at about 1 inch at the bottom and increases to about 5 inches on upper courses. There are several building options: Above ground Above ground and bermed with earth Recessed below ground level Built into a hillside buy welded wire netting, either partially or completely underground (with a swale and French drain to divert water). For maximum efficiency as a root cellar, build the dome into the side of a gently sloping hill. The earth will naturally moderate temperature swings. This also eliminates the need to purchase/haul backfill. Note: we didnt have a hill on our land, so we had to truck in backfill to create a berm around our dome. If the dome will be used for food storage, consider locating it within a convenient distance of the kitchen. The first two courses of bags are complete circles bonded with barbed wire. Succeeding courses start at either side of the door opening. Orient the building so the door is opposite prevailing storms and wind. Create a slope in front of the dome so water drains away from the door. One work crew of two or three people is probably best for a structure this size. Its also convenient to have an extra person to run errands. Have someone in charge watch over every process. In our case, I was usually the bag filler and the one placing bags in position. This allowed me to observe each of the following steps: Visually check the moisture content of each bucket load of earth and occasionally test a clump in your hand Tamp the contents in the bag lightly after each bucketful of road base is added. (Note: theres no need to put the tamper in the bag, just pull the bag to one side and tamp the outside.) Push extra road base into the corners as its filled to avoid bulges Create a running bond with staggered joints, as in brick work (avoid ending a bag above another joint) Keep corbel size and bag thickness consistent Check string lines regularly Maintain consistent tamping and accurate level: tamp buy welded wire netting, level, final tamping on high spots. Earthbag Building Terminology Road base: A special clay/gravel mixture used to build roads. Most soils will work just fine. Gravel: Use in rubble trench foundation, first two courses of bags (to prevent wicking) buy welded wire netting, floor and area in front of door. String lines: The center string line establishes the circular shape and is lengthened accordingly to measure each course. The string line that establishes the vertical dome curvature remains a constant length of 112 inches. Bags: You can find woven polypropylene bags by searching for poly sandbags online. This type of bag is used for grain buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, animal feed, fertilizer buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, and flood control so your local hardware or feed store may sell them. For the best deal buy welded wire netting, look for misprinted or barely used bags. Most empty bags measure 18 by 30 inches when flat. Another common size is approximately 20 by 36 inches. Although this larger size will work for the dome buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, the smaller size bags are easier to handle and create a tight radius for a small dome. Bag filling: You can fill the bags using heavy-duty 2-gallon plastic buckets, which are small enough to handle comfortably. Most bags need four buckets of road base to be filled to capacity. In some cases buy welded wire netting, only three buckets of road base are necessary to make a shorter bag to avoid ending a bag above a previous joint. Two rounded shovelfuls of road base fill a 2-gallon bucket perfectly. Or use a sturdy hoe or similar digging tool to reduce shoveling. Even though shoveling is faster, its easier to pull the material into a bucket than to lift the material with a shovel. On the last stroke, a quick flick of the hoe will tilt the bucket upright. To keep bags open when filling buy welded wire netting, use a bucket chute, a funnel made by cutting the bottom inch off of a 4-gallon bucket. Placing bags: On a dome this size, about two to four courses can be laid each day, depending on the strength, endurance buy welded wire netting, and skills of the crew. Small, upper courses go a little faster. Pace yourself buy welded wire netting, take frequent breaks, and allow ample time to study the plans. Just one mistake could cause a lot of extra work. Tamping: We used two tampers: an agile 45-inch one for tamping bag contents during filling, and a 55-inch one. Both can be used for tamping walls, but the long-handled version is easier to apply more force. Each one is made with a 6-by-6-by-3/8-inch plate-steel base, 3/8-inch angled steel ribs, and a 1-3/4-inch pipe to hold the wood handle buy welded wire netting, which is bolted on. You could also buy one for about $10. Leveling: Usually just a few bags per course required a little extra tamping. I attribute this to measuring the contents of each bag and placing them with a bit of care. Retaining walls: The walls in front of the dome prevent backfill and excess water from spilling into the entrance area. They also serve as buttresses and seating. Rebar pins through the bags add reinforcement. You might want to vary the stepped design on the retaining wall slightly and round the plaster edges a little to create a more natural look. Consider using plastic plaster mesh because it wont rust. Attach the mesh directly to the bags with 1-1/2-inch roofing nails. Plaster with two coats of lime plaster: one part lime to 2-1/2 or three parts of clean builders sand. After the plaster is dry, add plastic sheeting behind the retaining wall for added protection against moisture damage. Add another layer of plastic after most of the backfill is complete. Use bitumen to create a waterproof seal between the plastic and the back side of the retaining wall. Arch form: We experimented with old tires to form the door arch, because the time and cost of building a curved form with plywood didnt make sense. We used wood supports under each side of the tires, which were braced side-to-side. This created an opening so we could check the curvature with the string line. Door arch: The semicircular Roman door arch is made with 12-inch-long bags filled from above and tamped with an improvised tamping rod (tree branch). Additional tamping from the sides with a 2-by-4 tamping board creates the necessary taper. You can eyeball the taper, as we did buy welded wire netting, or set up a string line. Door: After all the bags have been laid, make a door frame to fit the space. We used 1-by-2-inch rectangular steel tubing for the sides and bottom of the frame, and an 1/8-by-2-inch steel plate bent to an arch for the top. Try to find recycled wood for the door. A curved branch would make a nice rustic handle. We used a cabinet handle. Weld a hasp to the frame if you want a padlock. Make one or more screened openings in the door for ventilation. Eyebrow (Awning): Use seven peeled buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, rot-resistant 32-inch wood poles, approximately 3 inches in diameter. Western juniper, a common wood for fence posts in the western United States, is an excellent choice. Likewise, use 3/4- to 1-inch diameter peeled juniper branches to cover the eyebrow. Add plaster mesh and lime plaster on the top. Options for Finishing the Earthbag Dome Plaster the entire dome. This is the fastest buy welded wire netting, easiest option to protect the dome if all you need is a tool shed or basic shelter. Mesh isnt required, although its recommended on the areas previously mentioned. Create a living roof with backfill and plants. A living roof is especially appealing and worth the extra effort. This option is best approached as a labor of love because it is time-consuming. Small terraces slow water runoff and make working on the dome much easier. We chose a drought-resistant sod thats used by the highway department, and getting it established was still tricky because water runs off the steep areas quite rapidly. Our plan is to use the sod to anchor the soil, then gradually add lots of plants and flowers for a more natural look and the pleasure of harvesting fresh herbs. First, cover the entire dome with 6-mil black plastic by overlapping two 12-foot wide pieces. Add backfill in layers at a 45-degree slope by walking on it and tamping lightly. After the backfill is nearly up to the desired level, cover the entire surface (including the backfill) with 6-mil black plastic. Add a third layer of plastic on the top buy welded wire netting, down to the eyebrow level. Next, add poly fishnet over the entire dome to give the soil and roots something to grab onto. We used poly shade screen on the top, but we discovered fishnet works better and is less expensive. Starting at the bottom, add a 3- to 4-inch layer of soil on top of the fishnet. Randomly shoveling earth could leave thin spots. Instead, work methodically to cover one area at a time. Tamp as you go to keep soil in place. The top of the dome requires extra care. We made an 8-inch wall around the sides and back of the dome with lots of stomping. The steep areas on either side of the eyebrow and the area near the top call for a different method. Use your hands to create a miniature earth wall with a flat ledge on top. A soil with high clay content works best in these areas. After final shaping and raking buy welded wire netting, add more fishnet to the top quarter of the dome to help hold the sod in place. Then add sod and/or plants. Youll need about 70 square yards. We used 2-inch-long pieces of split bamboo to hold the sod in position until the roots became established. One sprinkler on the top will water the entire living roof if you have good water pressure. Step-by-Step Building Schedule Day 1: Use temporary stakes to mark building location. Remove and stockpile topsoil (to cover the dome later), then level the building site. Stockpile road base around the dome site in a continuous U-shaped pile about 4-feet high by 8-feet wide at the base. Day 2: Place a permanent stake to mark the center of the dome buy welded wire netting, and attach a string line to measure 4 feet to where the inside edge of the first course (row) of bags will be. Measure and stake out where the retaining walls will go. Make a rubble trench foundation (trench filled with gravel) at least several inches larger than the width of your bags, digging down to solid mineral soil (often a sand/gravel/clay consistency). A rubble trench foundation eliminates the need to go below frost line. Make the rubble trench foundation under the retaining walls at the same time. Fill the trench with 4- to 6-inch layers of tamped 3/4-inch crushed aggregate until 6 inches below finish grade (the top of where the soil was before you dug the foundation). A special mix of aggregates, 5/8-inch minus, also works well. Place the first course of gravel-filled earthbags, double-bagged for extra strength, in the trench. It takes three 2-gallon buckets of gravel to fill a bag. To avoid folded bag ends protruding from the wall, simply fold the ends toward the middle of the bag and then tuck them underneath as theyre placed. The top of the first course will be right at finish grade. Tamp the course after all bags are in place. Then lay one strand of barbed wire down the center (two strands if the dome is more than 14 feet in diameter) buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, held in place with bricks or rocks. Overlap the ends of the barbed wire about 12 inches and fasten them together with tie wire. Repeat the process for the second course, overlapping each joint and tamping each course after the bags are in place. Starting with the second course, fill each bag on the wall on a sheet metal slider. This enables bags to be adjusted. Lift the bag slightly and remove the slider with a quick pull after the bag is in its final position. The first two courses of bags are complete circles (plus the retaining wall portions) bonded with barbed wire. Succeeding courses start at either side of the door opening. Looking down from above, bag ends abut each other at an angle. Its easy to create these angled ends with a few whacks of a 2-by-4. Also buy welded wire netting, remember to check both string lines after each course has been laid. Day 3: Lay the first three and a half courses of bags with road base. For our size bags (18-by-30 inches), we used four buckets of road base per bag. The length of full bags with the end folded under should be 18 inches. Lightly tamp the contents two to three times after adding each bucketful. Full bags measure about 8 inches high and compact to about 4 to 5 inches high. Its easy to adjust the size of bags by adding or subtracting one or two shovels of road base. For the first few courses, create the vertical dome curvature by lining up each course with the inside of the previous course. After tamping buy welded wire netting, the bags will expand and create a gradual curve toward the center of the dome. The retaining wall seating area is 15 inches above finish grade, which consists of one course of gravel-filled bags above grade and two courses of road-base-filled bags. The retaining wall is four bags long. Insert the first two steel door anchors between courses 3 and 4. Earthbags expand horizontally as they are tamped and will throw off the door-opening size unless it is adequately braced. To prevent this problem buy welded wire netting, build a sturdy door form that supports the tires and includes braces to resist the horizontal thrust. Use two 28-inch tires wired together to form the arch. Day 4: Lay the next two and a half courses (we had a short crew this day). Increase corbel size to about 1 1/2 inches. Insert the second set of steel door anchors between courses 6 and 7. Each course of the retaining wall steps in about 8 inches. This works out nicely because this is about the length of half a bag, meaning each course on the top of the retaining wall is half a bag shorter than the previous one buy welded wire netting, which creates a stair stepped effect. Day 5: Lay the next two courses buy welded wire netting buy welded wire netting, increasing the corbel to about 2 inches. Insert the third set of steel door anchors between courses 9 and 10. Be sure to align the anchors vertically so the door will be plumb. The bottom anchor aligns with the inside wall; the top anchor aligns with the exterior of the dome; and the middle anchor is in between. The top of the retaining wall is course 10, which is also the same level the door arch begins. The distance from the bottom of the door opening to the beginning of the arch is about 48 inches. We stood on plastic crates for courses 9 and 10 (or you can use ladders). We started filling bags by standing on top of the wall with course 11. The first door-arch bag (12-inch tall tapered bags that form the arch) starts at course 11. Fill arch bags from above, tamping the contents in place with a 2-inch round stick or equivalent. Arch bags taper towards the center of the tires. I just eyeballed the alignment by standing back a few feet, but you could create a more accurate angle with a string line from the center point. (For the string line option, youll need to screw a piece of wood across the center of the tire in order to attach the string line.) Connect the arch bags to the rest of the dome with barbed wire. Embed the first two eyebrow poles on top of course 11. They are placed approximately 29 inches on either side of the door opening, perpendicular to the door. The first two poles protrude about 9 inches. The next course of earthbags will mold themselves over the poles buy welded wire netting, securely locking them in position. Day 6: Use a ladder while laying the next two courses. Continue adding arch bags around the tires as you go. Embed the next two poles on top of course 12. They are placed 16 inches on either side of the door opening, perpendicular to the door. The second two poles protrude about 13 inches. Note: Poles do not protrude into the interior of the dome. Day 7: Finish the arch, lay the next