Nut splitters are sized according to the nut sizes they are designed to split. This size can be given as either the measurement across the nuts flats, in either metric or imperial measurements, or the bolt size.
What does across flats mean?
Across flats (AF) in regard to nuts and bolts is the distance between the two opposite flat surfaces of a nut or bolt head. This distance can be measured in either imperial units (inches and fractions of inches) or metric (millimetres).
What nut sizes can be split?
Screw action nut splitters can be used on nuts as small as 4mm (5/32″) AF and large as 50mm (2″) AF. However, you would need several screw action nut splitters to cover this range of sizes, as a nut splitter designed to split a 4mm nut will only be capable of splitting nuts up to around 10mm.
If you need to split a large range of nut sizes then it might be best to purchase a set of nut splitters. These will usually include four to five nut splitters covering all of the most common sizes of nut.
How long are nut splitters?
Along with the nut size that each nut splitter is capable of splitting, the length of the nut splitter may also be given. This is the distance from the outside edge of the frame to to end of the handle.
It may be necessary to know this measurement as the handle length can sometimes prevent the nut splitter from fitting into certain spaces if there are obstructions near the nut you need to remove. In such circumstances you may have to use a C-frame nut splitter with an offset handle to get at the nut.
Ring frame nut splitters are usually between roughly 80 and 200mm (3⅛”-8″) in length depending on the size of nuts they are designed to split. C-frame nut splitters have less variation in their size with most models being about 200mm (8″) in length.
How wide are nut splitters?
The width of a nut splitter is measured across its widest point, which is usually the frame. Ring frame nut splitters typically have a width of between 30 and 80mm (1¼”-3⅛”), whereas C-frame nut splitters are about 50mm (2″) wide. As with the length, the width of a nut splitter can be a factor as to whether it can be used in situations where the nut is located in a confined space.
What size are hydraulic nut splitters?
Hydraulic nut splitters are designed for use on large nuts, meaning the smallest nuts they can be used on are around 30mm (1¼”) AF. Like screw action nut splitters, each hydraulic nut splitter can only split nuts in a certain range of sizes, so several maybe needed to cover all the different size nuts you require.
Hydraulic nut splitters are readily available in sizes capable of splitting nuts up to 165mm (6½”) AF. Manufacturers offer special custom sizes for larger nuts, but these will obviously cost more.
