FYI, I just got back from Harbor Freight in Springfield, MO.  24" bolt cutters are on sale for  $8.49.  I don't know if this is a nation wide sale but it might be worth checking.

I have heard that they changed the style and the new models have a shorter jaw that wont work for building a rivit tool. Just what Ive heard. However that does seem like a real good deal and hopefully Im wrong.

damn, I just got back from there

oh well, I got the $16 6" digital calipers.  worth it to me, this way I dont have to worry if I break the damn thing.

You might want to take a look at these. Bolt cutters are supplied with the customized rivet squeeze jaws.

Quoted: I have heard that they changed the style and the new models have a shorter jaw that wont work for building a rivit tool. Just what Ive heard. However that does seem like a real good deal and hopefully Im wrong.

Nah you can grind off the connecting plate for the extra clearance and you should be OK.  I'm going to try that on a new "loaner" set myself but haven't gotten around to the grinding - yet.

We are having the same sale at Harbor Freight here in Cincinnat. I picked up a set!i

Quoted: Quoted: I have heard that they changed the style and the new models have a shorter jaw that wont work for building a rivit tool. Just what Ive heard. However that does seem like a real good deal and hopefully Im wrong. Nah you can grind off the connecting plate for the extra clearance and you should be OK.  I'm going to try that on a new "loaner" set myself but haven't gotten around to the grinding - yet.

Thanks for clearing that up I always enjoy reading your posts and love your site.

I just bought a set of the 18" ones today to replace a jaw that I broke on a set that I bought.  And like Pookie said all you have to do is narrow the connector plate and they work like a dream.  A word of advice for all of us rivet squeezers.  If your rivet seems way too hard to squeeze, check and make sure you aren't trying to squeeze the trunnion with the rivet.  I found out that I was squeezing the trunnion when the jaw on my squeezer let out a loud "crack" and the flat side of the squeezer went flying at about the speed of sound across my basement.  So now I wear safety glasses and would ask all of you to do the same.