Side cutting plier with return spring

Status
Not open for further replies.

Grossel

Well-Known Member
Hi folks.

Have a cheap side cutting plier (just calling it scp for short hereafter), and since I'm in the process of salvaging parts from an old car, there is a lot of wires to cut.

So I figured I need a better one, and bought a plier from bacho (this one) that have a so called return spring in the shaft. Since it's just a few hour since and it was quite epensive and my wallet still cries of agony

I haven't being able to find any usable information on this online, but I guess it is meant to dampen the sudden movement when the wire snap in half. I haven't used it on any hard material yet to test I must admit.

What is your thoughts on this patented spring, do you think it deserves the price range (about 6x more expensive than the cheap scp) ?

Anyone having any first hand experience about this feature of a scp? Something nice to have in hand or just unnecessary expensive ? (should probably asked before buying)
 
If you were rippping out cables, I'd suggest something like: https://www.amazon.com/Journeyman-Leverage-Klein-Tools-J63050/dp/B00093GCK0

With thes you can cut a piece of SO cable easily.

For cutting leads off components, this https://www.amazon.com/Xuron-Purpose-Flush-Cutter-Blue/dp/B002N1OXKC is the way t o go
They can be had a springs. Best to cut small wires from resistors, not 18 AWG. I have broken the ends.
They cut and the leads don't fly. Anything hard breaks the jaw.

That first air of plyiers will be much better than what you suggested. I have a smaller pair for cutting coax cable., but I bought similar to the first one to cut 14AWG copper wire into bits to make material for a copper evaporation source.

They both work for soft copper.

It does take something different to cut piano wire.
 

Presumably it simply springs the cutters open, as most cutter also have - the 'clever part' is that it's switchable, personally I don't like spring loaded cutters, and usually remove the spring.

They are only low cost cutters anyway - Lindstrom are the ones that used to make your wallet cry - but they lasted for decades.

They used to hand out Lindstrom 625D's at college (the same cutters as I owned, and still do) in practical lessons, but before they did they locked the doors - and wouldn't reopen the doors until all had been counted back in

After 30+ years use my 625D's will still cut a hair right at the tip - but they cost a few weeks wages, if not months?.
 
As Nigel says, it's just to open the handles out again, ready for the next cut.

It's pretty much standard on smaller electronics type sidecutters, but not so common on large ones. I've not seen a "switchable" one before though.

Those are not expensive, at least by UK standards - about the same as we pay for small electronics cutters we expect to wear out routinely.

(And I also agree with Nigel about Lindstrom - we have a couple of tiny pairs around 30 years old, 7191 type - still like new despite a lot of use, but they cost crazy amounts back then & still not cheap now).
 
KeepItSimpleStupid said:
If you were rippping out cables, I'd suggest something like: https://www.amazon.com/Journeyman-Leverage-Klein-Tools-J63050/dp/B00093GCK0
Click to expand...
Thanks for suggestion, but that one is too rough, I need to cut a single wire at a time usually. I do have bigger tools more appropriate for cutting multiple wires if I need to do just that.

rjenkinsgb said:
As Nigel says, it's just to open the handles out again, ready for the next cut.

It's pretty much standard on smaller electronics type sidecutters, but not so common on large ones. I've not seen a "switchable" one before though.
Click to expand...
Yes, I figured you right. I somehow get the idea that the spring had another function as well, but of course that doesn't make much sense.

rjenkinsgb said:
Those are not expensive, at least by UK standards - about the same as we pay for small electronics cutters we expect to wear out routinely.
Click to expand...
Ok, I was in the impression that this scp I just bought was expensive, but if that is regarded non-expensive by professional, what features does a really expensive scp possess?
 
Last edited:
augustinetez said:
They can be resharpened - a quick run up on a grinder along the flat side brings them back to as new cutting wise.

Obviously gently, gently on the grinder and don't get them hot.
Click to expand...
Once "sharpened" don't expect to cut any 30-gauge wires with any reliability and you may have trouble completely cleaving 22 or 24 gauge wire - depending on how steady your hand is and flat your grinder is. You might have more luck on a stone.
 
gophert said:
Once "sharpened" don't expect to cut any 30-gauge wires with any reliability and you may have trouble completely cleaving 22 or 24 gauge wire - depending on how steady your hand is and flat your grinder is. You might have more luck on a stone.
Click to expand...

Why? I have sharpened them and they still cut just as good as new. You don't grind the bevels you grind the flat, outside edge like augustineteze said. Hold the handles tightly together and hold the flat side against the wheel, or like I do my belt sander. The bevels are on the inside of the cutting edge like in the video posted by BUK. Now if your talking the wire cutter's on the jaws of the pliers in post #8 that's a whole different ball game, and they aren't even made for small gauge wire.

.
 
shortbus= said:
The bevels are on the inside of the cutting edge like in the video posted by BUK. Now if your talking the wire cutter's on the jaws of the pliers in post #8 that's a whole different ball game, and they aren't even made for small gauge wire.
Click to expand...
I think you got the two mixed up?

Mine in post 8 are a small electronics type flush cut.

The pair in Buk's "how not to" video are large double bevel ones; you can see them clearly a few seconds in:

 
No, I'm talking about the fine side-cutters, especially the Xcellite-style shears for fine wires (more like a scissors than a pinching action).
 
gophert said:
No, I'm talking about the fine side-cutters, especially the Xcellite-style shears for fine wires (more like a scissors than a pinching action).
Click to expand...

Remember those are examples that are worn out, bent, sloppy and generally ready for the bin, just saved to avoid abusing newer ones!

Brand new out the packing, they do come with a perfect flat-ground finish and very precise edge-to-edge cut, no overlap:

 
gophert said:
No, I'm talking about the fine side-cutters, especially the Xcellite-style shears
Click to expand...

Didn't realize what those were showing in post #8. When I saw notches in the jaws I thought they were pliers, that have a bypass cutter near the joint. Like a pair of slip joint pliers.

That said I have sharpened many many sets of shears too. And they cut like new afterward.
 
rjenkinsgb said:
Brand new out the packing, they do come with a perfect flat-ground finish and very precise edge-to-edge cut, no overlap:
Click to expand...

OK seeing them like that, my earlier post on sharpening stands. But the hing that makes sharpening cutters like that work is to keep pressure on the handles, to keep a grinding burr from forming. Doing it like that also keeps the very edge from over heating and getting soft while grinding.

When I was still working I was a die/tool maker and responsible for keeping things in good condition.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

RJ45 used as RS485 - why not properly wire-compatible with cat5 cable
Replies
4
Views
4K
Grossel
A
  • Locked
Double/Two sided Whiteboard product.
Replies
0
Views
1K
akerkarprashant100
A
What can you do with your old PC?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Electroenthusiast
S
How do I motivate myself to study with 100% focus and concentration during covid lockdown?
Replies
5
Views
3K
tvrgeek
T
Famous people you were at school with?.
Replies
16
Views
3K
MaxHeadRoom78
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…