Recommend best Wire Cutter?

[sbelyo]

I use one of the cooper tools models for flush cutting on pcb's (green handle)
Mouser $20.00

I use craftsman professional for 30 - 12 awg stranded and solid
Sears $10.00

I use Ideal Data-T cutters for coax, and bundled wire (yellow handle)
contacteast or Home depot Over $20.00 I think

I use xcelite for cutting plastic only no wire or metal.

 

[Oink1]

Stop your local Snap-On dealer and see what they do..

*edit* You need snap on part EPC160 - site won't let me link to it for some reason so surf on over to the Snap-On site and search the part number

 

[Jose Perez]

FYI Parts Express has THESE for sale at $5.90 apiece and is ofering a $4.00 rebate on them. Not a bad cutter for $2

Here's a pic:

 

[blip]

I've been using a craftsman pair and love it.

 

[dviswa]

Well, I am not an audiophile, surely I cannot afford $315 for cutters.

How about << 315c? I have been using this for years and years. The best cutter is...


Believe it or not a 1$ nail cutter

These nail cutters last for ever, and I don't care if I misplaced them. They let me snip leads real close to the boards.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dviswa Well, I am not an audiophile, surely I cannot afford $315 for cutters. How about << 315c? I have been using this for years and years. The best cutter is... Believe it or not a 1$ nail cutter These nail cutters last for ever, and I don't care if I misplaced them. They let me snip leads real close to the boards.

LOL, since most nail cutters have a concave curve, they are most definitely not flush cutting.

-Ed

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbelyo I use one of the cooper tools models for flush cutting on pcb's (green handle) Mouser $20.00 I use craftsman professional for 30 - 12 awg stranded and solid Sears $10.00 I use Ideal Data-T cutters for coax, and bundled wire (yellow handle) contacteast or Home depot Over $20.00 I think I use xcelite for cutting plastic only no wire or metal.

That's pretty much the direction I'm headed. A cutter for each different material.

-Ed

 

[mono]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood LOL, since most nail cutters have a concave curve, they are most definitely not flush cutting. -Ed

Depends on what you call "most". There was a time when the older style was more common, for example.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mono Depends on what you call "most". There was a time when the older style was more common, for example.

LOL, if anyone came at me with any of those for clipping my fingernails, I'd think they were trying to cut off more than just a nail.

-Ed

 

[dviswa]

Before laughing at the suggestion please give it a try.

It was back when I was in high school and started to doing small projects, you know, oscillator, crystal radio etc., a friend of mine told me to use a regular nail cutter and have been happy with it since. Back then these projects were financed by my allowance. There was always a budget crunch. Later when I had my own manufacturing unit, I would buy regular cutters for my employees, but would continue to use my favorite nail cutter. The concave surface has no impact on how close to the board you can cut.

 

[NOTHINGness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bg4533 I also have a Felco C7 . I have it for cutting bike cables. I use it ocassionally for DIY stuff. It is probably not the most ideal cutter for DIY, but it does work well.

So are you saying you steal bikes to fund your DIY addiction?

I personality would recommend getting a pair from a manufacturer who has a lifetime warranty like Craftsman, Matco, or Snap-on. Saves ever needing to buy another pair.

 

[bg4533]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOTHINGness So are you saying you steal bikes to fund your DIY addiction?

the cutter is too small to cut through bike locks. The cutters necessary for that are too big to carry around and conceal.

I use these to cut brake cables. People ride away and wreck a few feet later. I laugh at their pain and walk away with their bike

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bg4533 the cutter is too small to cut through bike locks. The cutters necessary for that are too big to carry around and conceal. I use these to cut brake cables. People ride away and wreck a feet later. I laugh at their pain and walk away with their bike

LOL. You should have enough to buy a nice Erem Cutter by now.

Or maybe a real soldering station.

-Ed

 

[individual6891]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 a bit expensive for a cutter imo

A bit?!?!?!

I use these. They cost about $3 each, pretty much bullet proof, I have used them to cut trim metal screws, wires, components leads, mains cables (without the power on ofc). I have 3 of them, stole 2 from college stock - but none of them have broken at all. I dont see the point in wire cutters costing more than $5 at max! Also I have similar nose pliers and wire strippers which cost about the same, they have lasted 3 years of very intense project working!

 

[bg4533]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood LOL. You should have enough to buy a nice Erem Cutter by now. Or maybe a real soldering station. -Ed

The Hakko is doing well so far. The money I saved over a Metcal bought me an oscilloscope. Now I can see how bad my DIY work really is

Did you decide on Erem cutters?