Side Cutters Advice

[harmonic]

Hi all,

I've managed to dull and notch my cheap side cutters over the past wee while. I'm looking into getting a replacement but there are several possible routes to go, each with a ton of options and price points.

I don't have a limitless budget so most expensive is out, but I also don't want to be replacing these ones in 6 months time because I went with the super-cheap option.

Can you guys make a recommendation for a particular brand/model that I should look out for, or more generally, features I should make sure it has (hardened steel, etc)? Would love to hear about what you're using.

Ta muchly!

[Earthscum]

If you're in the US, track down a Snap-On, Matco (my preference), Mac... If you made friends at an automotive shop of any sort, you can ask them when the guys come by (once a week). You can step on the truck (don't drool on the tools...) and actually check the cutters out. Yes, they WILL cost more than the ones you've looked at, but... they are lifetime warranty. You break them, they just give you new ones. You run over them in the gutter and bend them, they will just replace them. You wear them out, they replace them. Some things you WANT to get a little extra... as well, the quality will show. Nice, clean, accurate cuts. You may not think much of it, but if you get a pair you will fall in love and understand after ten minutes of snipping away at the bottom of a freshly populated board.

Also... if you tell the guy exactly what you are doing with them, he'll probably get you a set that is designed just for smaller work, precision tip... again, lifetime warranty. Anything like this that you may wear out, a person should consider these guys. In 3 or 4 years when you finally have to get a new set, you'll know it's free.

[harmonic]

Thanks for the reply! I don't know anyone that works in that industry and would be unlikely to be able to stump up the required moollah for a lifetime guarantee anyway!

Anyone else care to chime in?

[arawn]

Kobalt tools at lowes, for like $20 i got a complete precision set, pliers, needlenose x2, diagonal and side cutters. I have had them for about a year now maybe a little longer and so far so good.

[theundeadelvis]

Kobalt carried a lifetime warranty, as does Allen, Husky, Greatneck and Craftsman. You can probably find one of these at any of the big box stores. Not sure what their side cuts are like (or if all the brands I listed make one), but I bet you can find a decent one with a lifetime warranty fairly inexpensively.

[aron]

There's one at Sears. It's very good. It's a precision type cutter.

[Ben N]

... but if you get a pair you will fall in love...

Makes sense. 

[Earthscum]

Steer clear of Crapsman. They replace it with the non-name set. You only get one replacement. That's on certain things like cutters and snips. Their warranty has a lot of fine print. Kobalt and Husky should be cheaper equivilants of snap on and mac. They run pro line, but you are only saving a couple bucks.

[theundeadelvis]

Steer clear of Crapsman. They replace it with the non-name set. You only get one replacement. That's on certain things like cutters and snips. Their warranty has a lot of fine print. Kobalt and Husky should be cheaper equivilants of snap on and mac. They run pro line, but you are only saving a couple bucks.

Craftsman's quality has definitely gone down hill, but I've never experienced this. I warranty stuff with them all the time, and some things repeatedly and frequently (like allen wrench sets), and have never had an issue? Not saying what you said isn't true, but I haven't experienced it.

[defaced]

I haven't put them through their paces yet, but these flush cutters from Rat Shack are holding up so far. 
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3932532#

My test for side cutters are to clip guitar strings.  If they don't dent on strings, they'll survive what I'm going to do to them.  I haven't tried that with these yet.  I've got a bigger, proven, pair I usually use for that. 

[PRR]

> My test for side cutters are to clip guitar strings.

My rule is NEVER use the good electronics cutters on ANY steel.

The older cheaper RS dikes last many years if only used for wire and part-leads.

I have other cutters for steel wire and strings.

[John Lyons]

These work well, day after day.

http://www.amazon.com/Plato-Flush-Cutters-Made-U-S/dp/B0046HOQHG

As mentioned above. Use them on copper resistor and cap leads only.
Use regular old side cutters for strings and steel  things.

[smallbearelec]

Most people know me for parts. However, I do offer a pretty carefully curated tool shack as well. This article:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/Tools/Tools.htm

may help you with making choices, whether or not you shop int the Cave.

Regards
SD

[defaced]

> My test for side cutters are to clip guitar strings.

My rule is NEVER use the good electronics cutters on ANY steel.

The older cheaper RS dikes last many years if only used for wire and part-leads.

I have other cutters for steel wire and strings.

I didn't say use it on steel, I said that's a test if they're good or not. If they fail, they get returned. 

[Processaurus]

Some of them shoot the wire ends across the room and others don't for some reason.  The sharp, thin ones seem to be shooters.

[harmonic]

Thanks for all the input!

Do these seem like a decent investment?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110741102207

Cheers!

[Philippe]

Can you guys make a recommendation for a particular brand/model that I should look out for, or more generally, features I should make sure it has (hardened steel, etc)? Would love to hear about what you're using.

If the cutters say 'Made In China' try to avoid them...the insulation sleevings often tend to slide downwards, the return springs go out of alignment & the metal is questionable. They're OK for a 'quicky' job but unsatisfactory for the long haul or extended usage. Snap-Ons are outstanding but border on cost overkill unless one is a professional who actually makes money using them. Interesting to learn that Craftsman has gone downhill...where are they made now?

[defaced]

Thanks for all the input!

Do these seem like a decent investment?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110741102207

Cheers!

Tungsten carbide, if dropped on a hard surface from any distance (say your garage floor from hand height), may chip.  They may be fine cutters, but carbide is not a forgiving material. 

[harmonic]

Ok, that's really good to know. Is there any advantage to using TC?

Any other makes out there? I think the USA market is well covered in this thread; any UK/Euro companies/links out there?

[defaced]

Tungsten carbide will stay sharper much longer than high strength or tool steel, basically it's got great wear resistance properties because its so hard, which also means its very brittle.  It's often used for inserts in machining applications.  It's a great material for what it does, just not necessarily the best one for a hand tool IMO.  

Personally, I'd walk into a known retailer of quality tools in your area, and buy a pair of cutters that have cutting edges that match up.  If you inspect poorly made cutters, the cutting surfaces usually don't meet up.  There will either be a gap along their length when they're fully closed or the cutting surfaces won't line up if you look straight down on them from the top.  Also note how easy it is to open/close cutters and pick one that feels good to you.  Ignore the price tag until you have a couple that look and feel good, then decide.  Expensive doesn't always mean better, and inexpensive doesn't necessary mean poorly made.