How many of you are wearing out wire cutters?

I was just curious if you guys were having the same problem I am, I started out with channel lock side cutters and they were good, but I wore out the cutting edges in about a month. I got em replaced under warrenty and then later on I bought some knipex diagonals that are supposed to be top of the line, I wore them sum *****es out in a month and a half. I use em allot for cutting copper lines and bigger stuff but knipex said thos diagonal could cut piano wire! Are you guys wearing out your cutters as fast as i am? Also what brand are the cutters your wearing out.

we use bolt cutters when we can you can cut thru a whole wiring harness easily, cheaper tools but you can get a 5pc kobalt set here at lowes on sale pretty regularfor 9.99 with a pair of side cutters in them.

Channellock side cutters last about 2 months for me. I've tried a lot of brands and they all seem to last about the same amount of time. Just the cost of doing business I guess.

I have the same problem. I'm glad I'm not the only one going through wire cutters so frequently. I recently purchased this from Menards:http://www.menards.com/main/tools-ha...548-c-9123.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/store/20...98MultiCut.jpg

It takes standard utility blades which are much cheaper to replace than wire cutters. Plus it works awesome on ribbon cables.

I use to use channel lock.. but then roam around one day, I found a DeWalt side cutters in the DeWalt section. It was cheaper (for some reason. @ 15.00)) but it lasts a lot longer and i think it is also sharper.

most of my side cutters are snap-on, blue point, or mac...so they get replaced for free when my distributor comes around

I have had these for almost a year and still work good.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Greenlee wire cutters last forever you just have to resharpen them. They are 150 a pair and have no problems cutting through anything copper perfect for 1 inch wire or smaller.

Heres the link for the smaller ones

http://www.greenlee.com/archive/ma5218.pdf

They even have battery operated ones never used them so I can't vouch for them.

http://www.mygreenlee.com/GreenleeDo...db_next_page=1

Now the big dawgs

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CH0Q8wIwBA

if you are serious go with the last pair of cutters you will ever buy

http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pub...JUK_JfXAsznd5P

I use the following depending on what I am cutting:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_117875-10461...cetInfo=KNIPEX

http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...AID=1049148529

What are you cutting with the Knipex to wear them out? I use the above Knipex for most anything copper from motor windings to 5/8" braided to heavy romex.....cuts like a hot knife thru butter. Love the high leverage handle length.

I use harbor freight special, and lowes side cutters.

I bought a pack of harbor freight special side cutters about 6 months ago. 5 of the 6 wore out, 1 even broke right in half. The sixth, i'm still using today. It's outlasted 4 lowes cutters. Not even dull yet. I cut probably around 2-400 wires a day. Ranging in size. Even use these to pull the pins out of the aluminum heat sinks, and trim off board pieces. I just can't get these things to quit. I dig it.

so whats the best? also whats the cheapest that still work well?

Ditto on the Knipex.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Victor

I use the following depending on what I am cutting:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_117875-10461...cetInfo=KNIPEX

http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stor...AID=1049148529

What are you cutting with the Knipex to wear them out? I use the above Knipex for most anything copper from motor windings to 5/8" braided to heavy romex.....cuts like a hot knife thru butter. Love the high leverage handle length.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gogetter

so whats the best? also whats the cheapest that still work well?

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The best ones are the ones that work when you need em to. The cheapest doesn't matter because they don't work well anyway.

I'll have to try these " wire cutters" sometime. I've been wearing my teeth out! Seriously, if you drink enough...you'll never realize that your side snip are wearing out. You tend to blame it on the alcohol.

I haven't worn my cutter out, and it's old. Something my dad had years ago in construction. No idea what brand, it's worn off.

BTW, Oreo likes your waving flag.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11-2031-be.jpg

Great picture Idaho. You must have good eyes! I think Aussikid has a bigger monitor!

I also have an old pair of dikes that just seem to keep going and going.

For bigger wire I agree with Jack. A good pair of cable cutters are the way to go! I have the 7" cable cutter and the 18" cable cutter. They cut stainless steel cable with ease so copper is nothing for them.

Will add pics in a minute

Most electricians prefer Klein tools, myself included. They tend to last longer than the other brands.

The thing about wire cutting tools like side cutters and diagonal pliers (or "dikes" for short) is that they are made for cutting wire only. If yours are wearing out fast that means you are using them to cut things they are not designed for. I usually only have to replace them because I cut a live wire leaving a hole (AKA "idiot mark") in the middle that renders them useless.

Used to be that if a pair of Klein tools was worn out they would replace them for free. I don't know if they do that anymore but it might be worth checking into at an electrical supply store.

i use tin snips more than anything for cutting. i have only cut my own hand maybe three times from working too fast

http://www.toolstation.com/images/li...bbig/20992.jpg