How to sharpen wire cutters?

A pair of wire cutters is an essential household tool. Some wire cutters can be used to do double duty as strippers and cutters. In the art of Bonsai, miniature trees are grown and shaped using wires, making wire cutters an essential tool. The blades on your cutters could dull after some time of use. If they become dull, sharpening them is a breeze.

A lot of people say that rather than investing in an expensive pair of cutters that will inevitably dull, you should just get a whole new set. However, a fine hand file is required if you intend to keep your cutters.

You can buy sets of hand files in varying degrees of coarseness or fineness. This indicates that the file’s texture is either very large and will significantly deplete whatever it is rubbed against, or very small and will have little effect (fine). If you need greater precision and control, switch to a fine-textured file.

Using a fine hand file is recommended for sharpening wire cutters due to the small surface area of metal to be worked on. One must file the cutter on both sides. Use the file to lightly rub each blade, taking care not to overwork them. Overuse of the file will wear away the blade’s surface, making it impossible for the cutters to close (and function).

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What are the different types of wire cutters?

Almost every industry and occupation in the modern world requires the use of wire cutters in some capacity. There are probably as many varieties of wire cutters as there are wire types.

Quality wire cutters are essential for professionals across many fields, including jewellers, doctors, electricians, auto mechanics, florists, and even firefighters. Even though most specialised wire cutters are useless for the do-it-yourself market, every handyman should have a few different kinds of wire cutters on hand.

Hakko CHP170 Flush Cutter

Miniature wire cutter effective for cutting wire as thick as 16 guage (1.3mm). This cutter’s nonslip handle makes it ideal for use in electronics and jewellery projects that you might undertake on your own.

The presence of a spike on the wire is undesirable in many contexts, including jewellery making, flower arranging, and electronics repair. This is where a flush-cutter with rounded edges comes in handy.

Reduced bevels on the cutting edges mean less force is required to cut through the wire, which is a huge benefit for workers who make hundreds of cuts every day, even if the cut faces of the wire aren’t perfectly flush. Using a shoddy instrument can cause exhaustion and a medical condition called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is often treated with surgery.

Xuron Micro Shear Cutter

Shear cutters are the most efficient and gentle of all the different types of side cutters. Care must be taken when cutting, however, because excessive force used during the cut can dull the blades.

The best tools of this type will have an adjustment or set screw to keep the blades from re-contacting after use. When searching for a new pair of shear cutters, this is the first thing you should check for.

Whizzotech Diagonal Pliers (Side Cutter)

These cutters, as their name implies, provide a cut at an angle, and they are the most popular among professionals everywhere. Side-cutters, diagonal cutters, dykes, and diags are all names for this tool.

These cutters are commonly used in the electrical industry to slice through copper or aluminium electrical conductors with ease. However, side-cutters are ubiquitous in any industry where working with flexible wire is necessary.

Side-cutters, on the other hand, leave a sharp spike on the wire because the jaws break the wire rather than sever it cleanly. Normal side-cutters are the best option when the resulting spike is not an issue because they are inexpensive and a high-quality tool can last for many years.

Cutting steel wire, nails, screws, fencing wire, or anything else more sturdy than copper or aluminium with side-cutters is strictly forbidden. If they do, they risk permanently damaging their jaws, rendering them useless for any kind of cutting.

For clean, precise cuts, side-cutters are also an option.

End Cutting Pliers

The jaws of end-cutting pliers are half-circles, and the cutting edges are perpendicular to the tool’s shaft. This enables clean, close-to-the-surface removal of fasteners such as nails, screws, and rivets.

Since the jaws are rounded, they can be used as a lever to pry out nails and screws from wood.

The jaws of a good pair of end cutting pliers should close so tightly that no space can be seen between them; this ensures that the cutting edges are in full contact across the entire width of the jaws. The joint connecting the two handles shouldn’t have any slack, either.

Insulated Wire Cutters

In order to prevent electrical shocks, insulated versions of most common types of wire cutters are readily available. Nonetheless, one must take caution not to mistake the plastic or rubber coating on the handles of common tools for actual electrical insulation.

Soft-grip handles, included on most wire cutters to improve their usability, do not protect the user from electrocution, however.

Avoid the cheap, low-quality tools sold in auto parts stores and other non-specialist retailers if you need a pair of insulated wire cutters.

You probably don’t want to get an electric shock after using one of these tools only to find out that the thick plastic coating wasn’t designed to withstand high voltage.

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Lineman’s Wire Cutters

This tool, which goes by many names including combination cutter, is the workhorse of the wire-cutting family. In addition to having broad, flat jaws for grasping, these tools have cutting edges, like those on side-cutters, located just ahead of the pivot point.

With the help of the levering action of the long handles, they can effortlessly cut through steel fencing wire, thick nails, or even steel screws.

In addition, the cutting action of these pliers is frequently reminiscent of a guillotine. In each handle, you’ll find a groove that’s located near the joint’s pivot.

By opening the handles, the two grooves are brought into alignment, and by closing them, the shearing action of the cutting edges on the inner side of the grooves makes short work of practically any nail, screw, or small steel rod.

Needle-Nose Wire Cutters

Sharply tapered jaws on Needle-nose wire cutters make it simple for electricians to bend and insert wires into switch-gear in electrical panels, where there is often not enough room for any other type of pliers or cutters.

Ultra-Flush Side-Cutters

Cutting with these tools is a breeze because there are almost no bevels on the blades; this is especially useful when working with jewellery or electronics.

While this type of cutter requires even less force to make a cut than a standard flush cutter, its blades are extremely delicate, so it’s important to avoid damaging them by cutting anything other than soft copper or aluminium conductors.

XURON 2175 Maxi Shear Flush Cutter

This is a great wire cutter for making jewellery and wire wrapping. Fine silver, bronze, gold, and platinum wire can all be flush cut. Titanium, steel, and memory wire are not compatible with this cutter’s blade.

How to take care of your cutters?

Whatever you do, your cutters will eventually become dull. When you clean the cutters after each use, you can make them last much longer. They can be washed and dried after being cleaned with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Bleach is another option for disinfecting and cleaning them. WD40 (a rust-preventative oil) or lighter fluid can be used to remove sap from trees and plants, as well as other sticky substances. Once your cutters are dry, you should lightly oil them and then put them away until you need them again.

If your wire cutters are dull, there’s no need to take them to a repair shop. You can do it right now from the convenience of your own homes in a matter of seconds. Keep reading to find out.

1. The wire cutters require a lot of knacks to sharpen properly. There is not a lot at stake, and you won’t need any fancy equipment to pull it off.
2. Work gloves should be worn before beginning any task. Don’t forget the safety glasses to shield your eyes.
3. Wire cutter flaws require a sharp observer’s eye. To that end, make sure your sharpening space is well-lit.
4. The wire cutter can be easily sharpened without resorting to high performance or a complicated tool. All you need is a hand file.
5. Different varieties of hand files are available. The texture can read the text from paper documents. The surface being worn down by rubbing increases in proportion to the texture’s roughness. A hand file with a fine texture is ideal for sharpening the wire cutter. Picking too rough of a hand file will ruin the wire cutter. This is because the areas on the cutter that need sharpening are so minute.
   It’s time to begin honing your skills. Just focus on one knife at a time. Use the blade as a rubbing surface for the hand file. Act quickly but cautiously. Slow, soothing massages will do the trick.
6. The wire cutter must be put through its paces after its blades have been sharpened. Attempt to use the tool to cut the wires. The sharpening was successful if using it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Then you need to sharpen it a little more.
7. When the desired degree of sharpness is reached, the process should be halted. The blades need to be cleaned right away. You can clean the wire cutter’s blades and internal parts with a wire brush.
8. Since sharpening can be done over and over again, it’s important to keep the cutter clean after each use to extend the life of the blades. If you keep it in good condition, you won’t have to sharpen it as often. Keep the edge by following this advice. After each use, rinse the blades with soapy water to remove any residue. Alcohol applied directly to the blades can also be beneficial.
9. Before beginning the sharpening process, you should also remove any debris or contaminants from the blade. WD40 is useful for removing sticky substances.
10. A proper final step is to put your cutters away. The wire cutter loses its edge when it is stored improperly. Before putting your blades away in a dry place, oil them.

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Is there an alternative cutter?

Pliers with sharp side jaws, known as wire cutters, are ideal for slicing through various wires, but there are other tools that can get the job done just as quickly and easily. All of the tools described here can be found at local hardware stores or hardware speciality shops if you don’t already have them.

Hacksaw

A hacksaw consists of a thin metal blade about 12 inches in length, with a metal frame at each end to keep the blade in place. The higher the TPI (teeth per inch) of the blade, the easier it will be to cut through the wire. Common saw blade sizes include 18, 24, and 36 TPI. Simply grasp the hacksaw’s handle, lay the blade across the wire at a 90-degree angle, and rock it back and forth to sever the wire.

Tin snips

A pair of tin snips will have two razor-sharp blades and an 8-inch long handle. The snips are sharp enough to cut through copper wire despite being designed to cut through thinner sheets of metal. Cut the wire in half by opening the handles of the tin snips and placing it between the cutting blades. Don’t open the handles; doing so won’t help you cut the wire.

Angle Grinder

An electric angle grinder has a circular disk-shaped blade that spins at extremely high speeds to cut metal. You can also use it to clean metal surfaces by attaching a circular brush to it and wiping it down. Protect your eyes by donning a pair of goggles before turning on the grinder and holding the blade against the wire. Slowly move the knife against the wire until it is slashed. Larger gauge wires can be cut efficiently with this tool, whereas standard wire cutters would be too small.

Reciprocating Saw

Similarly, a reciprocating saw is an electric tool with a long, thin blade (of varying lengths) that moves rapidly in both directions. In the hands of a skilled artisan, it makes quick work of cutting wood and pipes in tight quarters. But a metal-cutting blade with a high TPI number makes short work of any kind of wire. In order to cut through the wire, activate the reciprocating saw and lower the blade to a slow, steady pace. To cut the wire, press the blade against it. Put on protective eyewear. This saw, like the angle grinder, can be used to slice through wires of a greater diameter.

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Should you sharpen your bolt cutters?

Cutting tough materials like bolts, rebar, padlocks, and chains will eventually wear down your bolt cutters to the point where you can see holes where the two blades meet when closed. That’s because you tried to use them to slice something a little bit harder than they were made to handle.

A high-quality bolt cutter set will come with an adjustment screw. In order to get rid of the surplus clearance, you will need to shorten some of the blades and reshape the edges. This will bring the jaws together in a pinch as you tighten it. You’ll need a thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder capable of cutting metal. Having to deal with heat is why a thin blade is preferable. The steel in this project will de-temper if exposed to excessive heat. To make tools, we use this HR65 hardened steel.

Don’t do anything that would turn it into mild steel, which would involve removing the temper. This is due to the fact that these are made of harder steel, allowing them to cut through other steels, locks, and chains. That means heat is a threat. If you go about it the right way, you can sharpen it without damaging it by overheating it. When compared to a thin blade, a thick one produces too much pressure, causes too much heat, and stores too much of that heat.

To get this thing going, we need to open the jaws, make sure they’re locked in place, and then file down the cutting edge by about 1/64 inch. We need to smooth this out because when the jaws were closed, it was touching here and here. Therefore, we will lay them flat once more, and then we will angle them this way and that way to try to smooth everything out, giving us a bevelled edge. Equal gaps must be present between the two jaws.

Since we’re being careful while honing the jaws, the steel won’t tarnish. You’re not trying to get too deep into it or cut through a lot of material. Rather than making a point that is too sharp and useless, aim for something that can cut and pinch. At this point, you should have them come together and then gently feather the edges. It’ll add a lot of power to that edge. A blade that is too sharp will not cut efficiently and will break and deform more quickly.

You shouldn’t sharpen it to a razor’s edge. Just like an axe blade, it needs to have a broad base that tapers off to a fine point. And that is precisely what we have here. As soon as we make a cut with a knife, it will immediately re-ding.

You may have noticed that there is a consistent gap between us now; this is the result of the modification. As a result, the gap between them should start to narrow. If the bolt cutters you’re considering have this adjustment bolt, you know you’re getting a high-quality pair. As you turn the knob, you’ll see that there’s still room for improvement; however, since you’re almost but not quite touching in the front and back, you’ll stop there. To put it simply, that location is ideal. Setting it up like that is ideal. At the moment, it can slice through brass with ease, but it can also slice through proof coil chain. We made sure it wasn’t too pointy, so it wouldn’t leave nasty dings like it used to.

How to sharpen bolt cutters?

Like oversized pair of garden shears, bolt cutters have a long blade and a short handle. With their incredible strength, they can easily cut through barbed wire, bolts, fencing, chains, and other forms of metal or iron defence. In reality, bolt cutters are useless for cutting. Certainly not in the same sense that we understand that shears and scissors can make cuts. Bolt cutters exert the necessary pressure by using the owner’s own strength, transmitted through the tools’ lengthy handles. Thus, a good sharpening of the blades of bolt cutters can be achieved without resorting to any unusual means or requiring any specialised equipment.

1. First, check the bolt cutters to ensure there is nothing snagging on them. Scrub off any loose muck, dirt, or grime with the help of the firm bristle brush. You should also take a good look at the cutter to make sure nothing has gotten stuck in there. Wash the bolt cutters with soapy water and a sponge to restore their shine. Use the fresh cloth to dab them down. Take care to thoroughly dry the blades after use. Most modern versions are constructed from an alloy, but older versions may rust if left damp.
2. Put the bolt cutters in a secure position with the blades open as far as they will go. Keeping them in your lap is a good idea because you can secure them there using your knees. Another option is to set them in a vice grip, but you must be very careful not to damage them. Keep the cutters’ open blades facing away from you.
3. Each blade’s edge will be bevelled in a fashion analogous to that of a pair of scissors. To hold the mill file at the correct angle, which is typically between 20 and 30 degrees, see the image. At an angle, move the mill file along the blade until you reach the end, then bring it back and do it again. To get a razor-sharp edge on your blade, you’ll need to repeat this process about ten times.
4. Flip the bolt cutters so that the other cutting edge is facing away from you. Once again, wipe the blades down with a dry cloth after sliding at an oblique angle down the length of the blade for about ten turns.
5. Simply apply some machining oil or grease to a clean, dry cloth. The bolt cutter blades should be oiled thoroughly, and the oil should be spread evenly along their entire length. Blades are susceptible to rust, and this will help prevent it from accumulating.
6. Bolt cutters should be kept in a dry, cool spot where they won’t be exposed to moisture.

Conclusion

One of the most useful tools in the home, wire cutters can also serve as strippers. When sharpening wire cutters, a fine hand file is recommended due to the limited metal surface area. Jewelers, surgeons, electricians, mechanics, florists, and even firefighters all rely on high-quality wire cutters in their line of work. Despite its diminutive size, the Hakko CHP170 Flush Cutter is capable of cutting wire as thick as 16 guage (1.3mm). The nonslip grip makes it perfect for soldering and jewellery making.

A wire with a sharp point is unwelcome in many situations, so a flush-cutter with smooth edges is useful. Cutting copper or aluminium electrical conductors with a side-cutter is a common task in the electrical industry, but using one frequently can lead to fatigue and a condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In comparison to other types of side cutters, shear cutters are the most effective and gentle option; however, they still require caution when being used. The Whizzotech Diagonal Pliers (Side Cutter) are the industry standard because of their ability to make angled cuts. End-cutting pliers are equilateral in shape, with cutting edges that run perpendicular to the tool’s shaft, making it easy to remove nails, screws, and rivets without damaging the surrounding material.

Even though it’s easy to find insulated versions of the most common types of wire cutters, you should still steer clear of the cheap, low-quality tools sold in auto parts stores and other non-specialty retailers. When it comes to cutting wire, Linean’s Wire Cutters are the workhorse of the family. They have wide, flat jaws for grasping and cutting edges located just ahead of the pivot point. With almost no bevels on the blades, Ultra-Flush Side-Cutters make quick work of cutting delicate materials like jewellery and electronics. A fantastic wire cutter for jewellery making and wire wrapping is the XURON 2175 Maxi Shear Flush Cutter. Sharpening wire cutters is simple and does not require special equipment or skill.

Before starting any project, it’s important to put on your work gloves and put on your safety glasses. It’s best to sharpen the wire cutter with a hand file that has a fine texture. When the blades have been sharpened to the desired level, the process should be terminated and the blades cleaned immediately. Massaging slowly and gently will help. The blades of the cutter will last much longer if you wipe it down after each use.

Always wash the blades in soapy water to get rid of any leftover food or residue after each use. Get rid of any dirt or grime on the blade before you sharpen it. As a final step, oil your cutters and store them someplace dry. Hacksaws, tin snips, and angle grinders are some alternatives to using wire cutters. Any standard or speciality hardware store should carry all of these implements.

The cutting edge of an electric angle grinder is a circular disc that spins at very high speeds. Wearing goggles will help protect your eyes from flying debris and grinding dust while you hold the blade against the wire and cut it. Using rapid back and forth motion, a reciprocating saw’s long, thin blade cuts through material. Larger diameter wires are no match for its ability to sever them. Must the bolt cutters be sharpened?

Bolt cutters can be worn down to the point of having visible holes where the two blades meet when closed by cutting tough materials like rebar, padlocks, and chains. Clearance can be reduced by shortening the blades and reshaping the edges. Metal should be cut with a thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder. Our tool steel is HR65, which is a high-hardness stainless steel. The steps to sharpen a steel blade without overheating it are the most crucial information provided in this text.

Step one is to open the jaws, lock them into place, and then file the cutting edge to a depth of 1/64 inch. To prevent rusting, the steel must have uniform spaces between the two jaws. As soon as we make a cut with a knife, it will immediately re-ding, so the blade should have a broad base that tapers off to a fine point to add power to the edge. Cutting through barbed wire, bolts, fencing, chains, and other forms of metal or iron defence is simple with a bolt cutter due to the tool’s long blade and short handle. Before sharpening bolt cutters, the owner should inspect them thoroughly to make sure nothing is caught on them, scrub away any loose muck, dirt, or grime, and examine the cutter closely to make sure nothing is lodged inside.

Bolt cutters can be restored to like-new condition by washing them in soapy water and wiping them dry. Keep the bolt cutters safely stashed away, blades extended as far as they will go, and out of sight. Spread machining oil or grease along their entire length using a clean, dry cloth. The best place to store blades is in a dry, cool place where they won’t be subjected to any moisture.

Content Summary

• A pair of wire cutters is an essential household tool.
• However, a fine hand file is required if you intend to keep your cutters.
• Using a fine hand file is recommended for sharpening wire cutters due to the small surface area of metal to be worked on.
• There are probably as many varieties of wire cutters as there are wire types.
• When searching for a new pair of shear cutters, this is the first thing you should check for.
• For clean, precise cuts, side-cutters are also an option.
• Avoid the cheap, low-quality tools sold in auto parts stores and other non-specialist retailers if you need a pair of insulated wire cutters.
• When you clean the cutters after each use, you can make them last much longer.
• If your wire cutters are dull, there’s no need to take them to a repair shop.
• The wire cutters require a lot of knacks to sharpen properly.
• A hand file with a fine texture is ideal for sharpening the wire cutter.
• Use the blade as a rubbing surface for the hand file.
• Since sharpening can be done over and over again, it’s important to keep the cutter clean after each use to extend the life of the blades.
• Keep the edge by following this advice.
• A proper final step is to put your cutters away.
• Before putting your blades away in a dry place, oil them.
• Cut the wire in half by opening the handles of the tin snips and placing it between the cutting blades.
• An electric angle grinder has a circular disk-shaped blade that spins at extremely high speeds to cut metal.
• In order to cut through the wire, activate the reciprocating saw and lower the blade to a slow, steady pace.
• To cut the wire, press the blade against it.
• This saw, like the angle grinder, can be used to slice through wires of a greater diameter.
• Cutting tough materials like bolts, rebar, padlocks, and chains will eventually wear down your bolt cutters to the point where you can see holes where the two blades meet when closed.
• You’ll need a thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder capable of cutting metal.
• To get this thing going, we need to open the jaws, make sure they’re locked in place, and then file down the cutting edge by about 1/64 inch.
• You shouldn’t sharpen it to a razor’s edge.
• As soon as we make a cut with a knife, it will immediately re-ding.
• As a result, the gap between them should start to narrow.
• If the bolt cutters you’re considering have this adjustment bolt, you know you’re getting a high-quality pair.
• Setting it up like that is ideal.
• Like oversized pair of garden shears, bolt cutters have a long blade and a short handle.
• In reality, bolt cutters are useless for cutting.
• First, check the bolt cutters to ensure there is nothing snagging on them.
• Wash the bolt cutters with soapy water and a sponge to restore their shine.
• Take care to thoroughly dry the blades after use.
• Put the bolt cutters in a secure position with the blades open as far as they will go.
• Once again, wipe the blades down with a dry cloth after sliding at an oblique angle down the length of the blade for about ten turns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to sharpen wire cutters?

The blades on your cutters could dull after some time of use. If they become dull, sharpening them is a breeze. A lot of people say that rather than investing in an expensive pair of cutters that will inevitably dull, you should just get a whole new set.

 

How do you maintain wire cutters?

Just like pliers, wire cutters can cause injury when the wire cut becomes airborne, as well as pinch injuries to the hand. As with pliers, they should be wiped clean with a dry rag and the occasional application of WD-40 before storage.

 

Why are wire cutters diagonal?

The jaws have an angled edge. This means they’re designed to cut through a wire by applying greater cutting force.

 

What is the difference between side and diagonal cutters?

One of the key differences is that diagonal cutters are often better suited to smaller, more delicate cutting tasks, whereas side cutters are ideally suited to large-scale applications. While this isn’t always the case, it is useful to know as a general rule.

 

What is the difference between pliers and wire cutters?

Remember that wire stripping tools are best for removing the insulation from wire, while pliers are best for (you guessed it) cutting wire. Pliers help you reach, bend, grab, cut, hold and loop wire, and wire stripper crimpers are the best tool to join two pieces of ductile material together.