A pair of wire cutters is an essential household equipment. Some cutters can be used to do double duty as wire cutters and strippers, expanding their usefulness even further. When working with wire to grow and sculpt small trees in the art of Bonsai, wire cutters are an essential tool. There’s a chance that your cutters will dull with use. If they get dull, there is a simple method to restore their edge.
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Since even the most costly pair of cutters will ultimately grow dull, many people advise starting fresh with a brand new set. However, a delicate hand file will be required if you insist on keeping your cutters.
You may buy sets of hand files that range from very coarse to very fine. This indicates that the file’s texture is either very large, in which case it will cause a great deal of wear and tear on the object being rubbed, or very little, in which case it will have little effect on the object being rubbed (fine). Files with a finer grain are better for precise, detailed work because they provide greater leverage.
For sharpening wire cutters, a fine hand file is recommended due to the limited sharpening surface. There should be a filing on both sides of the cutter. Be careful not to overwork or overscrub the blades when you rub the file against them. If you use the file too much, you’ll wear down the blade’s surface, which will make it difficult for the cutters to close (and function).
How to Take Care of Your Cutters?
The blades on your cutters will wear down no matter how well you treat them. Cutting tools last longer if they are cleaned after each use. The components are washable and can be disinfected with soap and water or rubbing alcohol before being air dried. Bleach is another option for disinfecting and cleaning them. Use WD40 (a rust-preventative oil) or lighter fluid to get rid of sticky substances like tree or plant sap. Once your cutters are dry, give them a quick coat of oil before putting them away.
For a sharpened pair of wire cutters, you need not consult an expert. The whole process takes only a few seconds, and you can do it right from your couch. Keep reading to find out!
Safety Measure
Wire cutter sharpening requires a lot of practise and experience. There is little to no danger involved; the process is straightforward, and simple equipment is sufficient. But put on your work gloves before you get started. Put on safety glasses as well.
Work Area
An excellent sense of sight is required for spotting defective spots in a wire cutter. Be sure your sharpening space is well-lit so that you can see what you’re doing.
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Tool
The wire cutter may be easily sharpened with a simple tool and does not require high performance. In this case, a hand file will do the trick.
Type of Hand Files
Multiple varieties of hand files are available. Textures can read the fonts on paper documents. If you rub anything with a particularly rough texture, you will wear down the surface you’re rubbing it against much faster. Choose a fine-grit hand file to hone the wire cutter’s edge. A hand file that is too rough will ruin the wire cutter, so be careful. This is because the places on the cutter that need sharpening are so tiny.
Rub
Begin the sharpening process immediately. Get rid of the blades one by one. Stroke the knife with the hand file. Move quickly without using excessive force. Light rubbing is all that’s needed.
Test
The wire cutter must be tested once all of the blades have been sharpened. Attempt to use the tool to cut the cables. If it cuts without requiring undue effort on your part, then the sharpening was successful. If not, you’ll want to give it a little more of a sharpening.
Clean
When the desired degree of sharpness is reached, the procedure should be terminated. The blades need to be wiped down right now. Scrub the wire cutter’s cutting edges and internals with a wire brush.
Maintenance
The process of sharpening can be done indefinitely, but you can extend the life of your blades by cleaning your cutter after each use. Reduced need for sharpening due to regular maintenance. Observe this advice to keep the edge in good condition. After each usage, wash the blades in soapy water. You can also try applying alcohol to the blades and rubbing them.
WD40
If there are any contaminants on the blade, remove them before beginning the sharpening procedure. You can use WD40 to remove sticky stuff.
Storage
After you’re done using your cutters, put them away in a safe place. The wire cutter will lose its cutting edge if it is not stored properly. Prior to putting knives away in a dry location, lubricate the blade.
What Are the Different Types of Wire Cutters?
Wire cutters are an indispensable tool in nearly every modern industry and profession. It’s likely that there are as many different kinds of wire cutters as there are wires.
Professional jewellers, physicians, electricians, auto mechanics, florists, and firefighters all rely on high-quality wire cutters. Every handyman needs a selection of wire cutters, even though most specialised models are useless for the do-it-yourself market.
Hakko CHP170 Flush Cutter
A small wire cutter, this one can handle wires up to 16 gauges in diameter (1.3mm). This cutter is great for DIY electronics and jewellery projects thanks to its non-slip handle.
Having a wire that ends in a sharp point is problematic when working with jewellery, flowers, or electronics. For this purpose, a flush-cutter with rounded edges is ideal.
Even if the cut faces aren’t perfectly flush, the reduced bevels on the cutting edges make it easier to cut through the wire, which is a huge benefit for workers who make hundreds of cuts per day. Overuse of a low-quality tool can lead to fatigue and a medical condition called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is usually treated with surgery.
Xuron Micro Shear Cutter
When compared to other types of side-cutting tools, shear cutters are the most user-friendly and result in the cleanest cut. However, one must exercise caution when actually cutting, as doing so with too much force will dull the blades.
High-quality tools of this type have separation between their cutting edges, typically achieved through adjustment or set screws, to prevent injury in the event of a cut. This quality is essential, and it should be the primary factor in deciding on a pair of shear cutters.
Whizzotech Diagonal Pliers (Side Cutter)
As their name suggests, diagonal cutters make cuts at an angle. They are a standard tool for many trades. The terms “dykes,” “diags,” “diagonals,” and “side-cutters” are just a few of the many that have been used to describe them.
The electrical industry relies heavily on these cutters for severing aluminium and copper electrical wires. However, side-cutters are used in every sector that requires cutting flexible wire.
However, the jaws of side-cutters break the wire rather than sever it cleanly, leaving a sharp spike on the wire. Since normal side-cutters are so cheap and a good one can last for years even if the resulting spike isn’t an issue, they’re the best option.
Side-cutters should only be used on soft metals like copper or aluminium; cutting steel wire, nails, screws, fencing wire, or anything else can damage the blades and should be avoided. This could cause permanent damage to their jaws, rendering them unable to cut.
With side-cutters, you can make precise cuts without damaging the surface.
End Cutting Pliers
All of the cutting edges on end cutting pliers are perpendicular to the tool’s body, creating a half-circle shape at the jaws. Fasteners like nails, screws, and rivets can be removed neatly and nearly flush with the surface.
The circular shape of the tool’s jaws makes it ideal for prying out nails and screws from wood.
In an ideal situation, the end cutting pliers’ jaws would close so closely together that there would be no room for any material to slip between them. This would guarantee that the jaws’ cutting edges would make full contact along their entire length. Furthermore, there shouldn’t be any play in the connection between the two handles.
Insulated Wire Cutters
In case you were worried about getting shocked while cutting wire, know that there is an insulated version of any tool you might need. Even though the plastic or rubber coating on the handles of most tools has the appearance of insulation, it is not.
Although most wire cutters come with cushioned handles, this does not make them safe to use around electricity.
If you need a pair of insulated wire cutters, do not buy the cheap, low-quality tools sold in auto parts stores or other non-specialty retailers.
You wouldn’t want to use one of these instruments, get shocked, and then learn that the heavy plastic coating wasn’t made to withstand high voltage.
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Lineman’s Wire Cutters
Among all types of wire cutters, the combination cutter is by far the most popular and useful. These tools have wide, flat jaws for grasping, and just in front of the pivot point are cutting edges reminiscent of side-cutters.
The tool’s long handles make it ideal for slicing through thick metal, such as fencing wire, as well as thick nails and screws.
The cutting action of these pliers is often guillotine-like. There is a groove on the underside of each handle, close to its point of rotation.
Nails, screws, and other small steel rods are quickly cut through by the shearing action of the cutting edges on the inner side of the grooves when the handles are closed and the grooves have aligned.
Needle-Nose Wire Cutters
The tapered jaws of a needle-nose wire cutter are prefered by electricians because they allow the user to bend and insert wires into switch-gear in electrical panels that would be inaccessible with standard pliers or cutters.
Ultra-Flush Side-Cutters
These cutters are ideal for making precise, clean flush cuts, and they find widespread application in the jewellery and electronics industries.
These cutters require even less force to make a cut than a regular flush cutter, but their blades are quite delicate, so you should only use them on soft copper or aluminium conductors.
XURON 2175 Maxi Shear Flush Cutter
Useful for wire wrapping and making jewellery, this cutter is of the highest quality. Wire made from fine silver, bronze, gold, or platinum can all be flush cut. This cutter’s blade is not suitable for use with titanium, steel, or memory wire.
Is There an Alternative Cutter?
Although wire cutters (pliers with sharp side jaws) are ideal for this task, there are alternative tools that can be used just as effectively. All the tools indicated here may be found at any major hardware or home improvement store if you don’t already have them.
Hacksaw
The blade of a hacksaw is usually around 12 inches in length and is supported by a metal frame on either end. Saw blades typically come in sizes of 18, 24, and 36 TPI (teeth per inch), with greater TPI being preferable for cutting through wire. By grasping the hacksaw’s handle, you may rest the blade over the wire at a right angle and then work your way back and forth to completely sever the wire.
Tin snips
The 8-inch-long handles of tin snips are matched by two razor-sharp blades. Although the snips were created to work with thinner metal sheets, they are more than capable of cutting through copper and other softer wires. The wire should be positioned between the tin snips’ blades with the handles opened. Put pressure on the grips to sever the wire.
Angle Grinder
An angle grinder is a type of electric power tool that uses a spinning disk-shaped cutting blade to shave off chunks of metal at an angle. A round brush can be attached and used to clean metal surfaces. Protect your eyes by donning a pair of goggles before turning on the grinder and holding the blade against the wire. The wire can be cut using calm, steady motions of the knife blade. This gadget excels at slicing through thicker gauge wires that would be too difficult to cut with standard wire cutters.
Reciprocating Saw
A reciprocating saw, also powered by electricity, features a long, thin blade (of varying lengths) that may be swivelled rapidly in both directions. It is commonly used by tradespeople to saw through items (wood, pipes) in tight quarters that would otherwise be inaccessible to larger saws.
Cutting through any kind of wire can be a challenge, but not with a metal-cutting blade that has a high TPI number. Start the reciprocating saw, then carefully lower the blade until it’s scraping against the wire. To cut the wire, press the blade against it. Put on safety glasses. This saw can be used in the same way an angle grinder can to sever wires of a bigger gauge.
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Should You Sharpen Your Bolt Cutters?
Over time, cutting tough materials like bolts, rebar, padlocks, and chains can wear out your bolt cutters to the point that you can see holes while the blades are 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 set of bolt cutters will come with an adjustable screw. Excess clearance can be removed from the device by shortening the blades and redefining the edges. As you pull this tighter, it will provide a pinching sensation in the jaws. A thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder is what you’ll need for this task. Because creating heat is exactly what you want to avoid, the thin blade is ideal.
De-tempering the steel due to excessive heat is likely to be a major problem for this construction job. You are looking at tool steel with a hardness of HR65. The last thing you want to do is transform it into mild steel by losing its temper.
These are able to cut through tougher steels, locks, and chains. That means heat is a threat. If you go about it the right way, you won’t end up hurting the tool while sharpening it. For these reasons, a thin blade is recommended over a thick one, as the latter produces too much pressure, generates too much heat, and stores too much of it.
To get this thing moving, we need to open the jaws, make sure they’re locked in place, and then file down the cutting edge by roughly 1/64 inch. There was some contact between the two areas when the jaws were closed, so we need to smooth those out.
To achieve a bevelled edge, we will lay them flat again, and then tilt them this way and that to smooth off any rough spots. Both jaws should have the same amount of space between them.
While honing the jaws, we are taking great care not to create any discoloration by employing too much pressure. You aren’t really attempting to get deep into it and cut a lot of material. You want it to be sharp enough to cut and squeeze, but not so sharp that it will hurt your hand. You need to get them close together and then gently push them together. That will be the deciding factor in the fight’s outcome. Too much sharpening reduces its usefulness as a cutting tool and speeds up its breakdown and deformation.
You shouldn’t sharpen it to a razor’s edge. It should have a slight flat spot, but the same even taper as an axe blade. That’s exactly what we’ve got here. If we slash it with a knife, the moment we make a cut, it will immediately re-ding.
If you look closely, you’ll see that there is a consistent chasm between us, and that’s because of the modification. Hopefully, that will help to close the gap. Whether or not a set of bolt cutters has this adjustment bolt is a reliable indication of its quality.
As you move the knob, you’ll find that there’s still room for improvement; nevertheless, since you’re almost touching in the front but not quite in the back, you’ll stop there. What you’ve described is essentially the ideal environment. That is the best possible configuration for it. At the moment, it can cut through materials as varied as proof coil chain and soft brass. We made sure it wasn’t too sharp, so it wouldn’t leave terrible dings like it used to.
How to Sharpen Bolt Cutters?
The appearance of bolt cutters is similar to that of long-handled garden shears. As a result of their incredible strength, they can easily cut through barbed wire, bolts, fencing, chains, and other forms of metal or iron defence. Technically speaking, bolt cutters are not cutting tools. And certainly not in the same sense that we understand shears and scissors to be cutting devices. Forcing one’s strength through the tool’s lengthy handles, a bolt cutter can generate the necessary pressure to snap the bolt. This means that a decent sharpening of the blades of bolt cutters does not necessitate the use of any specialised methods or tools.
Clean First
Make sure there is no dust or dirt on or around the bolt cutters. Scrub off any loose muck, dirt, or grime with the help of the hard bristle brush. Look for anything that could have become stuck in the cutting mechanism. To restore the bolt cutters’ shine, simply wash them with soapy water and a sponge. Swipe them with a dry towel. Make sure the blades get thoroughly dried after use. Most modern versions are constructed from an alloy, although older versions may rust if kept damp.
Setting the Blades
The bolt cutters’ blades should be opened as far as possible and locked in place. You can keep them from moving while sitting on your lap and holding them with your knees. You might even set them in a vice grip if you’re careful not to damage them. Keep the cutters’ open cutting edges away from your body.
Bevels
Each blade will feature an edge that is bevelled in the same way that scissors’ blades are. Take the mill file and hold it at a 20 to 30 degree angle, as this is the typical bevel on bolt cutters. The procedure entails sliding the mill file at an angle along the blade till reaching the tip, at which point the file is brought back and the process is repeated. To get a razor-sharp edge on your blade, you’ll need to repeat this process around ten times.
Switching
You should flip the bolt cutters so that the other blade is facing away from you. Again, wipe the blades off with a dry cloth after swiping at an oblique angle down the length of the blade for roughly ten turns.
Oiling
Apply some machining oil or grease to a clean, dry towel. The bolt cutter blades should be oiled and the oil spread evenly along their length. This will aid in preventing the buildup of rust on the blades.
Storing
Keep your bolt cutters out of the rain and other moisture sources by keeping them in a dry, cold place.
Conclusion
Wire cutters serve double duty in the home, cutting and stripping wires. They can easily have their sharpness restored if they ever become dull. Due to the small cutting edge, sharpening wire cutters is best done with a fine hand file. Never scrub or overwork the blades when rubbing the file against them; doing so will dull the cutting edge and make it difficult to close the cutters. Cleaning your cutters is simple; just wash the removable parts in soapy water or rubbing alcohol, then let them air dry.
If you want to clean and disinfect them at the same time, bleach is another option. Last but not least, oil them briefly and store them. Sharpening wire cutters is a skill that takes time and effort to master, but is otherwise simple and poses minimal risk. Use a fine-grit hand file to sharpen the wire cutter’s edge, and make sure it works before attempting to cut any wires. The blades can last longer if they are cleaned after each use, and less sharpening will be required if they are maintained regularly.
Sticky substances can also be removed with WD-40. In almost any modern field or occupation, wire cutters are an essential tool. Top-notch wire cutters are indispensable tools for many professions, including those of jeweller, doctor, electrician, mechanic, florist, and firefighter. The compact Hakko CHP170 Flush Cutter can cut wires as thick as 16 gauges. One must take care when actually cutting with the Xuron Micro Shear Cutter, but it is the most user-friendly and produces the cleanest cut.
Whizzotech Diagonal Pliers are commonly used in a variety of industries due to their ability to make angled cuts. Cutting steel wire, nails, screws, fencing wire, or anything else can damage the blades and permanently damage the jaws of side-cutters, so you should only use them on soft metals like copper or aluminium. Insulated wire cutters are safe to use around electricity, and end-cutting pliers are great for prying out nails and screws from wood. With their wide, flat jaws for grasping and cutting edges reminiscent of side-cutters, Linean’s Wire Cutters are the most popular and useful of their kind. There are other tools that can do the same job as wire cutters, which are pliers with sharp side jaws like a guillotine.
Tools like the XURON 2175 Maxi Shear Flush Cutter, hacksaws, tin snips, and needle-nose wire cutters are all in this category. Wire wrapping and jewellery making tools, but not for use with titanium, steel, or memory wire. To remove angular sections of metal, an electric angle grinder spins a disk-shaped cutting blade at high speed. Traders rely on it frequently because larger saws would be too cumbersome to use in confined spaces when cutting materials like wood and pipes. An electric reciprocating saw has a long, thin blade that can spin quickly in both directions.
Are your bolt cutters dull? When used repeatedly on tough materials like bolts, rebar, padlocks, and chains, bolt cutters can become so dull that holes become visible even when the blades are closed. Since de-tempering the steel due to excessive heat is likely to be a major problem for this construction job, a thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder is ideal for this task.
Bolt cutters can break through stronger steels, locks, and chains, but they can’t withstand intense heat. In order to sharpen them, it is recommended that you use a thin blade rather than a thick one because the latter generates and stores too much heat and pressure. A bevelled edge can be achieved by opening the jaws, ensuring they are securely fastened, and then filing down the cutting edge by about 1/64 inch. It’s important that the two jaws have an equal amount of space between them and are sharp enough to cut and squeeze without hurting your hand. It shouldn’t be razor sharp, but it should have the same even taper as an axe blade and a small flat spot.
As soon as we make a cut with a knife, it will start ringing again. This adjustment will help narrow the gap and is an accurate measure of a bolt cutter’s quality. Garden shears with a long handle, called bolt cutters, are ideal for slicing through barbed wire, bolts, fencing, chains, and other forms of metal or iron defence. They don’t have blades but can apply enough force to break a bolt. Bolt cutters can be restored to peak performance by giving them a thorough cleaning with soapy water and a sponge, scrubbing away any loose muck or dirt, and then drying them thoroughly with a towel.
The most crucial aspects are that bolt cutters be fully extended and locked in place, and that their blades be bevelled like scissors. An extremely sharp edge can be achieved by oiling, switching, and storing the blade in a dry, cold location.
Content Summary
- A pair of wire cutters is an essential household equipment.
- There’s a chance that your cutters will dull with use.
- However, a delicate hand file will be required if you insist on keeping your cutters.
- For sharpening wire cutters, a fine hand file is recommended due to the limited sharpening surface.
- For a sharpened pair of wire cutters, you need not consult an expert.
- Choose a fine-grit hand file to hone the wire cutter’s edge.
- RubBegin the sharpening process immediately.
- Get rid of the blades one by one.
- Stroke the knife with the hand file.
- Scrub the wire cutter’s cutting edges and internals with a wire brush.
- After you’re done using your cutters, put them away in a safe place.
- Prior to putting knives away in a dry location, lubricate the blade.
- It’s likely that there are as many different kinds of wire cutters as there are wires.
- This quality is essential, and it should be the primary factor in deciding on a pair of shear cutters.
- With side-cutters, you can make precise cuts without damaging the surface.
- Among all types of wire cutters, the combination cutter is by far the most popular and useful.
- The tapered jaws of a needle-nose wire cutter are prefered by electricians because they allow the user to bend and insert wires into switch-gear in electrical panels that would be inaccessible with standard pliers or cutters.
- Although wire cutters (pliers with sharp side jaws) are ideal for this task, there are alternative tools that can be used just as effectively.
- An angle grinder is a type of electric power tool that uses a spinning disk-shaped cutting blade to shave off chunks of metal at an angle.
- Start the reciprocating saw, then carefully lower the blade until it’s scraping against the wire.
- To cut the wire, press the blade against it.
- This saw can be used in the same way an angle grinder can to sever wires of a bigger gauge.
- A high-quality set of bolt cutters will come with an adjustable screw.
- A thin-bladed, high-speed cut off grinder is what you’ll need for this task.
- To get this thing moving, we need to open the jaws, make sure they’re locked in place, and then file down the cutting edge by roughly 1/64 inch.
- That will be the deciding factor in the fight’s outcome.
- You shouldn’t sharpen it to a razor’s edge.
- It should have a slight flat spot, but the same even taper as an axe blade.
- Whether or not a set of bolt cutters has this adjustment bolt is a reliable indication of its quality.
- As you move the knob, you’ll find that there’s still room for improvement; nevertheless, since you’re almost touching in the front but not quite in the back, you’ll stop there.
- That is the best possible configuration for it.
- The appearance of bolt cutters is similar to that of long-handled garden shears.
- Technically speaking, bolt cutters are not cutting tools.
- This means that a decent sharpening of the blades of bolt cutters does not necessitate the use of any specialised methods or tools.
- Make sure there is no dust or dirt on or around the bolt cutters.
- To restore the bolt cutters’ shine, simply wash them with soapy water and a sponge.
- Make sure the blades get thoroughly dried after use.
- Keep the cutters’ open cutting edges away from your body.
- To get a razor-sharp edge on your blade, you’ll need to repeat this process around ten times.
- The bolt cutter blades should be oiled and the oil spread evenly along their length.
- This will aid in preventing the buildup of rust on the blades.
- Keep your bolt cutters out of the rain and other moisture sources by keeping them in a dry, cold place.
