knipex tools any good ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 08:03:42 pm
content: i'm looking to get some new side cuttera and tweezers anyone tried this brand ?

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 08:10:39 pm
content: Used them in the past their pliers and cutters are ok but there are better such as Bahco and their self grips are rubbish the only self grips worth having are Vise grip.

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 08:41:01 pm
content: i was thinking under £20 for the cutters . any suggestions

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 09:36:30 pm
content: You could try to see what Schmitz-zangen goes for in the UK (they're primarily an ODM for companies such as NWS and C.K Tools for example). I mention this, as NWS and others add quite a bit of markup, putting the cost at double or better your budget.http://www.schmitz-zangen.de/Another brand to look for is Roebuck (made by Larsson, which is Swedish). Bit over budget IIRC, at ~30GBP (trades manschoice.com).Just checked trades manschoice, and found NOS Diamonds (now owned by Cooper and sold as Xcelite) for a bit over 12GBP (incl. VAT). I own Diamond cutters (had them ~30 years), and they've held up well. Bit small now though (115 - 120mm OAL), and I've been looking for newer pairs that fit me these days.http://www.trades manschoice.com/catalog/Diamond/MS54-3.htmlThere are other good brands such as Facom, Lindstrom, Knipex, NWS, Larsson, Swanstrom, C.K Tools,..., but not within your budget (most of the top tier/good ones go are 40+ GBP per via a cursory look).Hope this helps, and good luck.

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 10:08:29 pm
content: i have knipex side cutters and they are goodwe also use them at work.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2012, 10:39:20 pm
content: Knipex are well known and used among electricians, mechanics, plumbers.. tradespersons in general. If it's plier shaped, they make it with three different grip options and every variation you can think of. They're good tools, but they can be fairly pricy.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 02:08:08 am
content: Do you like made in Japan? I have a pair they are top quality compared to some of my European made tools.http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/nz03_e.htmlHere mostly under £18http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PrecisionHandTools/PCB-Snips-Pliers-pro-/_i.html?_fsub=2866186017&_sid=141857257&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322Check out their patented damaged screw removal pliers too!For tweezers, you might want to hit up Cousins in the UK. They have huge assortment of tools but most of them are common type tweezers. They also sell side cutters. If you choose to go for cheaper cutters make sure you get the box joint type, they have less side play when stressed, which means more precision. IMHO the word precision is overrated on hand tools such as cutters.http://www.cousinsuk.com/department/6.aspxThere are special made tweezers for electronics, they have special tips and so on, I don't find them particularly useful.

author: Jason Long
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 02:28:34 am
content: Check eBay. At the moment, there are several sellers selling Lindstrom, Swanstrom, and Erem cutters at crazy low prices.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 02:43:39 am
content: Knipex is a very well known and widely used brand in Germany. I think the tools are even made here (Made in Germany). They are good quality, but like someone said before they can be pretty pricy.The attached image shows my Knipex right next to two Lindstroem sidecutters and another cheapy for bigger cables.Florian

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 03:11:25 am
content: I've used Knipex cutters for some years now and they seem ok. Recently bought a Wiha cutter it's also ok though the rubberized handles seem a bit big by comparison with the Knipex.The Wiha cutter was quite a bit cheaper than the Knipex one. Wiha about 15 EUR and the Knipex cutters about 25 EUR.One of the Knipex cutters has got this thing on it to catch the cut-off piece of wire, it's pretty useless.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 06:38:36 am
content: Knipex is good, but it is coarse work material.Get some flush cutters and head cutters from lindstrom ( the yellow handles 8000 series). That is the rolls royce...

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 06:55:10 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on May 19, 2012, 06:38:36 amI'm on the fence on buying new Lindstroms, as I'm getting information that the newer Spanish made pairs aren't as good as the previous Swedish made products (i.e. blades nick even under normal use). Not sure if it's a bad run or two, or a consistent QC issue.I've mostly Diamalloy's (now Xcelite) that are ~30 years old, and a single pair of Swanstrom's (S512E). Bought the Swanstrom's used from eBay, but if new ones have the same joint play (has a screw, but it seems it's adjusted as far as it can go). Play is causing smaller wire not to cut cleanly, and is left hanging by a spike. If new ones are like this, then they wouldn't be worth what they sell for new IMHO.So I'm after as much hands-on information as I can get on brands such as Lindstrom, Larsson, Swanstrom, Erem, Schmitz (usually branded as Wiha, C.K Tools, NWS), ...Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 07:25:27 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on May 19, 2012, 06:38:36 amI find those to look on par with the Lindstroms, but I haven't used them myself, since I've already own 2 Lindstrom and I am not in need of another sidecutter atm.http://j.mp/JmVeaT

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 08:37:31 am
content: You could try and find some ex GPO cutters I have two pairs I bought still in their wrapping's they were sold off when the GPO became BT as they are made with GPO stamped on them, they are designed to cut phone wire which has a high tensile steel core.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 05:34:48 pm
content: I prefer my Lindström 8160 and 8140 (8140 is a smaller version of the 8160) over the Knipex ones, although the Lindström ones are only semi-flush. They're very expensive but last forever if you only cut stuff they're specified for. The knipex pliers are easily ruined when you cut thicker diode leads.I use a Knipex 7401160 for the rough work and it's excellent.

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2012, 05:48:10 pm
content: thanks very much.i'll probably go with the knipex and be careful what i snip