Small pliers that work like miniature bolt cutters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: qpit3a
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 11:11:47 pm
content: I am wondering if there exists a product that is a small set of 'pliers' IE wire cutter with opposing beveled cutters that contact parallel . I guess this would be like a miniature set of bolt cutters. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2020, 11:47:27 pm
content: Do you mean like these nippers?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knipex-64-120-ESD-electronics/dp/B000XJ0QKM

author: qpit3a
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 12:41:41 am
content: Yes thanks, I think these would work, if available in AUS.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 12:44:37 am
content: yes, this is called compound cutters. They are expensive. If you are talking for leverage. If you actually want parallel action for no mechanical advantage reason (i.e. you don't care about your hands, then read the last paragraph and enlighten me as to what purpose it serves (genuinely curious).If you want actual bolt cutters that are small, look athttps://www.ebay.com/i/352844526346?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=352844526346&targetid=882987571626&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9004235&poi=&campaignid=9248481261&mkgroupid=93494027426&rlsatarget=aud-762207186714:pla-882987571626&abcId=1141156&merchantid=114721567&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6raegOL16AIVgp-zCh3BEApcEAkYCSABEgIjWfD_BwEIf you want compound cutters that are small, i.e. for wire work, its very expensive. You will usually want carbide.https://gokimco.com/4-star-stainless-steel-wire-cutters-6-compounded-action-carbide-cutter-010-030.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_MWnkuP16AIVluDICh0mNwhhEAQYAyABEgJHs_D_BwEhttps://www.exportersindia.com/brain-hard-instruments/compound-cutter-1942244.htmThey are not really useful unless you are doing medical production work all day or something, or have arthritis.Designed for cutting hard wire including Nitinol, Elgiloy, and Tungsten.Keep in mind the penalty, they open less since there is a compound action.If you want something more like a electricians tool,https://toolguyd.com/knipex-twinforce-high-leverage-diagonal-cutters/And if you want to cut wire rope, you need a totally different tool with a different head geometry (very 'fat' head. Don't do it with cable cutters, and normal wire cutters or bolt cutters destroy the cable.. if you use the right tool it makes a neat cleave and keeps it bundled together.. so you better get the tool or cut it with a dremel if you want it nice andto specificationfor use with a cable crimp. I can see something bad happening with something like a rope safety rail cut with the wrong tool if its crimped).I own the first one I linked, the mini bolt cutters. They are useful for cutting welding rod but its still hard compared to using 14 inch+ cutters. The compound carbide ESD safe cutters are wank for most people.I use carbide cutters alot, I actually prefer them (but non compound, still expensive). Keep in mind that the blade is fragile and really hard, so when you work with them you will likely damage them unless you have alot of discipline to only cut with them, because if its ultra flush, its very tempting to use it as 'pry' tool. Carbide edge does not like being pried!They work absolutely great for yanking stuff off, but only a few times.. keep that in mind if you invest 100$+ into fine wire cutters. Once you have that its practically like fine dining (you need some butler to smack your hand with a ruler if you reach for it in the wrong situation). Its like ultra tempting to pull stuff with carbide super flush + cutters because they can get good purchase on small metal crap (<0.5mm).. but the edge is a bit like glass or ceramic almost. I.e. good way to damage them is to try to 'pull' a lap joint soldered wire off a substrate (because you are too lazy to get soldering iron). You CAN do it, if you get a few and don't mind having a damaged 150$ tool (because you will damage at least one before you get a feel for what its actually capable of being misused for).You feel it alot less if you get like, regular steel flush cutters for 15$ vs 150$.Keep in mind you can get REALLY deep into hand tools. Lot of work to figure out how to make them useful.. the more tools you have the more you think about what to use, unless you like it for decoration or something.Now, if you want something that cleaves, like a set of parallel jaw pliers, then I have no idea. I have only ever seen a similar tool to that with similar geometry as a sheet metal crimper tool for body work. It does not cut, but it looks like it does from afar.Why do you need a guilotine action? Bolt cutters are designed to snap the joint I think, cutters are designed to cut. I don't know what benefit snapping joints would have on anything electronic, usually its bad because you can damage components or solder joints with 'shockwaves' (in theory). It's like the opposite of what you want.. the best are sheers since they produce almost no snapping force. I ask, what is the purposeElectronics sheers are really good, they produce a minimal dimension pinch point. No satisfying 'click' though. By sheers I mean like tiny scissors that are 1cm long.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 01:24:44 am
content: when you imagine tools, keep proportion in mind. Imagine bolt cutters made to the same geometry as wire cutters, they would be INSANELY heavy. I kind of wonder what actual miniture bolt cutters would be useful for, since the quality of cut they produce is too low for things like watches, etc. If you can get away with it, they will try to bulk it up to avoid minimum weight/strain geometries for most hand tools handling something 1mm in size.Since the material is so cheap, and the parts are so small, to cleave small screws it would make more sense to make a altoids tin sized heavy bench sheer..strikes me as a bit of a insane miniaturization. (think 'small soldiers' robots breaking into a doll house in some japanese house). (who else would have a forged micro chain on the shed protecting a scale size ATV??)