Need a tool!

[Tenson]

Hi,

Its not speakers really but most people seem to read here and you guys know about tools!

I need a pair of pointy-nosed wire clippers. I have some normal wire clippers but I need to get in to a tighter gap. Anyone know where I can get some with a nice pointy cutting end?

Here are my current ones

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[Cal Weldon]

Go to the local dollar store, get a pair of cheapies and hit your nearest grinding wheel. This is a diy site afterall and no I'm not joking, I have many "altered" tools.

 

[Tenson]

Actaully thats not a bad idea! If someone knows where I can buy a pair right off though then that would be nice and easy

 

[Cal Weldon]

How thick are the wires you are cutting?

 

[Tenson]

About 1.5mm solid core, so not that easy.

 

[Cal Weldon]

Hmm... not familiar with something like that. I was thinking you might use the heavy duty scissor type snips but I think they wouldn't be up to the task..

 

[Tenson]

No problems, I'll give your first suggestion a go. Cheers!

 

[Apogee]

Channellock

The only brand I use anymore...

Just buy them new, it will save you grief in the long run.

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/728_-_7_5_inch_Diagonal_Cutter_P31C16.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/748_-_8_inch_End_Cutter_Long_R_P62C16.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/437_-_7_inch_Cutting_Plier_-_B_P98C9.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/Cutting_Pliers_C9.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/Long_Reach_Pliers_C16.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/LITTLE_CHAMP__C12.cfm

http://www.channellock.com/

 

[Tenson]

And the new ones!

They look burned because I heated them up and cooled them very fast after the grinding to harden the cutters.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[Cal Weldon]

Hey Tenson,

I hope you got them hot enough to temper before you quenched. That would have meant removing the plastic handles. If not the heating will have distempered the metal making them weaker. Did you not have a can of water beside you while grinding?

That being said, they should be strong enough for copper still.

 

[Tenson]

I used a blow-tourch just on the cutting part. Got it red hot.

 

[Cal Weldon]

OK good, that did look like a bit more discolouring than you'd get from just the grinder.

 

[joe carrow]

I just have to say- this looks like a great tool mod, but you need to remember that now you must be extra careful about eye protection. If the tip of one of those cutting jaws goes, it could really get you!