Sharpen side cutters??
- Thread starter Bunit98
- Start date
It is very difficult, I tried once, it did not go well. You have to take exactly the same off and keep the edges parallel otherwise it will not cleanly cut along the entire length. I'd warranty them if you can 1st. Otherwise turn them into some other type of high leverage tool.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
You have to open up the cutters all the way and put them in a vise. Then you position the file at the exact same angle as the factory edge and follow that angle across the whole stroke. Get a file that's the same width as the knife edge and push the file into the edge. It helps if you have a file that's smooth on one side so that it doesn't cut into the hinge area as you're sharpening the knife edge.
K-Dog
Well-known member
Let me know how it turns out for you. If you are successful then I too will try it.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Unless its cutters for soft material, I don't think the file will touch the edges. Sharpening stone maybe, but it will be slow.
Generally once nicked or dull, they are done.
Generally once nicked or dull, they are done.
shampoop
Well-known member
I'm curious as well. I keep my dull side cutters for using when I purposely don't want to cut something like cotter pins.
If you use them often do yourself a favor and pick up some of these bad boys.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302WZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Well, a flat diamond hone will definitely do the job if the cutters are too hard for a file. EZE-LAP makes them.
Last edited:
dnschmidt
Well-known member
How about just blowing $10 and buying a new pair?
bcradio
Well-known member
Why's that?
Hello guys I sharpened them today when I got home. I opened them up and clamped them in the vise and used one of my needle files(flat one) and evenly filed each angle on each side of the cutter to make sure I didn't ruin the cutter. After about ten minutes of carefully filing I tried it on a twist tie and it cut like butter. Works great now and I didn't have to buy a new one. Thanks for the help everybody.. Cheers!!
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
Don't quote me on this, but I thought at one time, you could send Snap On ones back to be re sharpened?
Mr. T
Well-known member
I've used a file to do this to a few $1 finds from the flea market. If you're careful you can get new life out of them. Never got a set to be "like new" but it's fun to take something that's essentially scrap and make it useful again.
CGT80
Well-known member
These are even better, and are what I use professionally: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CRY52A/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If you really want to cut heavy wire or other items (brass toilet bolts), the Journeyman linemans are sweet: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000BYDNE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The Kleins cut like butter. They have harder edges than most other pliers I have used. When I started doing electrical work professionally with my electrician buddy, it was what he used. I have Cman Pros which are very nice and Fat max lineman pliers as well, but Klein is better. Now I work for the family business and repair animal dryers, vacuums, clippers, etc. and I still use Klein. The screwdrivers are also the best I have used. They are not cheap, but most are USA made and they hold up to full time abuse.
Mr.Ric
Well-known member
Patience is all it takes. Modern day, with these diamond dust abrasives, you can restore an edge faster, used to have to graduate through biters and cutter files and stones, but it got it done. I notice even the higher quality stuff these day's can use a few polish strokes fresh out of the box.
shampoop
Well-known member
Electricians know a lot about cutting pliers
I just have the standard non hardened (low end) klein side cutters (maroon) and they are still awesome! Even with abuse. Cut like butter and perfect ergonomics. Angled head allows you to grab something like a nail or staple and pry it out super easy.
I prefer the standard klein grips over the bulky "journeyman" series line grips.
It's just one of those tools what once you've used a ****** one for a while, then buy something quality, it makes you want to smack yourself for ever messing around with the garbage tool.
There are a lot types of tools you can cheap out on and get great results. Pliers are probably the best example of where that does not work at all, ever.