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Recommend me good flush cut pliers

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joey1320

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If you're not working around fuel lines, a quick trick is to use a lighter and melt the cut zip ties into roundness.
 

metaldad

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nw indiana
use a pair of linesmans.
grab the extra, right at the 'coupler', and give it a few twists without releasing your 'bite'.
that will be all you need, if you do it right.
the extra 'breaks' off smooth, flush, even at the 'coupler'. i do this all the time
(dont know what the end is called)
 

jimmyin3D

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txvwnut

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I took a pair of cheaper import side cutters to the belt sander and worked them until I got an edge that would provide a good flush cut. Used those until I got the SO dealer to get me a pair of flush cutters.
 

ihateminimumwage

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Don't overthink it, just pick up a set of the current USA made Kliens in the the electrical tool section at the local Home Depot for $9.99.

I use them daily cutting zip ties. They cut easy, clean and flush as they are supposed to.
 

FigureItOut

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I've been through half a dozen or so pairs trying to find the perfect ones for me for cutting zip ties. I've been very happy with this Pro America 4046 set. They're the longest that I've found, the extra reach is very nice at times. b77c44bd20aa31e6eafbf8884a965a64.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
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Citation

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Indy
Xcelite/Weller 170 are great low cost electronics type fish cutters.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B886R2I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also like the Hakkos. The blades aren't quite as good but the handles are better.

I also have a similar set of Xuron cutters. The shape and build quality is inferior to those above. All are designed for soft copper wire and can be damaged easily.
 

MBfreak

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If you care to spend a bit go to the Guitar-Supply place , StewMac.
They have fret cutters which are very good and cuts really close.
I have one and use it ONLY to cut frets when building or refretting solid body electric guitars.

Ola
 

javyLSU

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New Haven, CT
This set has been the best flush cutters I've used so far specifically for zip ties:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crescent-4-in-Shear-Cutter-Plier-Set-2-Piece-S2KS5N/206872615

crescent-plier-sets-s2ks5n-64_1000.jpg
 
OP
O

oldwino

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You guys are awesome. A lot of great suggestons to ponder over. I checked with my Snappy man and all he had on the truck were a pair of Knipex at SnapOn prices. Great looking cutter but always looking to save a buck or two. I'll be busy looking at you all's suggestions.

thanks
 

bwringer

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These things should be considered consumables, not heirlooms; after a while they don't snip as easily, or you had to use them for something else, etc. and they get damaged or a little dull.

Hakko are excellent quality, very sharp, and cheap enough you can toss them without regret when their time is past. I have at least three pairs "active" right now, mainly so I can always put my hands on a pair quickly.

Even though I'm pretty organized, I've learned that having multiple copies of certain heavily-used tools is a huge time-saver I mostly work on Japanese brand motorcycles and cars, so that includes stuff like 10mm sockets and wrenches, flush cuts, #2 phillips/JIS screwdrivers, roto ratchets pre-loaded with 8, 10, and 12mm, 4, 5, and 6mm hex, etc.
 

rlitman

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These things should be considered consumables, not heirlooms; after a while they don't snip as easily, or you had to use them for something else, etc. and they get damaged or a little dull...

Well, flush cutters are pretty easily damaged. But if you're only using them for cutting nylon zip ties then they should last a lifetime. Cutting just copper (I used to use mine for trimming through wire circuit boards), they should last a reasonably long time. Not too long ago, I destroyed a really nice pair of Lindstrom flush cutters trimming some aluminum. Even the best aren't made for abuse.
 

dr_clyde

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I have a couple pair of the smaller Snap-on flush cut snips. I love them, and have bought a second pair for my mobile box as well as a couple sets as gifts.

If they ever don't perform, you just hand them back to the SO dealer and get a new pair.
 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
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I have the Knipex 72 01 140. ~$28 on Amazon. I only use it on plastic and it works great for zip ties - no sharp remains. I think they make bigger ones also.
 

exmaxima1

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I generally use a Panduit tie-wrap tool to tension and snip in one easy squeeze, but if I need to trim them (or cut them off) I use a medium size diagonal cutter. Klein makes a decent pair and you can grind the blades for better access.

When looking for those Kleins it struck me that maybe I have a problem with garage sales...
 

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Rabid Badger

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I don't understand how people can recommend spending 25...40...70 (SEVENTY!) dollars for a tool to cut zip-ties and small wires. The nicest word I can think of to describe it is ridiculous.

OP: I've been using the Hakko cutters daily for years. I've used them to cut things that caused the jaw to snap off of a $35 pair of USA made Kleins. They're so cheap I have a pair in my desk at home, at work, in my shed and in my tool kit for work and I haven't spent $20 yet. I've yet to have a pair require sharpening, but if I ever do it will be a piece of cake.

There's no reason to spend more, but if I did I would probably go with Xuron. They're the only brand I've seen that leaves a cleaner cut, but that is only when trimming soldered component leads on a circuit board.
 

measuredtwice

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Mar 17, 2019
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There are some good deals on Ebay. I bought a couple pairs of $160 carbide tipped Swanstrom flush cutters for less than $20 shipped. They were supposedly used but they look brand new.

Some brands to search for are Swantsrom, Tronex, Knipex... also Lindstrom, Erem. Check the COO since some of the brands have a wide range from cheap import to high end.

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