Cutting Bicycle brake cables - Tool recommendations

[dadsEH]

Ive always used a cutoff wheel. Works every time. I used to replace PTO cables all the time and always cut them that way. Same with bike brake cables.

X2.0 on this ^^^

 

[KSB]

I also have the Felco C7, they are my recommendation for cutting any type of cable.

 

[cosmik binturong]

first, how many Bowden cables of what diameter are you gonna cut each day with it and for how many years?

if in a professional setting(bike shop) and on a budget, you can get the japanese-made version of the HK Porter cable cutter that is identical to the fine Hozan branded one. the two Knipex mentioned up are very good too and so are the Shimano ones.

but, if you want to only buy once *one* pair for your whole career as a bike mechanic, get a Felco C7 and be done with it.
the Felco look-alikes are for the most part a hit or a miss so i cannot say anything other than "except the Knipex and HIT ones but still not as good as the Felco C7".


all the other solutions(Dremel, MIG, taping the cable, etc.) are probably good if you have way more time than work and not that much cables and sheaths to cut.


one more thing: avoid those sh!tty Park Tool sh!t-cutters. Park Tool does make some good tools but they never made a good cable cutter for at least the last 35 years.

 

[GSteg]

I use my Knipex diagonal cutter. Honestly, it's been working fine for me so I never saw a need to buy a dedicated tool for $50+.

 

[cosmik binturong]

I use my Knipex diagonal cutter. Honestly, it's been working fine for me so I never saw a need to buy a dedicated tool for $50+.

maybe for the same reason that *you* need "dedicated" tools for other things?


i just can't understand the mental block in some of those guys' brains, those that are always buying more socketry items for dedicated tasks while they do already have hundreds of sockets and ratchets(not counting vices and hammers, eh!) and who cannot understand why others might need to buy a tool that performs way better and helps reduce time doing it when doing that task dozens of times everyday...

 

[GSteg]

It's not that I don't understand. I know all about specialty tools as I have many myself, but when I said there was no need to buy a dedicated tool for this task, I was speaking for myself only. My Knipex snips the cable cleanly in one shot. If the Felco can do it way better, than I have no problem with that.

 

[cosmik binturong]

sorry GSteg, the first part was in response to you and was kinda tongue-in-cheeky while the second part was addressed more generally to all those with the 50k automotive toolboxes that cannot understand that there's non-automotive-only minded people that might need different tools that they themselves wouldn't buy for their automotive needs.

and that was a bit of a rant too...

 

[reptilezs]

channellock and similar diagonal cutters do work well on inner wires. they are fine for brake housing too. when using diagonal cutters the blades need to be in good shape, sharp, no dents or gaps. the real use for the cable cutters is when dealing with shift housing.

 

[JSBriggs]

Ive got Felco C7's. Way back in a past life when i worked a a bike shop we had Felco's as well. C3's or 7's will work.

As for finishing the end, I use the smooth barrel crimps (don't like the bell flared ones) but solder as mention before or bees wax work well too.

-Jeff

 

[JML2]

No self-respecting bike mechanic would use a diagonal cutter on any cable on a bike. The Felco C7 has been the long-time champ, but the new Knipex cutter in the top picture is superb. Many reports of bike techs replacing their Felcos with it. Great cable tip crimper, too (the Felcos do not have a crimper). I love it! Model #95 62 190 Wire Rope Cutter.

One of the mysteries of bike tools is why Park cannot make a decent cable cutter, on their own or sourced from someone else.

The one below is a Knipex electrician's plier; I use the basic round hole (not the cable sheath cutter holes) to remove crimped-on aluminum cable tips (put it around the cable, close the pliers above the tip, and pull down).

For outer cable, no matter what cutter you use, if you're a perfectionist or just really care, you will need to file or grind the end until it's smooth, or use a rotary tool with an abrasive disc. Deburr the inside with a cone-shaped burr.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I don't own them but i'd probably look at knipex mini bolt cutters. They were on clearance at Lowes recently.

I got a pair like that, but have not been able to use them yet, but l was thinking they would be good for that application too.

 

[Applesauce]

My Kliens do just fine, despite all the diagonal-cutter naysaying. My Channellocks do almost as well, and my Mastercraft not at all. Most importantly is using something SHARP. And depending on how much bike wrenching you do, something with adequate leverage.

The Felcos are also great; I generally only use my Kleins if I think I'll be needing to crimp an end cap at the same time (i.e., while a customer waits and I'm away from my toolbox), because the Felcos make a superb cut. For housing, Felco-style rope cutters are a must: try using diagonal cutters on 5mm shift housing, and you'll see what I mean!

 

[Carsandtools]

I use tin snips. First, put a lead cinch on the cable below the cut point. Once cut, cap it off with a cable cap available from bike shops.

 

[Flash21]

Thanks JML2

on the Knipex Model #95 62 190 Wire Rope Cutter

 

[SmokeyTheBandit]

Welllll every time the neighborhood kids piss me off and I want a little pay back I just use my trusty rusty bolt cutters. Man the looks on their faces as they careen the hill makes me grin every time!

 

[toolmaven]

You want a confined shear-type cutter for wire rope - that is what bike cable is, small wire rope. The Felco or Park tools are good. I have the Felco. I also have a cutter-crimper made for super-heavy wire fishing leaders, this works too, as it cuts the same way. If you plan on working with modestly larger wire rope, car parking brake cable, big dog tie outs, etc., the HKP cutter crimper, or an import clone from HFT or Fastenal would do bike cable, too, but at c. 24" it's a 2-hander and awkward on the smaller sizes.

 

[racer8432955]

to keep the ends from fraying I use Loctite brand super-glue (in the fancy blue bottle). put on a laytex / nitrile disposable glove, a little glue on my finger tip and slide / stroke the end of cable until the glue starts to dry. has always worked well for me. I can't solder worth a **** (cheap solder iron), and surely can't solder aluminum, haha.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

Good ideas. Marked