Flush Cut Pliers

[HaroRider]

Hey all, so I want to purchase a pair of flush cut pliers. What would be the best option? Mainly for zip ties, small steel cables, etc.

Not too concerned on price or COO. Just want good quality. Not looking for side cutters, only flush cut pliers.

Thanks.

 

[plinker]

I bought a Matco set, 3" & 6" sizes, they are ok, nothing special. I've had to warranty the Matco's, but they do get quite a bit of use. I did buy a Snap-on 786CF 6" pliers, I think that's the number. They are pretty nice.

Knipex has some decent looking ones as well.

Edit to add;

The Matco's also have "not for steel" marked on them, something to consider if someone borrows them. I think the Snap-on's say something about soft metals only as well.

 

[seanb02]

I am actually interested in this as well, so posting in order to keep any eye on developments. Couple months ago was looking at things on the Snap-on truck, and they didn't really have anything that caught my eye. Seemed to be that flush cut pliers are strictly plastic only. However as I mentioned to them there is no doubt in my mind at some point I would reach in my toolbox and grab them and use them on metal for some reason or other.

I should mention the Snap-on truck also carries Knipex pliers along side of Snap-on. They had a decent selection, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there is in fact something from either one of the companies that would work. I never got around to researching further.

 

[M6erfan]

I bought these a couple months ago, they work great...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0756YR7XX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not for cutting steel though

 

[anetode]

The tsunodas are great for zip ties.

Alternately, Hakko CHP TRR-58-G is fairly cheap and effective. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPL6NU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Edit, or, for fancy: Victor ZV80-200 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07FGT58Y5/

 

[measuredtwice]

For cutting hard wire, you will get much more life out of carbide tipped flush cutters like the ones in the quote below. Made in the USA for medical use and they retail for a lot of dough but I picked them up for cheap on Ebay.

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.

 

[Waterjunky]

Generally flush cut is only for delicate and soft materials. Due to the shape of the cutting face to get a flush or semi-flush cut, the cutting edge is inherently weak. Staying out of carbide and such, they are all soft. Klein makes a good one that I use all the time for copper and zip ties. I do not have the numbers with me. a little digging and they will surface.

 

[designer485]

For premium cutters, I recommend the Lindstrom RX8140. I have 4 of these and they are fantastic. They are very sharp, rated for copper wire and are perfectly flush. I have cut small awg steel cable with them and they have done great.

For a budget model (literally $5 on amazon), these Hakko's are awesome. I have not tried any steel wire on these though.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought this tie cutter. It works really well.
https://www.digikey.ca/product-deta...506oYHg5sS5cI7A4cAaMcS0nRUfCkntBoCCMgQAvD_BwE

 

[FigureItOut]

I like the Pro America 4046 5.5" flush cutters. I went through several pairs and have stuck with these the longest. They are the longest pair I could find outside of the crazy price SO gets for their 6" pair, nice thin head and good handles. Like the others mentioned, I wouldn't be cutting any steel with them and expect them to last.

 

[Dimitriy]

I got the Fujiya flush cutters, but have only used them on zip ties so not sure how they would hold up cutting anything other than plastic. Build quality and fit / finish is excellent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077B8YMRL?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[anetode]

For cutting hard wire, you will get much more life out of carbide tipped flush cutters like the ones in the quote below. Made in the USA for medical use and they retail for a lot of dough but I picked them up for cheap on Ebay.

Good point. For the cheaper Hakko cutters, they'll just wear out quicker, but it would be a shame to ruin a nice one.

Luckily, obscure Japanese tools to the rescue:

3.peaks KB-150S

 

[sweet victory]

For cutting hard wire, you will get much more life out of carbide tipped flush cutters like the ones in the quote below. Made in the USA for medical use and they retail for a lot of dough but I picked them up for cheap on Ebay.

Picked up a very nice condition set off ebay per your recommendation for $13 shipped! Really curious to try them out. Thank you for sharing!

 

[driz]

I am actually interested in this as well, so posting in order to keep any eye on developments. Couple months ago was looking at things on the Snap-on truck, and they didn't really have anything that caught my eye. Seemed to be that flush cut pliers are strictly plastic only. However as I mentioned to them there is no doubt in my mind at some point I would reach in my toolbox and grab them and use them on metal for some reason or other.

I should mention the Snap-on truck also carries Knipex pliers along side of Snap-on. They had a decent selection, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there is in fact something from either one of the companies that would work. I never got around to researching further.

Hell if you’re only going to use them on wire and nylon ties save your hard earned cash and get a cheap Chinese set of dikes. Something that stands out it paint mark them. No sense paying top dollar to do stuff like that.


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[Fulcrum]

I am actually interested in this as well, so posting in order to keep any eye on developments. Couple months ago was looking at things on the Snap-on truck, and they didn't really have anything that caught my eye. Seemed to be that flush cut pliers are strictly plastic only. However as I mentioned to them there is no doubt in my mind at some point I would reach in my toolbox and grab them and use them on metal for some reason or other.

I should mention the Snap-on truck also carries Knipex pliers along side of Snap-on. They had a decent selection, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there is in fact something from either one of the companies that would work. I never got around to researching further.

The "plastic only" flush cutters from Snap-on are really nice, but for cutting zip ties it seems silly to spend $65 on a pair of pliers. You can modify an older pair of Snap-ons to do the exact same thing with no effort.

 

[gregpack]

Hell if you’re only going to use them on wire and nylon ties save your hard earned cash and get a cheap Chinese set of dikes. Something that stands out it paint mark them. No sense paying top dollar to do stuff like that.


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Flush cut pliers cut the zip tie off smoothly. They don't leave a sharp edge that can scratch you. I work on equipment that literally has hundreds of zip ties on it and I consider them indispensable.

I also have the Tsunoda KBN-150, They work well and I think are rated for up to #10 wire. Amazon sells them.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

I bought a pair of the Snap-On 786CF flush cutters for zip ties, and really really like them. Not for use with steel wire/cable though.

 

[stonesfan68]

I have some Knipex 7201160 flush cut pliers for use with plastic zip ties

https://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-6-1-4-in-Diagonal-Flush-Cutters-72-01-160/205944312

They cost $24 and are made in Germany. I just couldn’t see spending $68 for the SnapOn version since I’m a DIYer.

 

[CR888]

I bought this tie cutter. It works really well.
https://www.digikey.ca/product-deta...506oYHg5sS5cI7A4cAaMcS0nRUfCkntBoCCMgQAvD_BwE

At $546US a pair, they'd wanna cut plastic cable ties well. You could well stock your tool chest draw full of pliers for that sort of money.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Flush cut pliers cut the zip tie off smoothly. They don't leave a sharp edge that can scratch you. I work on equipment that literally has hundreds of zip ties on it and I consider them indispensable.

If you cut zip ties through the width as opposed to through the thickness. It won't leave much (if any) of a sharp edge.

 

[rlitman]

If you cut zip ties through the width as opposed to through the thickness. It won't leave much (if any) of a sharp edge.

I've tried that method. It pinches the tie, leaving two little burrs, but you're right that they're not the type of sharp edge that will draw blood. What bothers me though is that you're deforming the tie right under the locking wedge, and I worry that it might reduce it's strength.

 

[928'er]

Klein makes a good one...

I recently received a pair of the little Klein D275-5 flush cutters from Amazon.

To put it bluntly, they are absolute ****. Horrible quality control. The blades only make actual contact for about 40% of their length You can see daylight between the cutting edges for the remaining 60%. The blades are not even ground to the same length.

They are so bad I tried to send them back, but Amazon refunded my money and told me to keep them. Threw them in the "junk" drawer.

Spend the extra $5 for the Tsunoda's that M6erfan recommended. They are worlds better.

 

[bochnak]

I have the Hakko CHP-170. Cheap and great for zip ties.

 

[AldeanFan]

I like my channellock 758 flush cuts for cutting zip ties


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[metaldad]

save some munney -
plastic ties............... use a pair of linesman's. grab the excess as near the 'buckle' - or whatever it's called - as possible. 3-4 twists, in the same direction, it'll snap off flush.

 

[bert1913]

these work great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZPDG1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20 i slip a piece of 3/8 rubber hose over over the tip when storing them.

 

[mlittle29]

I bought a pair of the Snap-On 786CF flush cutters for zip ties, and really really like them. Not for use with steel wire/cable though.

I have those too. Really nice set!!


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[Shadowdog500]

I keep several harbor freight micro flush cutters around for zip ties and they work great.

https://www.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html

 

[PugetDude]

I have the Hakko CHP-170. Cheap and great for zip ties.

I ordered a pair of these from Amazon due to the recommendations on this thread; they arrived today-initial impression is very good.
$5.12, BTW