CornwellTools
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2014
- Messages
- 30
Hello everyone, I am looking for a good pair of American made side cutters. I was looking at Proto. Are they any good? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Proto Side Cutters Any Good?
- Thread starter CornwellTools
- Start date
DanarchyCustoms
Well-known member
Not sure how heavy duty you need but these Kleins by far are my favorite. Used them last week to cut 5 pieces of 1/8" Stainless Aircraft Cable without any damage to them. My friend has the same pair and has cut expanded metal with them. They are very strong and are very durable. I highly suggest them.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-8-in-High-Leverage-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers-D228-8/100020319/
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-8-in-High-Leverage-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers-D228-8/100020319/
real induustrial expanded metal or that lightweight stuff? That is some tough stuff for a set of dikes.
Miss_Sissy
Well-known member
It depends on what you're cutting. I have quite a few because I am an electrical engineer. Klein and Xcelite both make some that are excellent for flush-cutting leads of ICs, small gauge copper wire, low wattage resistors, etc. after soldering components into a printed circuit board:
I prefer those to most of the pricier cast and forged tools as they work just as well, have smaller tips for tighter work, and can be replaced for a reasonable cost when the cutting edges become nicked or dull.
If you're looking for something chunkier for non-precision work, then you could check Klein, Xcelite, Ideal, and Channellock, all of which manufacture in the USA.
If you're just looking for high quality and want to avoid cheap Asian tools, there are a lot of very good cutters from Erem (Switzerland), Knipex (Germany). For a mere $89, these could be yours:
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
It depends on what you're cutting. I have quite a few because I am an electrical engineer. Klein and Xcelite both make some that are excellent for flush-cutting leads of ICs, small gauge copper wire, low wattage resistors, etc. after soldering components into a printed circuit board:
I prefer those to most of the pricier cast and forged tools as they work just as well, have smaller tips for tighter work, and can be replaced for a reasonable cost when the cutting edges become nicked or dull
If you're looking for something chunkier for non-precision work, then you could check Klein, Xcelite, Ideal, and Channellock, all of which manufacture in the USA.
If you're just looking for high quality and want to avoid cheap Asian tools, there are a lot of very good cutters from Erem (Switzerland), Knipex (Germany). For a mere $89, these could be yours:
The tiny little Klein cutter is my pet for soldering related projects.
Now That Knipex photo is like waving a carrot in front of an Old Goat
DanarchyCustoms
Well-known member
He was onsite setting up a show and needed to cut this metal back. It wasnt the heaviest gauge EM but definitely more butch than the stuff you get from HD. For a $23 pair of dikes from HD, they can't be beat by anything else in that store.
Miss_Sissy
Well-known member
The tiny little Klein cutter is my pet for soldering related projects.
Now That Knipex photo is like waving a carrot in front of an Old Goat
I probably should have mentioned, for the benefit of those not familiar with it, that the Knipex TwinForce is a compound tool with 2:1 leverage due to its unique pivot design.
cat-mechanic
Well-known member
Yup, Proto is good stuff. But if you don't like them, feel free to mail them to me.