Side cutter Usage

[strnjss]

Well, I know side cutters (diagonal cutters or whatever you call them) are supposed to be used for cutting wire of course. It's what they are designed for, it's what I use them for.

But I see people using them as pliers all the time. installing springs on disc brakes, pulling nails out of stuff, etc.

It seems pretty common....Even Channellock's own video on their side cutters shows them pulling nails from tires using them.

Wouldn't side cutters damage springs in your brakes? Wouldn't pulling nails damage the cutting edge of your cutters?

Wouldn't needle nose pliers be a better tool for these situations, or do others just know something I don't?

 

[sko]

side cutters and flat screwdriver for pulling nails out of tires is awesome. i use mine for that.

 

[MrMark]

Their best use may be pulling nails during remodeling. It doesn't hurt them one bit. Cutting nails may hurt them, depends on the nail.

 

[2drx4]

Cutters grip well because they cut into whatever you're pulling on.

I use mine for pulling cotter pins as often as I use them for cutting them or lockwire. It's fast, and won't damage the cutters since they're plenty capable of cutting the cotter pins anyways.

Otherwise I don't use them for much, there generally is a better tool for the job.

Oh, a soft iron nail shouldn't damage side cutters... Unless you've got some serious Chinese garbage.

 

[mrholeshot]

I was using a set*channellock) yesterday for cutting down some welding rods. Sometimes a welding rod is too long to get where you need to weld. Been doing this for a lot of years and never hurt the cutters.

 

[woody 73]

One day I was watching a carpennter pull some nails with his channellock pliers,I too thought he was going to dull the blade. Sure enough the blade stood up to the job and kept going like that crazy bunny on tv hitting those drums.

I kept looking for a used one at flea markets and one day I found one with the plastic handles,still pulls out nail and cuts wire after all these years.

 

[HandyManny]

The blades only dull and nick on Klien diagonal cutter when using them on anything other than copper or aluminum wires. Channellocks and Knipex hold up just fine to steel nails and steel wire.

Many tools have many uses. Sure the warranty may not cover the tool under some uses, but that doesn't mean you can't use the tool for that purpose. If I need to get a job done and have to sacrafice a $15 or $20 pair of pliers for something to get that job done I'm not going to worry about the warranty. If the tools holds up and survives, then fine, if not, then oh well, not going to cry over it! Not worth my time or money sending it in for evaluation or trying to make a warranty claim if I broke it or damaged it using for something that was not covered by the warranty. I'll just consider it a loss and replace it with a new one myself. I keep a small bucket of a few sacraficial tools that I've damaged during such usage. I just keep them around to use again for future sacraficial use if need be. They include a couple pairs of pliers, couple slightly bent wrenches, few screwdrivers...mostly screwdrivers.

 

[737mechanic]

There are cutters that are only made for wires but the big heavy side cutters I think you are talking about are made to cut all kinds of stuff not just wires. I have used my 20 year old channellock diagonal cutters to pull hundreds if not thousands of cotter pins and to cut cotterpins, welding rods, baling wire, I havepulled nails and screws out of tires and many other things and they still work like the day I bought them.

On the other hand I have only used my flush cut wire cutters to cut small diameter wire because that is all those are made to do. Pic below

 

[Bolster]

Many tools have many uses.

I agree, but watch the s**t rain down on the person who breaks a tool using it outside its very narrowly defined purpose, and posts it here. You get pummeled by a hundred "wrong tool for the job" posts, suggestions for expensive specialty tools that are the "right" tool, that you'll use once every three years, if that.

So if you use a tool outside its narrowly defined purpose, DON'T POST IT AT GJ or you'll be the cat's breakfast.

I GUARANTEE you, if you posted chipped dykes here and said you did it pulling nails, people'd be throwing tomatoes at you, telling you to use a nail puller instead.

 

[kursplat]

I agree, but watch the s**t rain down on the person who breaks a tool using it outside its very narrowly defined purpose, and posts it here. You get pummeled by a hundred "wrong tool for the job" posts, suggestions for expensive specialty tools that are the "right" tool, that you'll use once every three years, if that.

So if you use a tool outside its narrowly defined purpose, DON'T POST IT AT GJ or you'll be the cat's breakfast.

I GUARANTEE you, if you posted chipped dykes here and said you did it pulling nails, people'd be throwing tomatoes at you, telling you to use a nail puller instead.

my favorite side cutters / muti-tool are Kline linemans pliers. i've watch guys on a power pole remove the nail from a wood pin, beat the old pin out of the x-arm, cut the old tie wire, tie in the new tie wire and hammer the nail back in the x-arm without ever pulling a second tool. they last for ever unless you cut too much steel core wire with them

 

[HandyManny]

I agree, but watch the s**t rain down on the person who breaks a tool using it outside its very narrowly defined purpose, and posts it here. You get pummeled by a hundred "wrong tool for the job" posts, suggestions for expensive specialty tools that are the "right" tool, that you'll use once every three years, if that.

So if you use a tool outside its narrowly defined purpose, DON'T POST IT AT GJ or you'll be the cat's breakfast.

Yeah. I've noticed that about this forum. I stayed away from it for a while for another reason, but once back on here I quickly discovered and remembered how it can be here. It's a shame. I got private emails from a few others who jumped ship here in favor of another forum around the same time I did and their reasons were due mainly to the rude and inappropriate flaming that goes on here. I'm not going to blame the moderators, but I belong to a few other unrelated forums that have a pretty good contributing crowd. I credit those forum for being that way in part due to the moderators keeping things civil and the conversations useful.

I suppose I'm guilty of flaming some posters to some degree from time to time, so I'm not going to cry if someone flames me occasionally. Though my replies are generally with the best of intentions. There is a productive way to reply I suppose. One type of forum member I can't ever excuse are the ones who have nothing but sarcasm to reply with only to every thing that's posted or to a post that seems to annoy them. Yet when you look up all that persons posts you can see they've contributed nothing useful at all to anything on that forum. Every forum has at least one of those types.

I think we have two types of members here that clash often. Those who acquire tools to use, and those who simply collect tools. Some members here have a lot of useful practical hands-on real-world experience and others simply have strong opinions based on mixed stuff they've found on the internet. Nothing wrong with collecting tools to look at and admire, or value them for their worth, but in my opinion a tool isn't much use or value to me if I can't pick it up and actually use it. I've broken tools before, but I don't worry much about it. Just my opinion. Then again I'm not one to make warranty claims on stuff that I abused or misused. Guess I better don my Nomex right now!

 

[Mike83]

I got some 2000 series Klien cutters for cutting nails. They are made to cut hardened wire and nails...no fuss no muss.

 

[mrholeshot]

So if you use a tool outside its narrowly defined purpose, DON'T POST IT AT GJ or you'll be the cat's breakfast.

I GUARANTEE you, if you posted chipped dykes here and said you did it pulling nails, people'd be throwing tomatoes at you, telling you to use a nail puller instead.

The Children of the corn will get you. They know who they are

 

[JayL]

I was using a set*channellock) yesterday for cutting down some welding rods. Sometimes a welding rod is too long to get where you need to weld. Been doing this for a lot of years and never hurt the cutters.

Been in same situations before and my Channellock did fine too till I got a better one for this job. The Knipex CoBolt Cutter.

 

[mrholeshot]

Been in same situations before and my Channellock did fine too till I got a better one for this job. The Knipex CoBolt Cutter.

Mine cut them right off clean and easy. Don't know how the Knipex could do any better unless they did the welding for me

 

[JayL]

Mine cut them right off clean and easy. Don't know how the Knipex could do any better unless they did the welding for me

Just a bit more easier on the wrist due to lesser grip force required.

 

[mrholeshot]

Just a bit easier on the wrist due to less grip force required.

No limp wrist in my house

 

[HandyManny]

Saw a few Knipex pliers at Lowes last night. Actually went there looking for some rings to repair my flag pole and happened down the electrical section. Saw those mini bolt cutter you guys are talking about. $39.99, might have to get a pair some day. This is the first time I've actually seen Knipex locally right on the shelf, no locked glass or anything. A worker at that same Lowes told me last years when they were liquidating their Klien tools that Lowes was getting cheap and wanting to carry the cheap stuff. I don't think that I agree with him now. No other local place sells Knipex that I've been too. That Lowes also seemed to have relocated most all the Channellock pliers to the electrical section as well.

 

[Bolster]

This is the first time I've actually seen Knipex locally right on the shelf, no locked glass or anything.

I know! It's shocking, isn't it!!?! First time I saw Knipex at Lowe's I thought something was wrong with my eyes!!

 

[caper]

Locked glass?They're tools not jewelry despite what many here think.Knipex are nice pliers but I don't think they qualify for a glass display case other than in high shoplifting areas.

 

[HandyManny]

Locked glass?They're tools not jewelry despite what many here think.Knipex are nice pliers but I don't think they qualify for a glass display case other than in high shoplifting areas.

Some Home Depots have all the Klien tools behind a locked cage on the shelf, but then some don't. For the stores that do it just screams high crime area if you ask me.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I have also been very tempted by the Knipex Cobolt cutter...although i dont know what i would really use it for... Just seems like the type of thing that would be a blessing to have in your drawer if/when you do need it!
________
Homemade preteen

 

[HandyManny]

I have also been very tempted by the Knipex Cobolt cutter...although i dont know what i would really use it for... Just seems like the type of thing that would be a blessing to have in your drawer if/when you do need it!

I think they'd be great to have in a bug-out bag or something. Maybe help you get through or out of a fenced area.

 

[jeffk14]

In the aviation field, dikes are one of the more basic tools to have around. Constantly used for cutting safety wire and removing cotter keys, among other things.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I use my snap on (longer handled) ones for loads of stuff, such as cutting cotter pins, removing nails from tires, and cutting other various metal things that get in my way. I haven't noticed that they have gotten dull over the years.

 

[Bolster]

Locked glass?They're tools not jewelry despite what many here think.Knipex are nice pliers but I don't think they qualify for a glass display case other than in high shoplifting areas.

Guess you haven't been to an Ace Hardware lately, or a Sears...

 

[Monte]

"tonydanzah" posted these Knipex pliers behind glass @ a Ace hardware store

 

[bentt]

Snap-on side cutter listed in "cotter pin pullers" section.

"Can also be used to pull cotter pins with ease"

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=81617&group_ID=1646&store=canada&dir=catalog

 

[boro_boy70]

my favorite side cutters / muti-tool are Kline linemans pliers. i've watch guys on a power pole remove the nail from a wood pin, beat the old pin out of the x-arm, cut the old tie wire, tie in the new tie wire and hammer the nail back in the x-arm without ever pulling a second tool. they last for ever unless you cut too much steel core wire with them

I'm guilty of abusing Klein lineman pliers on the job. I've hammered J-hooks, pulled/cut nails and bolts, tied them to a hand line to get it thru a tree, they will even cut 5/16 steel strand in a pinch. Saves having to come down in the bucket to get a dropped or forgotten tool. Or if you had to gaff the pole and drop/forget something you'd be suprised what those linemans can do.
I've had the same pair for close to 10 years, and they're still going strong

 

[HandyManny]

I'm guilty of abusing Klein lineman pliers on the job. I've hammered J-hooks, pulled/cut nails and bolts, tied them to a hand line to get it thru a tree, they will even cut 5/16 steel strand in a pinch. Saves having to come down in the bucket to get a dropped or forgotten tool. Or if you had to gaff the pole and drop/forget something you'd be suprised what those linemans can do.
I've had the same pair for close to 10 years, and they're still going strong

Linemans pliers are built like a tank. Solid, just plain solid! A lot of electricians use them for hammers in a pinch.

 

[superautobacs]

Locked glass?They're tools not jewelry despite what many here think.Knipex are nice pliers but I don't think they qualify for a glass display case other than in high shoplifting areas.

If you go to my local Princess Auto, all the Channelock items are showcased.

 

[HandyManny]

If you go to my local Princess Auto, all the Channelock items are showcased.

I'm seeing that more and more with all the good stuff at stores lately. I can't stand it either. They act like they're dealing in gold and precious stones or something. My Advance Auto Parts stores have all the GearWrench and Irwin tools behind the register up front. We have a store locally called The Tool Zone that has all the S-K tool and OTC tools behind a locked glass showcase. My nearest Sears has some of the individial ratcheting wrenches locked onto the hangers on the shelfs. All of my local NAPA store have all their NAPA brand handtools completely out of site behind a wall behind the register.

I like to just walk into a place and pick up anything I need and handle it for a second without a sales clerk breathing down my neck. It's like I keep saying - gone are the days when you could just walk into most better automotive parts store or hardware stores and buy professional grade quality hand tools right off the shelf. I yearn for the days when you could buy tool brands like Proto, Blackhawk, and Diamond Calk right off the shelf at places like Western Auto and other good parts stores.

 

[BlindViper]

Only reason I carry my side cutters is to pull nails and staples. Hell I even used them to "nip" tile one day.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

used my long handle channel lock diag's to "convince" the idiotic brake line brackets on an audi yesterday. i really miss the 6" w.german diag's i had for years, left them in a client's car some time ago - even called to get them back but to no avail. i would take them home and "sharpen" them w/ a mini fine file weekly, near razor edge.

 

[mrholeshot]

A worker at that same Lowes told me last years when they were liquidating their Klien tools that Lowes was getting cheap and wanting to carry the cheap stuff. I don't think that I agree with him now. .

They pulled Klein and replaced it with Greenlee. Greenlee is ****. My lowes was selling knipex when they had Klein. I just don't like the big handles on the Knipex. I do like the smooth movement. They move like they are 5 years old already. I have to go down to HD for my Klien stuff. Pissed me off.

 

[mrholeshot]

I'm guilty of abusing Klein lineman pliers on the job. I've hammered J-hooks, pulled/cut nails and bolts, tied them to a hand line to get it thru a tree, they will even cut 5/16 steel strand in a pinch. Saves having to come down in the bucket to get a dropped or forgotten tool. Or if you had to gaff the pole and drop/forget something you'd be suprised what those linemans can do.
I've had the same pair for close to 10 years, and they're still going strong

Be careful the "Children of the Corn" will be all over you for tool abuse.

 

[boro_boy70]

Be careful the "Children of the Corn" will be all over you for tool abuse.

Thats all right, those linemans will hammer a skull just as good as they hammer a J hook.

 

[Eric Commarato]

"tonydanzah" posted these Knipex pliers behind glass @ a Ace hardware store

They are cheaper at Lowes...

 

[jetz]

I primarily use my side cutters for cutting lockwire, cotter pins, and cable ties.

I initially purchased some Cman pro side cutters from the USA. They were garbage. Those pliers could not even cut 0.032" lockwire. In the end I ended up using some Cman side cutters from here in Canada. They lasted me a few years. I was able to cut 0.032" lockwire, but it was difficult to cut large cotter pins. So I ended up getting the Klein J2000 side cutters. These are great, but a bit big.

Going to look at getting some Snap on complement the Klen. The 808ACP Diagonal mini cutters fits the bill.