Tool for cutting Romex (NM sheathed)

[PassnThru]

Added some lights in the garage a few weekends ago and found that I had trouble cutting the 12/2 with a smallish pair of Craftsman dykes (Yes - I used to cut it with these dykes but they are small and getting dull and before you ask I used 12/2 because I have lots of it). So I'm looking for something to cut mostly 12/2 or 3 and maybe into the 10 range. I don't mind dedicating a pair of pliers to this task so the ability to cut steel wire isn't really needed. Having said that - am I looking at a pair of cable cutters like the Klein J63050? Is that a good choice for Romex or just for individual cables. Would I be better off just grabbing a newer, larger pair of dykes? Would something like that be a better option for cutting coax/ethernet/etc. cable also?
So dykes or cable cutters - pros, cons, preferred uses.
Thanks.

 

[walrus]

Added some lights in the garage a few weekends ago and found that I had trouble cutting the 12/2 with a smallish pair of Craftsman dykes (Yes - I used to cut it with these dykes but they are small and getting dull and before you ask I used 12/2 because I have lots of it). So I'm looking for something to cut mostly 12/2 or 3 and maybe into the 10 range. I don't mind dedicating a pair of pliers to this task so the ability to cut steel wire isn't really needed. Having said that - am I looking at a pair of cable cutters like the Klein J63050? Is that a good choice for Romex or just for individual cables. Would I be better off just grabbing a newer, larger pair of dykes? Would something like that be a better option for cutting coax/ethernet/etc. cable also?
So dykes or cable cutters - pros, cons, preferred uses.
Thanks.

Klein or Ideal or Knipex linesmen pliers.

 

[hh76]

Klein or Ideal or Knipex linesmen pliers.

Works up to about #8 with average hand strength, and is so usefull for other tasks.

 

[PassnThru]

I guess I'm pretty weak then because I don't recall my lineman's pliers being very effective against Romex. However - they are an older Craftsman pair and relatively small. 12/2 will barely fit in the cutter. So - the consensus is that a good pair of lineman pliers should handle the task easily?

 

[brewchief]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-Purpose-Tool-1010/100011065?N=5yc1vZbmc2Z3xg

This is what I use for 95% of my wire cutting and stripping.

I've also got a set of these, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...ipper-Cutter-K1412/100630659?N=5yc1vZbmc2Z3xg

They work decent if you are only working with NM-B wire in 14-2 and 12-2.

 

[PassnThru]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-Purpose-Tool-1010/100011065?N=5yc1vZbmc2Z3xg

This is what I use for 95% of my wire cutting and stripping.

I've also got a set of these, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...ipper-Cutter-K1412/100630659?N=5yc1vZbmc2Z3xg

They work decent if you are only working with NM-B wire in 14-2 and 12-2.

Interesting. I ran out to the garage to experiment. I have a pair of GB strippers with a cutter that looks to be about half as long as your first link. I cut a piece of 12/2 with my dykes, diag cutters, and the cutter on the stripper. The stripper was much easier to cut although it took three cuts - once it hit each side the ground was still proud. Had to cut it separately but it was much easier than the other pliers. I see progress here.

 

[Radix2]

while not the "right " tool - try your aviation snips - the mechanical advantage they have cuts pretty well.

 

[Diesel Benz]

The Klein strippers have good cutters. My Klein pair is about 15 years old and still going strong despite the notch I made in the cutter chopping through a hot piece of 14/2.

If you're looking for a great cutting only tool, the Klein 63050 cutter is great for anything up to and including /0 diameters.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-100-Pair-24-AWG-63050/100492628?N=5yc1vZbofe

 

[James-W]

When I was in the Army back in the 60's, I was in Army Aviation, namely avionics. I worked on the helicopter communications equipment. All of the shops would have at least two pair of wire cutters that would ratchet closed. The ratcheting action would give you an awful lot of torque and cutting even very large wire diameters were pretty simple to do. I had no use for the wire cutters, but guys working on some of the aircraft cables used them on occasion. I tried a pair once just to see how well they worked, and I was impressed to say the least. Unfortunately I don't recall the brand of the tool, but if you could somehow find one I think it would work exceptionally well for you.

 

[PassnThru]

The strippers I have work well even after several years of sporadic use. I don't have a problem with having separate cutters so after the advice and reading between the lines I've decided on this based mainly on the fact that I won't be using them daily:

Cutters

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

The Klein strippers have good cutters. My Klein pair is about 15 years old and still going strong despite the notch I made in the cutter chopping through a hot piece of 14/2.

If you're looking for a great cutting only tool, the Klein 63050 cutter is great for anything up to and including /0 diameters.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-100-Pair-24-AWG-63050/100492628?N=5yc1vZbofe

This is an awesome cutter. I have one in my garage and one in my work van. I use it often to cut non armored fiber optic cable and 100 pair telephone feeder cable.

 

[brewchief]

while not the "right " tool - try your aviation snips - the mechanical advantage they have cuts pretty well.

Cutting any wire with aviation or tin snips will nick the blades and ruin them, I keep a set of bulldog aviation snips in my bag that I don't care about for cutting wire and other **** but I will never cut wire with my good snips, once you nick the blades you will never get clean cuts in sheetmetal again.

 

[DonPowers]

I use these, just $6.78 at HD


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-5-1-2-in-Cable-Cutter-CE70801/202039344

 

[PassnThru]

I use these, just $6.78 at HD

PRODUCT OVERVIEW Model # CE70801 Internet # 202039344 Store SKU # 536265
With durable steel construction and precision-ground hardened cutting edges, the Commercial Electric 7-3/4 in. Cable Cutter provides accurate cuts without cable distortion. This tool cuts round so it won't disrupt the geometry or performance of the cable.
Cuts twisted pair and coax cable
Drop-forged, high-carbon steel construction
Locking latch keeps tool closed
Non-slip cushion-grip handle

You cut Romex with these? Big difference between 12/3 and coax. Just curious.

 

[PT Doc]

The Klein strippers have good cutters. My Klein pair is about 15 years old and still going strong despite the notch I made in the cutter chopping through a hot piece of 14/2.

If you're looking for a great cutting only tool, the Klein 63050 cutter is great for anything up to and including /0 diameters.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-100-Pair-24-AWG-63050/100492628?N=5yc1vZbofe

This style just cuts like butter and then laughs.

 

[DonPowers]

You cut Romex with these? Big difference between 12/3 and coax. Just curious.

All the time, 12-2 to 10-3. Like the size, fits in my shirt pocket, just lock the blade so I don't cut my ****** off.

This is what I'm working on now, wiring the upstairs of my garage. This is all 12-2 in the photo. Using 12-3 for three way light switches and 10-3 for my 30 amp 220 circuits downstairs.

 

[James-W]

The kind we had in the military were pretty much like this. This isn't the brand we had, but they looked very similar. They worked great.

http://www.greenlee.com/products/CUTTER%40cCABLE%40dRATCHET.html?product_id=15948

 

[Radix2]

Cutting any wire with aviation or tin snips will nick the blades and ruin them, I keep a set of bulldog aviation snips in my bag that I don't care about for cutting wire and other **** but I will never cut wire with my good snips, once you nick the blades you will never get clean cuts in sheetmetal again.

nonsense - copper wire is not going to nick aviation snips

you will nick your dikes or snips cutting steel wire unless they are specially hardened ones however.

 

[rick carpenter]

I'm glad I was looking on the net for recommendations on this very same thing and got directed back to GJ! Thanks for initiating the thread PassnThru. I think I'd also rather use cable cutters for cutting Romex as well. I don't have a problem paying for Channellock or Klein if they're the way to go, but does anyone know of Wiss' reputation for their...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wiss-9-1-2-in-Compact-Cable-Cutters-0890CSJW/205208788

or for HK Porter's...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/H-K-Porter-9-1-2-in-Compact-Cable-Cutters-0890CSJ/100155193 ???

Seems like there's not a whole lot of technology to these things.

 

[scoob8000]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...-Purpose-Tool-1010/100011065?N=5yc1vZbmc2Z3xg

This is what I use for 95% of my wire cutting and stripping.

Same here, or at least a very similar pair. The only thing they don't easily cut is 12/3 or 10/2. For that I use my cable cutters.

It all depends on the quality of the tool and how sharp the cutters are. My Klein #9's cut anything I throw at them. My cheapo pair just pinches even 14/2.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

These for #14 and #12 2 cond

http://products.kleintools.com/Stri...pers_slash_Cutters - Dual NM Cable/K1412.html

And these for 3 cond

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F6TGP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Klein also makes the same tool for #10 as well as 90* bent nose for cutting the jacket of Romex when its already install in a j box...

#12 and #10

http://products.kleintools.com/K1210.html

#10 90*

http://products.kleintools.com/Discontinued Products/K90102.html

#12 90*

http://products.kleintools.com/Discontinued Products/K90102.html

#14 90*

http://products.kleintools.com/Discontinued Products/K90142.html

 

[newbinga]

I use a set of commercial electric lineman pliers for 12-2 and 10-2 as well as coaxial and cat 5. No issue

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought a pair of Stanley Linesmen pliers back in '01. While I don't use them everyday, I've used the hell out of them and more than have got my money's worth out of them.

 

[reader2580]

One thing I recommend for diagonal cutters for copper wire is never to cut steel with them as that dulls them. I use Channel Lock 6" diagonal cutters and have two of them for cutting steel and a dedicated pair for copper. Even these have problems with 12/2 Romex, but I don't do enough 12/2 Romex to buy another tool.

I have cut lots and lots of steel hardware cloth with my diagonal cutters which is why I have two just for that task. I do use a cordless circular saw with metal abrasive blade for the long cuts now.

 

[toplessHO]

speaking for someone that uses them on a daily basis theres only 1 to get
Klein 9 NE
They are a multi purpose tool(yes everyone uses them as hammers too)
as a friend said
it takes a rich man to buy a poor quality tool.

 

[PassnThru]

Thanks for the input guys. I did end up ordering these last night. I'm going to look into replacing my dykes and my linesman pliers also. I've used them for everything and anything over the years and I only have one each. The responses made me realize that those tools were getting old and less effective and probably weren't all that great to begin with.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

These for #14 and #12 2 cond

http://products.kleintools.com/Stri...pers_slash_Cutters - Dual NM Cable/K1412.html

This is the best tool to have. Yes, the cable cutters work, but you really don't need them.

 

[PassnThru]

Excuse my ignorance - how can I fit the stripper just posted in the box after I have fed the wires in.

 

[Zeke]

Excuse my ignorance - how can I fit the stripper just posted in the box after I have fed the wires in.

The barb/knife is at the end so you can get close but if you want a neat box you have to strip the sheath and insert through your connector so that only what you want to see is visible. Some are pretty **** about this and I find no fault with that. But they would never strip a Romex cable after inserting unless they carry a few different cutters to clean up the job/

 

[PassnThru]

The barb/knife is at the end so you can get close but if you want a neat box you have to strip the sheath and insert through your connector so that only what you want to see is visible. Some are pretty **** about this and I find no fault with that. But they would never strip a Romex cable after inserting unless they carry a few different cutters to clean up the job/

The boxes I've dealt with seem to require stripping after inserting. Otherwise inserting the wire is much more difficult since the stripped sheathing catches on the box?

 

[Zeke]

The boxes I've dealt with seem to require stripping after inserting. Otherwise inserting the wire is much more difficult since the stripped sheathing catches on the box?

Could be. I still try to cut back the sheath before entering the box. But, if you slit both sides as far down as you can, you can get some small dykes down there to snip the strips and the paper around the ground. You'll never do it neatly with side cutting pliers.

And, I'll admit to doing my share of stripping after the wires are in the box. It becomes marginally more difficult when 2 wires enter through the same hole.

 

[Jeff95TA]

The ones you ordered PassnThru will work great. I picked up a pair of the cheap Kobalt ones last night (needed something right away) and they cut right through #2 AWG.

Speaking of which, I better get downstairs and finish up this wiring!

 

[James-W]

Try a pair of cutters like the one in the link I supplied in post 17 and I am certain you will use it all the time for larger wire. It makes cutting larger wire sizes so easy a child could do it.

 

[rick carpenter]

These for #14 and #12 2 cond

http://products.kleintools.com/Stri...pers_slash_Cutters - Dual NM Cable/K1412.html

I had already just bought these Klein Kurve Duals but was afraid that the cutter wouldn't stand up well (older model pics I saw online didn't have the cutter) and eventually gump up the tightness of stripping edges. The guy at Home Depot today said they'd be OK and that the cable cutters were more for people making a living with romex/etc. I figure if he was willing to dissuade me from a purchase, then he was fairly reliable. So... I'm sticking with my Duals for cutting and stripping romex.

 

[soob]

I have the HF version of those cable cutters and it works great: http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-cable-cutter-40507.html

I just don't bother with it -- I usually cut romex with whatever pliers I happen to have. You can't always cut through it in one go, but after a good squeeze with the pliers, the romex snaps in half when you bend it.

 

[nmk_61802]

I've never had an issue with these and #12 Channellock 369

 

[Gerald O]

I've got a pair of these: http://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-9...pe-Puller-and-Crimper-09-11-240-SBA/203201960

The long handles give extra leverage for cutting and gripping. The cross-serrated jaws grip the wire ends well for twisting. And my favorite feature -- the crimper for crimping copper sleeves on ground wires. A bit expensive though.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I use these for everything,including stripping sheathing off of romex.
They cut #4 copper pretty easy,#2 tends to kick my *** though!

 

[Syberia]

I use these from Harbor Freight for cutting/stripping. I only ever use it for cutting copper wire so it has stayed sharp.

I have a separate pair of dykes from Home Depot that I use for cutting chicken wire, and they have gotten noticeably duller over time.

To strip the jacket off of Romex, I just slice it long ways with a razor blade and cut it off with scissors.

 

[alkknight]

Get a good pair of Klein lineman pliers like the HD2000-9NE. I cut stranded copper up to #2, 6/3, nails, screws, and sometimes nail a box up with them. If they wear out, Klein will replace them. Klein makes cheaper versions, but these are the ones to get.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002RI9Y0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420606802&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31BC2NW95rL&ref=plSrch