Toughest Side Cutters

[BQuicksilver]

What do you use and why? They tend to be a tool that takes a disproportionate volume of abuse around here, so I want good metallugy and comfort doesn't hurt.

I'm not the type who's too good for the cheap stuff when it's safe, but I try to buy the best when the tool will need good metal quality (esp bits/cutters - HF always fails there). Hopefully you guys have been through enough side cutters to help me buy good ones the first time.

 

[eschoendorff]

What do you use and why? They tend to be a tool that takes a disproportionate volume of abuse around here, so I want good metallugy and comfort doesn't hurt.

I'm not the type who's too good for the cheap stuff when it's safe, but I try to buy the best when the tool will need good metal quality (esp bits/cutters - HF always fails there). Hopefully you guys have been through enough side cutters to help me buy good ones the first time.

My personal favorite are my FACOM side cutters. They are simply the best I have ever come across. Second would be my Kleins. If you want quality USA made, go for Klein or even Channellock.

Look into Knipex too. Everything that I hve ever used from Knipex has been first-rate.

 

[toolfreak]

I have had good luck with channellock cutters.

 

[OldCarGuy]

My personal preference for side cutters and pliers would be Channel Locks or Kleins.

This summer I toured Channel Lock’s manufacturing plant in Meadville Pennsylvania. The plant may have been old and by and large outdated, though they are in the process of updating to some newer CNC equipment. The working conditions were harsh, typical foundry setting. But it was easy to recognize the pride the worker took in making their tools! And seeing the workers in action gave me a new found appreciation for their tools.

 

[TNToy]

Snap-On. Period.

Facom and those european-made Knipex are also very good quality tools. But nothing's quite up there with the USA-made snappy's.

If I had all of my tools stolen... A soft-grip snap on screwdriver set and all of pliers would be at the absolute top of my replacement list. Nothing else holds their edge quite like their pliers/screwdrivers do.

 

[strizzy]

I personally love the MAC ones, I have a pair of Knipex that I love to death. My old man has both the mac and knipex with many miles on them... (and FWIW these are 25+ years old)

 

[iiibdsiil]

My Snap-on one is still alive and kicking after I got it used, and have had it for about 4 years now. I cut everything that will fit inside the jaw and tried a bunch of stuff that I couldn't get through. Still work like a charm.

 

[TNToy]

Knipex: Go to www.matcotools.com and enter these part #'s into the search...

PDC6
PDC8
PDC10
PCC10

Snap on: Same deal... slap the part # into the search box on the main page. www.snap-on.com

184CCP
85BCP
87BCP

They both also sell an extra-long flavor that fits well in hard-to-reach areas. Snap-on's is the 11" long 311CP and 312CP

A good indication of the quality is that most plier-makers warn you on the package somewhere not to try cutting hardened materials, only cut copper wire, and whatever else. Snap-on specifically lists a couple of those as being ideal for "pulling cotter pins" ... I think it mentions something about cutting them, too.

 

[chevy302dz]

Channellock and SnapOn make the best pliers hands down. Except for locking pliers ViseGrips own that title.

 

[eschoendorff]

But... you haven't lived until you've tried FACOM.

I have some Snap On and Klein, but I always reach for the FACOM first.

 

[chevy302dz]

But... you haven't lived until you've tried FACOM.

I have some Snap On and Klein, but I always reach for the FACOM first.

The FACOM's are nice to use, but in terms of the quality and hardness of the steel their not as good as their american counterparts. I know, I hit up the Sears clearence sale too. lol

 

[TNToy]

I've found the same thing. Facom is extremely nice stuff and probably has the best ergonomics... but Snappy and Knipex are more durable.

 

[kartracer55]

Snap On's. Hands down win. My pair has to be a good 30+ years old and they still cut like the brand new pairs I use. The Channel Lock code blue and SK's are nice but I cant comment on thier longevity.

Id say spend the 40$ or so and get a pair of the snap-on's you wont regret them, not in the least bit. For most other pliers Id say just get craftsman or channel locks, but this is one item where the snap-on price is justified. The Channel lock code blue pliers are quite nice though, Id be interested to hear if anybody can comment on how they have held up to daily use

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

Klein. Think about it.. klein makes the best tools for electricians, and what do electricians use most? Linesmans pliers, side cutters, and screwdrivers. And i would argue that NO ONE is better than klein at making those three things.

Channellocks are good tool... i have channellock side cutters in my tool box and klein in my tool belt... but the channelocks havent been abused for long enough for me to comment on their longevity

HOWEVER, I have had a pair of channelock end nippers for a long time.. i nicked them trying to cut a small high grade bolt, but that's really not what they were designed for

 

[bmwpower]

Snap-on, eh? Do they make a spring back model?

 

[TNToy]

How big are you wanting? Larger, general automotive size... or tiny electronics ones?

(Are you going to be stripping 24ga. wire or pulling cotter pins with them?)

 

[BQuicksilver]

I've got some nice smaller snap-ons that I use for zip ties/small wires, but I want some here that I can really abuse with bigger jobs. I have a habit of using side cutters to pull nails rather than using the claw side of the hammer.

 

[eschoendorff]

I've got some nice smaller snap-ons that I use for zip ties/small wires, but I want some here that I can really abuse with bigger jobs. I have a habit of using side cutters to pull nails rather than using the claw side of the hammer.

Then just get Kleins or Channellocks. Skip the Snap Ons and FACOMs in my opinion. The others are cost-effective, durable and readily available.

 

[VvvJRvvV]

Hands down, get Klein's. I have the same pair of linesman's pliers I bought when I was 14 (some 23 years ago or so). I have bought new Klein's but don't quite like them as much as the older ones. They are still the number one brand for electrician's.

On a side note, if anyone has any old Klein's they want to get rid of, message me. I do some older tool collecting.

 

[kartracer55]

I use end cutters as general pliers as well, but as long as your carefull you wont really do much damage. For example, I pull nails out of tires with end cutters. I also pull plud/patch combo's through tires with end cutters. They are pretty durable. Sometimes it pays to keep a dull pair around simply for the thin edges, afterall, sometimes you need a thin edge.

Jim

 

[TNToy]

Then just get Kleins or Channellocks. Skip the Snap Ons and FACOMs in my opinion. The others are cost-effective, durable and readily available.

I'd have said the opposite. I 've used Snappy side-cutters on many occasions in the past to pull nails out of tires or cut a cotter pin & ****** it out of a tie-rod end.

The cheap ones get their edges deformed badly. The Snap-on's need warrantied every 5 years or so from this, but hold up a jillion itmes better than a set of channel-locks would have.

 

[kartracer55]

I'd have said the opposite. I 've used Snappy side-cutters on many occasions in the past to pull nails out of tires or cut a cotter pin & ****** it out of a tie-rod end.

The cheap ones get their edges deformed badly. The Snap-on's need warrantied every 5 years or so from this, but hold up a jillion itmes better than a set of channel-locks would have.

You can get snap ons warrantied for wear? Do they do that will any other tools?

 

[l_bilyk]

I think you people have been brainwashed by that snap-on = the best propaganda. If snap on cutters were ACTUALLY superior to channellock or klein then you would see all the electricians using them. Frankly, side cutters can only last so long. And they're all high quality heat treated US steel, no matter if you buy snap on other other well known brands. The reason why I would shy away from snap on is because the other brands 1. offer more selection and 2. cost less

 

[chevy302dz]

I'd have said the opposite. I 've used Snappy side-cutters on many occasions in the past to pull nails out of tires or cut a cotter pin & ****** it out of a tie-rod end.

The cheap ones get their edges deformed badly. The Snap-on's need warrantied every 5 years or so from this, but hold up a jillion itmes better than a set of channel-locks would have.

A pair of ChannelLock pliers will take just as much abuse as Snap On in any given plier type. Both make quality tools.

 

[TNToy]

You can get snap ons warrantied for wear? Do they do that will any other tools?

They're not supposed to. However, they may suddenly experience catastrophic impact failure in a vise on the snap-on truck.

You guys have to remember (and I keep forgetting to factor in) that I spend a lot of money with my Snap-On driver. There has to be a point where that factors in, no matter what their PR types say.