Todays Top Tip

[SirKit Breaker]

I was going to buy one of those all singing and dancing SWA stripping tools, as SWA is not my preferred cable to work with. Anyway I didn't get around to it. But whilst trawling through the back of the van for something else, i came across an old Pipe Cutter. It is a ratcheting handheld pipe cutting tool for plumbers, with a thumb wheel to increase the pressure on the pipe. It makes SWA work a breeze, and the cuts are perfect with a little practice. It will do 6mm O/D to 26mm O/D, I used it on 10mm 3 core amongst other sizes, and it makes it very easy, easier than swinging a hacksaw round it.

Cheers........Howard

 

[Adam W]

Do you have a link to something similar?

 

[Adam W]

Like this one?

 

[danzor]

Kewtechnik WSBR28 Steel Wire Armoured SWA Stripper - Blade Runner

seen them around, I never had any probs with a hacksaw so wont be swapping

 

[Adam W]

I've heard that blade runners aren't all they're cracked up to be, but not heard of using a plumbers' pipe cutter before.
It would be interesting to know if they're suitable to use with steel wire or just copper pipe.

 

[danzor]

Im guessing something like this work,s the same way.

Draper Expert 10579 Copper Tube Cutter 3-22mm Cap: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Like this one?

That is the very same

 

[boberty]

I remember a lad at kitson collage used one but it was one you tightend by hand. Always used a hacksaw pesonally, just worried how long cutter would last, & price of spares.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I remember a lad at kitson collage used one but it was one you tightend by hand. Always used a hacksaw pesonally, just worried how long cutter would last, & price of spares.

I use these all the time - for cutting copper tube - but see no reason why they can't be used for cutting the plastic sheath of SWA.

The trick would be to just cut through the plastic & not into the SWA, othewise the cutting wheel will become blunted.

The cutting wheel is replaceable for about £1 each.

There is often a spare cutting wheel fixed on the handle with a screw.

 

[Knobhead]

Hacksaw for me every time. My worry with pipe cutters is damaging the inner serving by compressing it.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Those 'Bladerunners' are RUBBISH. I'm a toolaholic and will try all the latest thingys but this is one of the greatest disappointments. A junior/ senior hacksaw is the ONLY thing to cut SWA with IMO.

 

[mister]

Hacksaw and a Jok, great for long tails.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Jok?????

 

[mister]

You can find it by searching our forum here, electrical advice. And of course tiling advice, and uk tiling forum.

Remove spaces

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I've been using a large Monument pipe cutter on SWA for more than 20 years. My old engineering gaffer showed me how to harden the standard wheel by sintering it with industrial diamond dust. Many hundreds (possibly in to the thousands) of SWA later and it's still going strong. Freddy was a wise old owl, many of the dodges and special bits of kit I use everyday are thanks to his tutoring all those years ago.