Wire Cutters

[LukeScotty]

Every sparky needs a good pair of snips, just out of interest which snips are the best and what do people prefer? the good old fashioned ones of the new hightech stripers? price? where can I buy them from?

 

[yorkshiresparky]

I, personally, have always used the Knipex range. They are comfortable to use and hard wearing.

 

[LukeScotty]

Is it possible to get a tool to sharpen your snips or do you just buy a new pair when they turn rubbish ?

 

[shedfull]

re snips
knipex are good as are spear jackson, etc
as well as a good pair of snips I was shown these
Ck Cable Cutter :: T3963 :: Ceka Pliers
they'll cut and strip telephone to tails, coax to cooker cables, two pieces of 2.5 t&e, 4mm flex

since then I only use snips if what I'm cutting is hard, eg swa or pulling old clips
I used to get mine from RS but they seem to be discontinued but ck seem tp be buying them in. enjoy

see if this works

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t20/shedfull_2007/snips.jpg

and again

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t20/shedfull_2007/snips.jpg

 

[LukeScotty]

is it possible to sharpen these snips for when they become a little blunt ? what would you use?

 

[shedfull]

Scotty

is it possible to sharpen these snips for when they become a little blunt ? what would you use?

I really woudn't bother too much over sharpening snips, these last 2-3 years as long as you dont cut steel or live wires , keep old vde snips for rough jobs, pulling old bboxes out etc
on one of my jobs we were using lots of hi tuff these were the only things for the job

if you really want to sharpen, a small oilstone or a diamond sharpener might work, google DMT

 

[LukeScotty]

cheers shedfull, Think am gonna buy a decent pair and a sharpener to sharpen my rubbish ones for the "rough" jobs,

dont take any notice of the make like, just the type http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/skins/popups/scene7.jsp?skuId=9295112
are they any good? how long do they last for? ( a good pair). worth getting if you got say 500 light fittings and wires to strip??

 

[shedfull]

I knew a spark (a girl, no really) who used these end strippers, I bought a pair, used once then left in box at home.

top 3 tools, 4mm flat screwdriver, 7" pliers , the little cable shear in the pic.

then snips, roll o' tape, marker pen

 

[LukeScotty]

I Think I carry too much in my tool belt, Because I'm new to the industry, I'm told all the various odd jobs, so in my belt my top tools are, Chisel, hammer, chalk line, about 5 screwdrivers, stanley knife, marker, pencil, tape measure, mini tape measure, drill bits, flat bits, mini hack saw.

hehe.

Is there any good gadget type products you can buy, I've just bought a joist/stud finder. Its alrite, and it saves a bit of time, when looking for joist above the plaster boards. (usually I have to go up in the loft everytime, or get a piece of wire and jiggle it about