Top 16 Best Side Cutters Of 2024
Brandon Forder May 19, 2024 10:30 PM
An excellent set of diagonal cutters is an absolute must for any builder, handyman, or do-it-yourselfer. Diagonal cutters, in contrast to scissors, don't use shearing action but instead indent and wedge the line to cut.
This particular instrument is used for cutting cables. Copper, brass, aluminum, iron, and steel are just some of the softer metals it can work with. However, a higher-quality cutter constructed of hardened steel is typically required when working with harder materials such as tempered steel cables and piano wire.
In this post, I will examine twelve of the finest diagonal cutters I have used throughout my time as a handyman and later a contractor. The members of my team and I use a wide variety of tools, which I distribute to them as soon as they join the team; therefore, I base my evaluations on the collective knowledge of the entire group.
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Blade quality
If the blades on your cutting pliers aren't sharp and sturdy, it won't matter how well-engineered the pivot is. Cutter blades made from hardened steel or steel alloys are among the best available.
The blades' cutting edge, meanwhile, should reach as close to the fulcrum as feasible in order to maximize leverage. Because it is a first-class lever, the amount of force required to move the weight decreases as it gets closer to the fulcrum. When the weight is near the pivot and the effort is far, the mechanical advantage increases.
Long Handled Vs. Short Handled
The question of whether long or short side cutters are preferable has been discussed for ages. If you poll a group of mechanics, you'll get a wide range of answers.
You need to know what you'll be cutting with your side cutters in order to get the appropriate pair. Do you plan on tackling the tricky job of installing radios under car dashboards? In that case, you should look for side cutters with short handles.
In order to gain the necessary leverage for cutting thick copper wires when replacing components like the starter or alternator, a side cutter with a long handle is recommended. When I have to cut something on the outside of the car, I reach for the long-handled side cutters. They have great leverage and can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
The side cutters I use are all stored in my toolkit. After all, there is an ideal instrument for any task.
Handle Design and Shape
This is a crucial detail to inspect but one that is often disregarded. Check out the cutters at your local hardware store to see if they have a narrow molded grip that will fit your small hands. Plastic dipped handles would be the greatest fit if you have small hands.
This will save your hands from getting tired and hurting from having to reach for the handle over and over again.
On the other hand, those who have larger hands may want to continue using pliers with grips that are large or even gigantic.
Tool weight
Plier weight and feel are important considerations. Pliers that are excessively hefty will create fatigue and impede your productivity.
However, if you don't plan on using your pliers much, their heft won't be an issue. However, if you need to use them frequently for work, lighter is ideal.
Put those lightweight wire cutter pliers on your tool belt and you won't have to worry about them cutting into your hands or waist.
Extra accessories and features
Features at the back of the pivot or on the handle are an optional extra on some models of wire cutters. For instance, some have a crimper or gripper while others come with a tether split ring.
You may want to take this into account while shopping for a pair of diagonal cutting pliers if you're interested in having some options beyond the basic pair.
Can You Sharpen Diagonal Cutters?
Even after years of use, diagonal cutters can be restored to their original sharpness. Start with a smooth file, a vise, and some cleaning supplies.
How to Sharpen Diagonal Cutters?
The first thing you should do is to clean the blade. Cleaning solvents, such as WD40, can be used, or you can simply use soapy water. Make sure that you remove any rust throughout the cleaning process to prepare it for sharpening.
Pliers should be clamped in a vise with the jaws facing you. Ensure that it’s totally secure so that it wouldn’t budge while you’re working on it and maybe damage the blade.
Now, using rapid, short strokes, rub the file along one side of the blade. Be careful not to remove too much metal, since this could cause the edges to become unaligned. The goal is to restore the blade's sharpness by creating a continuous, smooth surface over its whole length.
Repeat the above method on both sides of each blade, eliminating any burrs or kinks to smoothen the surface.
Once you're finished, put the pliers to the test by severing a piece of wire. If the cutting edge is now sharper than it was before, then the diagonal cutters have been successfully sharpened. To finish off, clean off the blades again to remove the excess material you filed off, then add a layer of oil to maintain the new metal edge.
Besides cutting wires, what is another use for diagonal cutters?
Cutters on the diagonal, often known as side cutters, are useful for more than just slicing. They are also used for various purposes, such as freeing jammed cotter pins while changing ball joints in an automobile's suspension.
Based on what criteria should you buy a Side Cutters?
The individual using the tool should determine which Side Cutters to utilize. Different consumers place varying amounts of importance on various features of a given product, based on their individual requirements and preferences. Whether a user opts for cheap side cutters or invests in something more premium in terms of price and quality is a matter of personal preference and available funds.
Compare products based on criteria such as material quality and available extras. It's important to keep an eye on any warranty information that may come with your purchase.
You can get cutters like these at most hardware stores. All of these models are familiar to me from previous projects. Depending on the task at hand, each offers advantages and disadvantages. Consider your intended application before settling on a price range when shopping for side cutters.
Keep in mind that everyone has a unique set of requirements and skills. If you have the time to go to a store and compare the performance of different pairs of diagonal cutters, you should do so; otherwise, you may use the information in my evaluations to make an informed purchase.
