wire rope(cable) cutters

Bonnan · Oct 30, 2016

Who makes a good hand tool for cutting 3/16 cable? I will be making about dozens cuts while up in a tree so it needs to be a hand tool. This is a one time use and don't want to spend a fortune.
Any ideas sure would help.

MikeinKy · Oct 30, 2016

I have a cable cutter made by channellock that does pretty well.

47fivewindow · Oct 30, 2016

Use the cutter inside the jaws of a pair of vice grips. Tape the area to be cut with electric tape. It may take a few nibbles.

TimV · Oct 30, 2016

A cheapie set of bolt cutters will work also. Not ideal for long-term or heavy-duty use but should work fine for what you're describing. 12 bucks at HF, and I'm sure there's comparable ones (probably made in the same factory in you-know-where) at any of the usual places if they're more local to you than HF.
bolt cutters

JD Seller · Oct 30, 2016

IF your going to want a good tool that you can used for other things for years then I would buy a pair of Channel Lock Cable cutters. They work well and take less effort on smaller steel cable.

2x4 · Oct 30, 2016

battery powered grinder?

Fawteen · Oct 31, 2016

I've always used a cold chisel and a BFH. Nice piece of rail or whatever for an anvil, one good whack and you've got a clean cut with no binding or ragged strands.

Bonnan · Oct 31, 2016

Man, thanks for the quick comments!

rustyfarmall · Oct 31, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:43:44 10/30/16) IF your going to want a good tool that you can used for other things for years then I would buy a pair of Channel Lock Cable cutters. They work well and take less effort on smaller steel cable.

I have a very similar pair that I use for cutting battery cable. Cuts through #1 gauge almost like butter.

edj856 · Oct 31, 2016

Knipex also makes some good cable cutters. I use this pair on 3/16" and 1/4" stainless cable.
Knipex

4wdtom · Oct 31, 2016

Search on Loos and Co. Click on the Cableware division and look for Felco cable cutters. They are the best. I worked for Loos for 17 years as a mechanic and one of the things I did was maintain the cable cutters for the Pomfret CT plant. Hundreds of different sized cable cutters have passed through my hands for sharpening and repair after constant daily use in a manufacturing plant and I can tell you they are the best. Not cheap, but very good. The C-7 will cut up to 3/16 cable, the C-9 will do it a little easier, but will cost more. I think McMaster Carr carries their cutters too. With a small round stone in a rotary tool you can sharpen either several times before they are too worn to close/cut all the way. Check them out.

johndeere720GA · Oct 31, 2016

This is what I have. It works well.
Hand Swager with Cutter

Ray UK · Oct 31, 2016

I would support the sugestion for the Felco C7 also, certainly not the cheapest but far and away the best that I have ever used and cuts any cable without flattening the ends or fraying the strands, also a good size for one handed use.

GordoSD · Oct 31, 2016

And one really dull chisel. LOL

wire rope(cable) cutters

Bonnan

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MikeinKy

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47fivewindow

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TimV

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JD Seller

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2x4

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Fawteen

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Bonnan

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rustyfarmall

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edj856

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4wdtom

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johndeere720GA

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Ray UK

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GordoSD

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