Side cutter - nail clippers or wire cutters? Side cutters - how to choose a quality tool. Types, device and use of the tool Which side cutters are better to buy

I think every home has simple wire cutters that are very useful when working with wire, wires and even nails. So, the correct name for this tool is side cutters.

We all know very well how they work and how much benefit they can bring. But few people know that they come in different types, and even when choosing such a seemingly simple tool, there are some peculiarities.

Appointment of side cutters

First, let's talk about the scope of this tool. A person's productivity is affected not only by his skills, but also by the quality of the tools he uses. There is a price to pay for versatility. This statement is also true for simple side cutters.

If you need a tool that can work under voltage, then you will need to pay extra. Cheaper options are only suitable for simple assembly and plumbing tasks.

Simple side cutters can be used almost everywhere, but you can’t work with wires that are under high, and not very, voltage. For this, it is worth using wire cutters made of materials that are not conductors of electricity.

Simple side cutters are also good, just not safe in certain conditions. They also cut thin metal well, help with wires and cables that do not carry current, and easily deal with plastic. The size of the tool itself determines the thickness of the material it can cut.

If the side cutters are dielectric, they can be manipulated under voltage, but it is still recommended to use, in addition, special dielectric gloves. Such a tool can work with networks up to one thousand volts.

At the same time, the temperature of the environment in which you have to work should not be lower than minus twenty degrees Celsius, and should not exceed 70 degrees. The level of humidity in such a room, or on the street, should not be higher than 80 percent, in relation to 25 degrees of air temperature in Celsius.

Classification

Side cutters are divided into several groups, depending on the size, shape and purpose. More massive models, which are designed to work with materials of greater thickness, are called bolt cutters. They are able to work with thicker sheets of metal, wires and fasteners with a larger diameter, and are themselves large.

Almost all models of modern side cutters have a dielectric coating on the handle. So which side cutters are better - those with insulation on the handles, or is it not required?

Of course, it is not necessary, but it is much more convenient to buy such a tool once and not think that you do not have equipment for working under voltage. Moreover, we do not buy wire cutters every month, and, I think, not even every year. This is an item that can be useful for many years, with the right choice and operation.

Side cutters that have an additional coating are also good for ease of use. They do not slip in the hand so much, and therefore it is much more pleasant to work with this option. In addition, they do not absorb moisture and are not damaged when dropped, like cheap plastic pens.

Most often there are cutters of three sizes. The first are side cutters 15 centimeters long. These are mainly used for small wiring, work with small electronics and appliances.

Side cutters 18 centimeters long are less common. These are more often used when working with large and thick wires and sheets of metal of higher thickness.

Working with side cutters

The purpose of side cutters depends more on the person who uses them. But in any case, when buying, you should carefully examine the wire cutters. Handles should not have any defects - this applies to both the coating and the general shape of the handles.

Slightly curved handles can be very uncomfortable when working, and damage to the dielectric coating, under certain conditions, becomes a threat to life. Therefore, do not neglect trite simple tips.

Side cutters are good not only for cutting thin metal and cutting wires. To do this, it is enough to place a wire, or a piece of a sheet of metal, between the jaws, and apply force to the handle.

If you do not want to cut the wire, but simply strip the insulation from it, you can use the screw to adjust the wire cutters. Having slightly unscrewed it, it will be possible to apply force to the side cutters without fear for the cable core. If there is no such screw, then you will need to rely only on your own strength and accuracy.

It is best to take side cutters that have a reinforced design and a dielectric coating on the handles. Also, such a model must have an adjusting screw.

Such a tool is well suited for all household tasks, whether it is working with a wire, or cutting metal, the thickness of which, for example, is 3 millimeters.

Also look at the base material of the wire cutters. It is better if it is hardened steel, on the lips of which there will be special titanium inserts. This strengthens the tool and makes it more reliable.

Photo side cutters

Pliers are an essential part of any craftsman, be it a professional locksmith, installer, plumber or electrician.

They can capture, hold, bend and twist various objects, including those under voltage (when using dielectric models).

How to choose pliers

The first thing to consider when choosing a tool is for what purpose it is needed. If the product is required as a working hand tool of the master, then their professional types should be considered.

Varieties intended for domestic purposes are not suitable for constant use and increased loads.

The second criterion is the manufacturer. A high quality tool can last for many years if properly maintained.
You need to pay attention to the performance and functionality of the pliers. Electricians need to be sure to choose electrically insulated models. It is desirable for professionals to have several types of products for various types of operations.
It is desirable to choose tool handles that are ergonomic, repeating the anatomical shape of the hands. In the case of prolonged use during a work shift, the hands of the master will get tired less.
When choosing hand tools, their color matters, since, for example, black pliers are hard to find in dark rooms.

Therefore, it is advisable to give preference to models with a bright coating of handles. Nowadays, you can even buy pliers with fluorescent handles that will glow in the dark.

When choosing a product, you need to check it by squeezing the handles. In this case, the jaws of the tool should close tightly and evenly.
The desire to save money on hand tools and the purchase of goods not from authorized dealers may entail the purchase of non-original products.

This will be a waste of money as they won't last long. A fake will not meet security requirements.

It does not matter what kind of decorative coating the body of the product has (chrome, nickel, etc.), that is, the external beauty of the instrument. It absolutely does not affect the functionality and other essential characteristics of the product.
The presence of additional functions in highly specialized models (most likely, they will not be useful).

The best combination pliers are Knipex. Their manufacturer is a German company that produces high-quality hand tools according to VDE standards.

The pliers of this company can bite through hard wire. They are the most expensive, but at the same time durable, ergonomic and high-performance.

Pliers for professionals under the brand name Bahco(Sweden) are among the best and are produced in factories in Western Europe and the USA.

The products comply with the ISO standard. All Bahco combined products are electrically insulated.

branded tools IRWIN(USA) are also professional and of high quality.

This manufacturer's electrically insulated combination pliers comply with VDE standards, but they have a shorter life than the above models.

The combined product has wire cutters in the middle and on the sides (side slots in the hinge area). In addition, the pliers have a notch with teeth to capture rounded objects of small diameter.

This model is designed primarily for gripping and handling wire and cylindrical objects. Modern pliers can be equipped with a return spring or adjustable hinge to adjust for pipes of different sizes.

Pros:

multifunctionality,
versatility.

Minus: most often domestic orientation.

Corresponding products of the company BeadSmith is a high quality silicone coated handle that is non-slip and fits well in the hand.

They are ideal for wire alignment and work with brittle material, but are quite expensive.

Model HTP-18 with nylon nozzles Micron is the most popular in Russia due to the excellent combination of price and quality. It has high functionality, despite the budget cost.
Tools with nylon tips production Beadalon(USA) are functional and easy to use, but their quality is no better than that of the cheaper Micron model.

Pliers designed for jewelry making and other similar work are made with nylon tips (tips).

This is a tool with a non-slip grip and soft protection on the lips, which allows you not to scratch fragile parts. They can also be used for domestic purposes.

Because this model is not designed to operate on live electrical installations, its handles are not properly insulated from electrical current.

In addition, such tools are not reinforced and do not have a large margin of safety. They cannot be used for other purposes, as they will quickly become unusable from improper use.

Wire stripper pliers BAHCO 2223 S-150 high quality alloy steel with plastic coated handles are treated with oxidation and anti-corrosion treatment; able to clean the wire up to 5 mm.
Electrical pliers for insulation stripping KRAFTOOL made of high quality carbon steel with plastic handles and anti-corrosion coating.

These products are of good quality at an average price, but can only strip wires up to 2.5 mm.

Insulation stripping pliers « ZUBR ELECTRICIAN”, high-voltage from high-quality tool steel, have a resistant chromium-nickel coating.

Wire stripping pliers are electrically insulated. They are suitable for operation on live electrical equipment up to 1000 V (alternating current) and 1500 V (direct current).

With these tools, you can strip wires up to a maximum of 5 mm. Their mechanism allows you to remove the insulation without damaging the current-carrying wires.

Such products are safe and functional, but they cannot be used for other purposes.

BAHCO 2713 A made of vanadium steel with chromium-nickel coating and anti-corrosion treatment.
Adjustable pliers USAG(Italy) made of chrome-vanadium special steel with 7 positions and enamel finish.
ProsKit PN-P010N (254 mm) in S45C steel with insulated handles.

Adjustable pliers are a type of pliers that allow you to change the opening width of the jaws depending on the size of the object to be grasped.

Such models have clamps to set a certain opening width. They can grip both flat and round objects.

When squeezing the handles, the jaws of such a hand tool should converge tightly.

The regulation mechanism is carried out with a rearrangement of the hinge:

in holes;
in half holes;
with fixation of protrusions in the grooves.

The ability to change the position of the jaws is an undoubted advantage of this variety, but the disadvantage is a certain bulkiness.

Electrically insulated models of the firm Knipex there are combined (ordinary and special power), as well as in the form of elongated pliers.
All pliers Bahco are electrically insulated (side cutters, wire cutters, pliers, round jaws, bolt cutters). The quality of these products is practically not inferior to Knipex, but the price is slightly lower.
Electrically insulated combination models, platypuses, wire strippers, side cutters and needle nose pliers under the brand IRWIN(USA) are of high quality and safe.

This variety allows you to serve electrical installations with alternating voltage up to 1000 V or direct voltage up to 1500 V.

Dielectric pliers are equipped with well-insulated handles that ensure the safety of the master from electric shock. The electrical insulation of good tools consists of several layers. They are easily recognizable by their thicker grips.

Different models of pliers can be dielectric. This increases their functionality and security. However, models of some manufacturers do not have limiters.

Adjustable pliers - wrench KNIPEX made of chrome vanadium steel, forged, oil-hardened. Quickly rearranged with the push of a button.
Adjustable pliers Bahco with 11-12 positions, switching by 1 button.
Adjustable pliers IRWIN forged carbon steel with pinch protection.

Sliding models allow you to grip round, hexagonal, square and flat objects as tightly as possible. The jaws of such a tool have a bend.

The dimensions of the sliding pliers are larger than those of simple types. The opening width of the jaws is adjusted in some cases by pressing a button and can be adjusted with one hand. Capture width is up to 45 and 65 mm.

Side cutters KNIPEX made of vanadium steel, melted in an electric furnace, oil-hardened, precision machined for a long service life.
Side cutters Bahco(high-quality alloy steel with anti-corrosion treatment) with progressive cutting edge geometry.
Diagonal cutting pliers IRWIN made of chromium-nickel steel with a hardened cutting edge.

The side pliers have a cutter on one side of the jaws. In fact, these are wire cutters designed for cutting (biting) objects from various materials.

Side cutters can be used with wires of varying hardness, plastics, sheet metal, cardboard, etc.

When operating this model, it must be borne in mind that a variety designed for biting copper will not cope with elements made of harder materials (iron, steel). Doing so will damage the cutters of the tool.

long nose pliers KNIPEX.
Products with long jaws Bahco.
long nose pliers IRWIN.

Models with elongated jaws are called long nose pliers, platypuses or needle nose pliers. They are designed to grip and manipulate objects (primarily wires) at a greater distance than conventional models.

Such tools can be equipped with wire cutters.

Most often, this model is used for wiring in distribution boxes, when laying wires, and also when connecting electrical installations. They are also widely used by jewelers to fix stones in jewelry.

round nose pliers KNIPEX forged chrome vanadium steel, oil-hardened, heavy-duty.
Model with round jaws Bahco made of high quality alloy steel with anti-corrosion treatment.
round nose pliers IRWIN from chromium-nickel steel.

Tools with semicircular jaws are designed for working with wire. They come without cutting edges or with them. In the presence of cutters, such products, in addition to grabbing and manipulating the wire, can also bite it.

Semi-round jaws are specially designed for gripping uneven surfaces. They are made from hardened steel. The tool is in demand for plumbing and assembly and repair work.

Advantages of the type: you can work in hard-to-reach places with round holes. At the same time, their weak point can be called a small area of \u200b\u200bthe working surface.

Pliers recycling firms AIST from chrome vanadium steel.
Percussion tools matrix from chrome vanadium steel.
Multifunctional fishing products Frichy FPN 02 made of polished stainless steel, equipped with a fixation for safe wear.

Multifunctional (shock-mechanical) pliers can be used for their main purpose, as well as as a hammer.

This model is equipped with long handles and a metal striker for impact on various objects (nails, etc.). Such products have a fairly large weight and increased dimensions.

There is also a multifunctional (utilization) model. In addition, there is a folding model on the market, which is equipped with a knife, an opener and a set of screwdrivers. This product is best suited as part of a camping equipment.

The tool belongs to a variety of nippers. The main goal is to cut hard materials (wires or wires) by squeezing the blade, while the working cutting surfaces are located on the side. With the help of side cutters, you can bite single-core wires (copper or aluminum) of large cross section up to 10 squares.

The tool itself is very durable, as it is made of high-tech metal. It is comfortable due to the handle, which is made of a special material that prevents sweating of the hand when working for a long time.

Operating principle

The mechanism of side cutters is based on the principle of a lever. The action is based on a spring, it activates the return mechanism, that is, it returns the handles to their original state, which significantly reduces the effort during biting off hard material.

The master chooses the strength of the cut independently. To do this, it is enough to move the wire to the desired distance in relation to the hinge mechanism.

In the case when you need to bite on thin material, you can use only the tips of the sponges. When working with a thick wire, the place for biting off is placed closer to the hinge, then the handles are squeezed.

Please note, do not allow the cutting parts to diverge, this may lead to breakage of the blades. All side cutters are equipped with insulated handles. They are electrically safe and easy to use, do not slip.

Varieties

When purchasing a tool, it is necessary to take into account the fact that all wire cutters differ from each other in structure, size, shape. To understand the types of tools, consider the following types of side cutters:

Standard ones are used for cutting wires with a cross section not exceeding two and a half millimeters. They are popular among ordinary consumers.

Professionals prefer reinforced side cutters, which are made according to the principle of increased strength, using alloy steel. They are widely used for plumbing, construction or installation work.

The high-voltage type is designed for work under electrical voltage up to a thousand volts. They are equipped with a heat-treated surface and insulated handles.

The next type is mini side cutters. A distinctive feature is the presence of long narrow jaws, which are used for thin wire.

Indispensable for the installation of computer networks, network equipment, for domestic work in hard-to-reach places. Very versatile and compact.

You can also highlight:

Insulating. These are universal side cutters, the models have insulated handles.
Insulating. They are designed to perform tasks with current, completely made of safe material.

They have standard differences in size: 150; 160; 180 millimeters long. A thick wire is cut with a tool having a length of 180 mm.

Purpose of the tool

The main scope of application is household needs, necessary in construction or when performing repair work. In electrical networks, they are used for cable installation, aluminum and copper wires, which have a voltage of up to a thousand volts.

Locksmiths are used in working with metal or plastics to cut products. There are manicure mini side cutters and reinforced ones that will bite through steel reinforcement.

Dialectical tool performs work with electronics. Micro side cutters for electronics and precision work are distinguished by the presence of a triangular shape of the working parts at an angle of 40 °.

In order to determine which side cutter is better to choose, you need to decide what work tasks it should perform. Look at the photo of the side cutters in advance, this will help you navigate the choice.

Further, the main selection criterion is, of course, the quality of the material from which the tool is made. So for the manufacture using high-carbon, tool steel. It is important that there are no nicks or other damage on the blade.

The handle itself must be made of high quality, safe material that can withstand shock up to 1000V. It must also be ergonomically designed to fit the hand of the installer.

And, of course, pay attention to the manufacturers of side cutters, not only the price of the tool depends on this, but also the service life of the product itself. Give preference to reputable manufacturers who have a rating in the sales market.

Photo of modern side cutters

The main purpose of side cutters is to cut hard materials by squeezing with the blade. The only difference between side cutters and regular wire cutters is that the blade is on the same plane as the handles. Side cutters are used for cutting wires or wires.

Also, while working with plastic, metal, you can make cuts. It is especially convenient if you need to make a cut, and ordinary construction scissors cannot handle it.

Side cutter design

A special lock connects the working parts, which is additionally used to strengthen the structure. The spring, which is located between the handles, fixes the position of the handles and, after finishing work, returns them to their original position. This happens at lightning speed, after you release the handle while cutting wires or wire.

The swivel joint allows the use of a minimum of effort when working with hard materials. In the manufacture of side cutters, high-quality metal is used. When creating side cutters, manufacturers take into account that they must be not only durable, but also easy to use.

Therefore, the handle has an ergonomic shape, the material of which does not make the palm sweat during prolonged use, and with frequent use, it takes the shape of the owner's hand. Also, due to the presence of an insulating winding, the handle will seem even softer.

What parameters should you pay attention to when buying side cutters?

First of all, you need to pay attention to the quality of the material from which the side cutters are made. It is necessary to pay attention to whether there are any notches or damage on the side cutter blade.

You should also pay attention to the tightness of the cutting edges. You can check this if you take the side cutters in your hands and just squeeze them. If the cutting edges converge, then in this regard it is no longer worth worrying about.

There are two types of side cutters: single-hinged and double-hinged. If you plan to work with a large amount of material, it is recommended to purchase double-hinged ones. Due to the equipment of the leaf spring, the side cutters immediately return to their original position. Also, when working with double-hinged, you will apply less force when cutting than with single-hinged.

If you plan to use side cutters when working with electronics, then you should make sure that they are dielectric. Also, before buying, you should know “For what purposes and under what conditions will side cutters be used?”. In this case, you will be able to independently choose the size of side cutters, its technical parameters and price.

Again, insulating side cutters are capable of withstanding impacts up to 1000V. And of course, pay attention to the manufacturer. Not only the price, but also the service life of the side cutters will depend on the quality and the manufacturer. Before you buy side cutters, do not be lazy and look for information on the Internet about the most popular manufacturers.

Types of side cutters

As mentioned above, there are two types of side cutters: single-hinged and double-hinged. Also, side cutters are insulating and insulating.

Insulating are made entirely of insulating materials, and the main purpose of the application is to work with current. Insulating side cutters are universal in use, and only the handle is insulated.

Side cutters are made resistant to getting into a humid environment, durable. As manufacturers of side cutters say, before sending a batch for sale, each unit is tested for strength.

Rules for using nippers

The most erroneous opinion of many is that side cutters are a simple tool and anyone can use it. Like any tool, side cutters require reading the instructions from the manufacturer.

Most breakdowns occur due to improper use of side cutters. For example, you can cut at the wrong angle, which can cause the blade to become unusable.

The moment of incision should be monitored. If at the time of the incision the cutting parts begin to diverge, then work should be stopped immediately, since the edges of the blades can be broken.

If the blade of the side cutters is dull, which very often happens with constant work with side cutters, then the blade should be sharpened by special craftsmen.

The basic rules of operation so that the side cutters serve you for a long time and with high quality:

Work should be carried out so that the ambient temperature is from -15 degrees to +60.
It is forbidden to cut hard materials in the direction where the person is standing.
Before working with electronics, it is worth making sure that there is an insulating material.
The purchase of side cutters is an important matter for any builder and installer. After all, it will depend on the correct choice

"How much effort do you spend at work?". It is much better to hug your family after graduation than to lift a spoon with weight due to hard labor with side cutters. The choice is yours.