But if they are part of your daily job, then lighter is better. However, the weight of pliers does not matter that much if you don’t use them regulalry. Pliers that are too heavy will cause fatigue and limit your productivity. How heavy or light a pair of pliers is to your hands matters. In other words, you get a greater mechanical advantage when the load is close to the pivot and the effort is further. Being a first class lever, the closer the load is to the fulcrum the lesser the effort needed. The best cutters are forged from hardened steel or alloys of steel.Īlso, the cutting edge on the blades should extend as close to the fulcrum as possible so that you get maximum leverage. No matter how well the pivot is designed if the blades are not sharp and strong, your pair of cutting pliers will not cut as it should. A good pair of dyke or angle cutters should have a solid axle with smooth action and no wobble. As a result, you end up with a very inconsistent quality of cuts. If the pivot is loose and wobbly, the cutting blades do not line up well. In wire cutting pliers, the design of the pivot also determines the quality of cut you get. The pivot in hand tools determines how much effort you will need to get work done. Otherwise, you can consider comfort-grip handles if you use the cutters regularly or non-slip handles if you seldom cut wires and cables. If you work around high voltages (not exceeding 1000V), you may want a wire cutter with insulated handles. Lastly, pliers have three types of grips: non-slip grip, comfort grip, or insulated grip. Ideally, the handles should open at most 5.5 inches wide but you can choose smaller if you do not have a big palm. They should fit in your palm to allow a one-handed operation. Also, make sure the handles are not apart when the jaws are open. If it is too long, it makes the tool bulky. If the handle is too short, you will need to put more effort to cut material. Ensure that the handles are ergonomically designed to eliminate pinching when you squeeze them together.Įnsure the handles are reasonably long from the pivot to provide a great mechanical advantage. When choosing dykes or angle pliers, consider the design of the handles and the type of grip on them. The following are the most important ones: Handle design, size, and type There are several factors to consider when shopping for wire cutters. What to consider when choosing the best diagonal or side cutters Plierssman cutting 6 AWG stranded electrical wire with diagonal cutting pliers They can poke the skin or catch your clothes, and no one want’s that. Sharp wire ends on jewelry can be injurious. This makes dikes more suitable for cutting jewelry because they do not leave sharp ends. Diagonal cutters cut straight through the material leaving a flush-cut while side cutters leave a sharp end. But when you are into precision cutting, it is not easy to mistake one for the other.įor instance, in jewelry making, the difference between diagonal cutting pliers and side cutting pliers is visible. In fact, you will find yourself using one type for all the cutting tasks. ![]() However, most of the time it will be hard to tell the difference between sidees and dikes. For more heavy-duty cutting, such as cutting hardened wire, Romex MC cable, ASCR, nails, and screws, side cutters would be the better option. This makes them more suitable for cutting soft aluminum and copper wires, cable ties, soft tie wire, and plastic parts. ![]() ![]() However, diagonal cutters are usually not heavy-duty. So, if you need to cut wire flat with the surface, then a pair of dykes is the best. ![]() As a result, the inward angle of diagonal cutters allows you to cut materials flush with the surface better than side cutters. The cutting head of diagonal pliers is slightly bent inward relative to the handle line while side cutters have a straight cutting end that is parallel to the handles. However, there is a slight difference in the design of the two types of cutting pliers. In fact, the two terms are usually interchangeable. Best Diagonal cutters / Side cuttershog ring pliers kitsĭiagonal cutters or Dykes are much the same as side cutters.Factors to Consider When Choosing Diagonal Cutters.
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