loops 

Side cutters (nippers) with carbide tips (manufactured in Yoshkar-Ola). An unprofessional look at the advantages and disadvantages of the product. Side cutters - how to choose a quality tool. Types, device and use of the tool How to use side bites

Pliers are an essential part of any craftsman, whether 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 masters, then you need to consider their professional types.

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 official dealers may result in 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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 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.

  1. BAHCO 2713 A made of vanadium steel with chromium-nickel coating and anti-corrosion treatment.
  2. Adjustable pliers USAG(Italy) made of chrome-vanadium special steel with 7 positions and enamel finish.
  3. 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 absolute advantage this variety, but the disadvantage is a certain bulkiness.

  1. Electrically insulated models of the firm Knipex there are combined (ordinary and special power), as well as in the form of elongated pliers.
  2. 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.
  3. 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, which 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.

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

  1. Adjustable pliers - wrench KNIPEX made of chrome vanadium steel, forged, oil-hardened. Quickly rearranged with the push of a button.
  2. Adjustable pliers Bahco with 11-12 positions, switching by 1 button.
  3. 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.

Extendable pliers are larger than simple species. 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.

  1. Side cutters KNIPEX made of vanadium steel, melted in an electric furnace, oil-hardened, precision machined for a long service life.
  2. Side cutters Bahco(high-quality alloy steel with anti-corrosion treatment) with progressive cutting edge geometry.
  3. 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.

  1. long nose pliers KNIPEX.
  2. Products with long jaws Bahco.
  3. 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.

  1. round nose pliers KNIPEX forged chrome vanadium steel, oil-hardened, heavy-duty.
  2. Model with round jaws Bahco made of high quality alloy steel with anti-corrosion treatment.
  3. 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 metalwork and assembly and repair work Oh.

Advantages of the view: 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.

  1. Pliers recycling firms AIST from chrome vanadium steel.
  2. Percussion tools matrix from chrome vanadium steel.
  3. 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.


One of the most common cutting and biting tools are wire cutters, or, as they are also called, side cutters. The principle of operation of the tool is based on the principle of a lever, with the help of which the force applied to the surface of the workpiece is increased, and with the help of cutting edges (sponges), the material is bitten. In this article, we will talk in detail about this tool and also find out what you need to know in order to choose and buy side cutters.

Purpose of the tool

The choice and purchase of a tool largely depends not only on the quality of the tool, but also on its area of ​​use. So, the price of a side cutter may depend on whether it is possible to work with a tool in electrical networks and installations, or it can be used exclusively in plumbing and assembly.

Therefore, today, side cutters are used for cutting wire or wires, special dielectric side cutters are used for cutting cables and live wires. Also, wire cutters can be used for cutting thin, sheet metal or plastic during the installation or dismantling of a particular building object or equipment. By the way, with the help of side cutters, you can cut wires of only a small diameter.



As a rule, good side cutters are suitable for working under electric voltage, up to 1000 V, and the parameters for storing and operating the tool look like this:

- t ambient temperature should not exceed -20°C to +70°C;

- PThe relative humidity should not exceed 80% at an average temperature of 25°C.

There are several varieties of this tool, which are classified according to shape and size. For example, there are power wire cutters that are designed to cut rather thick wires, but they are already called bolt cutters.

Almost all modern side cutters are equipped with special handles made of insulating material. This gives several advantages during operation - firstly, such wire cutters automatically become electrically safe, and secondly, thanks to a convenient and ergonomic handle, working with such a tool becomes much more convenient and comfortable. In addition, such a coating is moisture and oil resistant, as well as strong and non-slip. You can find out about all these parameters by reading the letter and number designations on the handle or side cutter packaging.


Distinguish tool and size. So, there are side cutters 160 mm in length, as well as models of 150 mm and 180 mm. Side cutters with a length of 180 mm are reinforced, and with their help you can bite thicker wires or sheet metal.

Working with side cutters

In order to use side cutters, it is necessary to inspect the tool before using them. The coating of the handles must be free from any defects that could lead to a reduction in mechanical or electrical strength. This is very important, because when working with live wires, the probability of damage electric shock very high.



To cut off wire, cable or sheet metal, all you need to do is clamp the workpiece between the jaws of the tool, and press the handle. The cutting edges of the tool must cut through one or another material, wire, cable, etc. Among other things, side cutters can also be used as a tool for stripping insulation from surfaces. electrical wires. To do this, with the help of an adjusting screw, you need to adjust the cutting edges to the diameter of the wire from which the coating will be removed. If such a screw is not provided for in the design, you need to be guided by your own efforts.

Choosing the best side cutters

Now about what is needed in order to choose and buy side cutters ?! First of all, you need to decide for what purposes the tool will be used. This will determine the type of cutting pliers you choose, their size, and the price of the side cutters. For example, you can choose reinforced dielectric side cutters - with their help it will be possible to bite rather thick cables, or to cut sheet metal up to 2-3 mm thick.





Attention must be paid to the material from which the tool is made. Usually, high-carbon tool steel is used as the main material of side cutters. Tool jaws can be additionally hardened or have titanium inserts for more durable and reliable work. The handle of the tool must be made of high-quality, insulating material that can not pass voltage up to 1000 V. And, of course, when choosing a tool, pay attention to the manufacturer - the price of the tool and its quality depend on this, so the advantage should be given to those companies that engaged in the production of other tools and construction devices.

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 are 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 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 own forces 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

On a tip from the respected DiHalt, I bought such a miracle in local industrial electronics:

They are sold oiled, in the best traditions of Soviet engineering. True, no brand, no information about the plant. I talked with the seller - he says they are selling old stocks, there will be no more. So it's time to shop. The price is about 500 rubles.

Despite their clumsiness and brutality, the cutting edges fit perfectly. You can see traces of yellow solder, which was used to solder the pobedit linings.

What gives the use of a win in side cutters? It greatly increases durability.

The hardness is slightly less than diamond. As a result, sharpening is held for a long time, unlike the “plasticine” Chinese side cutters, which become dull over time. And with sharp side cutters, biting the leads (usually copper, occasionally steel) is easy and pleasant, the effort is minimal. Moreover, I worked quite a lot with these side cutters and so far the sharpness is such that you can easily cut your hair with them. If they do not bite the piano strings, it seems to me that they will last for decades.

In general, if appearance make them prettier, make the handles out of good plastic (I put heat shrink on them) that would be a super tool.

The quality of grinding in comparison with the Chinese:

Verdict: We knew how to do good things, but did this skill survive today?

UPD. As directed by a reader osmos7 am correcting myself. sponges are made of R5M6 steel, not hard right. This becomes clear after polishing and testing for hardness.

Nippers - one of the types cutting tool used in everyday life when performing various repairs. With their help, you can cut various types of materials without disturbing the structure of the element and obtaining good quality cut. Issued different kinds nippers that differ in their purpose. Consider their features and scope.

The purpose of the wire cutters

By their design, wire cutters are a universal tool for cutting metal and plastic products, working on the principle of a lever. They can cut wire electrical wire, power cable, the thickness of which is 5–7 mm.

Wire cutters are used in the installation and dismantling of equipment, are widely in demand for electrical work. What criteria should be followed when choosing this type of cutting tool, taking into account the scope of its application?

Design features

Since this tool is used to cut material, its choice should be made based on the requirements for this function. There are two main elements in the design of the nippers:

  • the handle providing convenience of work with the tool;
  • cutting lumps, which are also called sponges.

The type of wire cutters is determined by such design parameters as the shape of the cutting edges, their location, geometric dimensions.

There are the following types of wire cutters according to the location of the cutting edges and purpose:

  1. End - sponges are located perpendicular to the surface of the handles.
  2. Side cutters, otherwise called side cutters, are characterized by the location of the jaws at a small angle to the handle or on the same plane with it.
  3. Power cutters (bolt cutters) - used to work with metal bars.

As a rule, to ensure electrical safety, the handles of this tool are made using insulating material. Wire cutters for electro installation work have high-quality insulation to protect hands from electric shock. According to the design of the handle, there are two types of electrical wire cutters: insulating and insulated.

The difference between these types of handles is that the coating of insulated cutters is made of a dielectric, and for insulating-type products it is additionally equipped with cutting inserts. According to their design, the handles are lever guides, their surface does not wrinkle and does not slip under the hand, it is resistant to moisture, technical oils and substances with high chemical activity.

Types of wire cutters

According to the type of design of the working parts of the tool, there are 3 types of wire cutters: end cutters, side cutters and bolt cutters. All types of cutters presented can be bought in the GSM kit online store. You can choose the kuachki themselves on the page http://gsm-komplekt.com/category/kusachki-bokorezy-/.

end

Used during installation work, in construction, when laying electrical networks. For the manufacture of the working element, reinforced steel with a chrome-plated surface is used. The cutting edges of this type of nippers have high strength and are sharpened in a special way, which makes it possible to ensure high-quality performance of the work for which they are intended. Tool handles made of dielectric are resistant to high operating voltages.

The working element is at an angle with respect to the tool head. The efficiency of the most powerful cutters of this type is provided by additional amplification and hardening with high-frequency currents. Issued various models products that can cut wire made of different metals and having different thicknesses - from aluminum to steel.

Diagonal cutters designed for cutting steel wires with a thickness of 1.2 mm, made of mild steel - no more than 2.0 mm and copper, the diameter of which does not exceed 2.6 mm, have heads located at an angle to the surface of the handle. The hinge on the axis, which ensures the mobility of the working parts of the tool, is highly resistant to constant monotonous loads.

For the manufacture of professional side cutters, tool steel is used, which undergoes heat treatment and multi-stage hardening. The handles of this type of nippers are comfortable to grip and are able to withstand an impact force of up to 75 kg.

Nippers special

One of the varieties of this type of cutting tool are bolt cutters. They are designed for cutting bars, the thickness of which does not exceed 12 mm. Representing a double lever in their design and equipped with long handles, they first apply the applied force to the intermediate link that increases its value, and then to the cutting surface.

Another type of special pliers are products used for cutting small electronic parts. They have a mirror surface, evenly open, equipped with a device that removes static electricity. After watching the video presented to your attention, you can get acquainted with the information about the power cutters used to work with reinforcement.

Types of nippers by area of ​​application

By area of ​​application, the following types of wire cutters can be distinguished:

  • pincers and reinforcing cutters for working with wire and fittings;
  • electrical, designed for cable cutting;
  • professional, used to perform cosmetic procedures.

The first type of cutting pliers is used when working with non-hardened wire up to 4 mm thick. For their manufacture, T8 steel is used, the hardness of which is 42 HRC. The handles of the handles, reaching a length of 210 mm, are made of PVC, have hardened pads, which are coated with powder paint.

Electrical wire cutters are used for cutting insulated aluminum and copper cables with a working diameter of up to 35 mm. For the cutting edge, knives made of alloy steel that have undergone heat treatment are used. Knives are made by forging steel with a hammer falling from a height.

The strength of the cutting edges ensures that the cable is cut without significant deformation of the cut and the wires located inside. Products are equipped with handles made of fiberglass and rubber.

Professional nippers are a tool used when performing beauty treatments such as manicures and pedicures. They have small size and are designed to remove reek. For the production of professional nippers, durable stainless steel is used for the manufacture of surgical instruments.

The metal undergoes a special heat treatment, due to which its hardness reaches 50 HRC. The cutting edges of the products are sharpened with high quality, this ensures the durability of the tool.