Large wire cutters

[Paradox]

Does anyone know of a company that makes wire cutters for larger gauge copper? My regular ones seem to struggle with sizes larger than 8.

We unwired my friend's JWP that we bent 2 years ago and used no 6 wire I think and it was rough cutting it off

 

[Maiden69]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-8-in-Bolt-Cutters/50069713

If you want to make it where you can cut the wire close to the trunk, you can use a grinder with a sand paper flap wheel and without over heating the metal shape the edge of the cutter to a "rounder" profile.

I know that Masakuni makes large cutters, but they are advertised to be used only to 8ga. No7, No88, and No207

WIRE CUTTER

 

[Srt8madness]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-8-in-Bolt-Cutters/50069713

$15! That's so cheap. Nice find

 

[Paradox]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-8-in-Bolt-Cutters/50069713

If you want to make it where you can cut the wire close to the trunk, you can use a grinder with a sand paper flap wheel and without over heating the metal shape the edge of the cutter to a "rounder" profile.

I know that Masakuni makes large cutters, but they are advertised to be used only to 8ga. No7, No88, and No207

WIRE CUTTER

Yea I though of similar but try getting that in among branches to cut wire off the tree.
Probably going to be difficult to do

 

[Maiden69]

$15! That's so cheap. Nice find

I've been using them since 2017 to cut stainless welding rods, up to 1/8", they cut through copper like hot knife through butter.

 

[Maiden69]

Yea I though of similar but try getting that in among branches to cut wire off the tree.
Probably going to be difficult to do

If a branch is big enough to use #6, there should be some space to maneuver. This are compound joint, so they don't require you to open them a lot. Another option could be some smaller compound wire cutters, but I don't know if they will be strong enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Apex-Tool-Group-PS5429C-Diagonal/dp/B000TDDP6E/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.1f0fc878-fc7f-4b03-b155-1adf15a0867f%3Aamzn1.sym.1f0fc878-fc7f-4b03-b155-1adf15a0867f&cv_ct_cx=heavy+duty+wire+cutters&keywords=heavy+duty+wire+cutters&pd_rd_i=B000TDDP6E&pd_rd_r=d78bcaff-dc71-4da4-9e3f-2b7d58eb2c9e&pd_rd_w=kw4KZ&pd_rd_wg=2TGnK&pf_rd_p=1f0fc878-fc7f-4b03-b155-1adf15a0867f&pf_rd_r=M50J0CZM8Y0ZSG4RAV6F&qid=1697546337&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-3-364cf978-ce2a-480a-9bb0-bdb96faa0f61-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-910-Cable-Cutter-Compound/dp/B01K4NKRW8/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1XQVQJYI5JT9P&keywords=heavy%2Bduty%2Bcompound%2Bwire%2Bcutters&qid=1697546485&sprefix=heavy%2Bduty%2Bcompound%2Bwire%2Bcutters%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-9&th=1

 

[Scorpius]

Knipex makes a nice small bolt cutter that would work great on larger gauge wire. Amazon has them.

 

[roberthu]

I listened to Ryan and bought a Knipex. Never looked back...

 

[Maiden69]

I listened to Ryan and bought a Knipex. Never looked back...

Knipex are great, but too expensive for what you are going to use them for bonsai work. I can justify spending money on a good set of shears or cutters, unless you are very proficient at sharpening them, but not for blunt edge "bolt cutters" (they are actually mini bolt cutters).

PSA, the Kobalt edge can be sharpened with diamond files to make them cut copper so much easier. They are hardened, so don't go too crazy on them.

 

[flor1]

Knipex are reasonably priced thr Amazon and work well.
Knipex cut wire with minimal effort Kobalt not so much

 

[Paradox]

Knipex are reasonably priced thr Amazon and work well.
Knipex cut wire with minimal effort Kobalt not so much

Thanks, those might be narrow enough to get in around branches. They might be a tad more expensive but worth it if they make cutting the wire easier than the regular bonsai wire cutters I spent more money on...lol

We used the no 6 wire to bend the trunk. The regular wire cutters had a hard time cutting the wire without hurting my hand to put enough pressure to cut. Imo they are not adequate for that size wire and I was afraid of breaking them.

Before you laugh at that last statement, I have broken branch cutters cutting too large a branch

 

[Maiden69]

Knipex cut wire with minimal effort Kobalt not so much

Do you have proof of that? Because the cutters I posted above, which I have used at least once a week for the last 5 years cut ER309 and ER308 1/8" SS with no effort at all. 309 is 2 to 3 times harder than copper. I had Knipex when working as a low power cable installer, I would buy Knipex Electronic cutters and Super Knips above else... but when it comes to this cable cutters, the difference in performance is nil.

 

[roberthu]

Knipex are great, but too expensive for what you are going to use them for bonsai work. I can justify spending money on a good set of shears or cutters, unless you are very proficient at sharpening them, but not for blunt edge "bolt cutters" (they are actually mini bolt cutters).

PSA, the Kobalt edge can be sharpened with diamond files to make them cut copper so much easier. They are hardened, so don't go too crazy on them.

I'd agree with you. But with my conifer heavy collection and steel wires for tie down, I bit the bullet and got that fancy tool and it's been worth it.

 

[MHBonsai]

x2 on knipex

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C8L9YMX?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

These are small, fit well in the hand and cut everything I need.

 

[Scorpius]

There's also the same one with a comfort grip and a spring to open it back up for you if you need this kind of thing.

 

[Maiden69]

But with my conifer heavy collection and steel wires for tie down

Nothing wrong with wanting a fancy tool. I have a few Japanese kitchen knives that my wife calls over priced crap because I tell her not to use them on frozen food, bones, or anything hard.

I have the same wire Ryan uses for tying down bigger trees, on the smaller ones I do use aluminum. And my guy (or guide) wire is stainless safety wire, .040" and .051" which I DON'T cut with my wire cutters, I use the Kobalt or my electrician pliers. Like I said, Knipex are great, worth every penny, but in this case, they are really not necessary. Same as my kitchen knives, they are awesome, look great, but not necessary if you know how to sharpen a kitchen knife properly.

 

[Maiden69]

To add... if you are into fancy tools, Vampire tools are made in Japan. I had (got stolen) one of their vampliers. I used them to take broken screws out of phenolic when the heads were stripped.

VAMPLIERS® 7″ BOSS Screw Extraction & Wire Cutting Pliers: VT-001-7 - Vampire Tools

VAMPLIERS® 7" BOSS Screw Extraction & Wire Cutting Pliers : VT-001-7 VAMPLIERS® Technology utilizes a patented design with vertical and horizontal serrations that leads down the inside of the jaws to the tip of the pliers that generate a "teeth-like" gripping power with no slippage whether using...

www.vampiretools.com

I can't wait for Ryan to find this ones and advertised for guy wire twisting because of the vertical serrations and indent on the tip.


On a more serious note, their new wire rope cutters look legit...

vSHEARS – 7″ Wire Rope and Cable Cutter: VT-3835 - Vampire Tools

vSHEARS - 7" Wire and Cable Cutter: VT-3835 Full Length: 7" (180mm) Cutting Capacity: Up to 3/16" (5mm / 6AWG) Steel Wire Rope Up to 1/4" (6mm) Aluminum Cable Up to 1/4" (6mm) Soft Wire Rope Compact & Lightweight Design: 8.21oz (233g) Application: Cutting medium to hard wire rope and cables Not...

www.vampiretools.com

 

[David P]

I've been using them since 2017 to cut stainless welding rods, up to 1/8", they cut through copper like hot knife through butter.

Are you a Welder, I work John Tillman Co.we manufacture welding gloves.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Lots of Tool Talk!

Someone here recommended Knipex. Got these for a present. Stiff despite multiple oiling, but work ok for really big wire. They are kind of pricey and somewhat awkward, especially in smaller spaces taking off wire. Since I have to take alot of big wire down these are my last resort nowadays.

For most big tasks, including some #6 copper I use the Klein wire cutters below, (recommended by a BNutter in past posts)
I rounded the tips a bit on a grinder to not accidentally cut in branches. They work really well

Klein Tools D2000-28 Pliers, Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Angled Head are Heavy-Duty to Cut ACSR, Screws, Nails, Most Hardened Wire, 8-Inch​

My side by side tests over two years reveals the Klein are the best overall, but the Knipex have more leverage for the largest jobs. Likely why BM recommends these as they work in the world of big trees.

I recommend folks just buy what they want, tastes vary.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[shimbrypaku]

Klein Tools 8 in. Diagonal Cutting Pliers D228-8-SEN - The Home Depot

These Diagonal-Cutting Pliers have a high-leverage design to provide 36-Percent greater cutting power than other pliers. The hot-riveted joint ensures smooth action with no handle wobble. Klein Tools specializes in making some of the world's finest pliers.

www.homedepot.com

Same here, they work great.