Wire cutting with pliers

[BarBender]

I have done further experimentation with wire cutting since my previous post on the subject. Pliers in this post refer to the typical 6-inch slip-joint variety.

For safety I mention here that one should seriously consider using a bucket and eye protection when cutting wire. Keeping children and pets at a safe distance is also a good idea.

I recently purchased a cheap pliers to add to my small collection of pliers. Cutting various sized wire with these new pliers proved challenging. Even though the total length of the pliers are six inches the distance from the handle ends to the pivot is four-and-one-quarter inches. Other pliers of higher quality have a length of four-and-five-eights inches from handle ends to pivot.

Here are some training ideas to do with pliers in addition to wire cutting.

Crush bent nails and other scrolled nails. The squeeze is hardest nearest the bend in the nail.

Slip the joint and over crush a 60-penny nail in the cutter. The handle ends should be less than an inch apart. The handles should flex but not break unless you are capable of closing a high end #3 or better.