Cutting 70mm cable......bolt croppers vs junior hacksaw?

[jenevers]

 

Any other methods?

Edited February 23, 2016 by DHutch

[RLWP]

Tree loppers: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Telescopic-Extentable-Handle-Garden-Tree-Branch-Bypass-Lopper-Pruner-Cutter-UK-/201463271400

 

I usually use my bench shears

 

A hacksaw leaves a very tatty end

 

Richard

[Alan de Enfield]

Put a jubilee clip around the cable where you want to cut it, run hacksaw down the side of jubilee clip, cut, remove clip - 'Tidy Job' !!!

[John V]

These are the "proper" cutters for the job but a bit pricey unless you are using them professionally

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/541-6898/

[nicknorman]

Yup wrapping something round is the way. I haven't tried a jubilee clip but that sounds a good idea. But some tape or heatshrink seems to work pretty well too. I then used a hacksaw and was still able to get the strands into the crimp easily.

[jenevers]

These are the "proper" cutters for the job but a bit pricey unless you are using them professionally

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/541-6898/

Cor! Want!

I'll try croppers once then jubilee/saw if croppers no good.

Edited February 23, 2016 by jenevers

[ChimneyChain]

Angle grinder with a 1mm disc

If you've got one

Darren

[mickp]

I renewed my 70mm cable just before xmas and used a junior havksaw .cuts great as long as your cutting thru insulation as well.it wont trim back the copper on its own very well

[nicknorman]

Cor! Want!

I'll try croppers once then jubilee/saw if croppers no good.

Ordinary croppers tend to crush and splay the cable, I wouldn't try them it will just make a mess. Of course the ones linked-to are the bees knees but overkill for an amateur. I'd strongly recommend the tape/jubilee clip and hacksaw method.

[WotEver]

I prefer loppers but have achieved an acceptable end with a junior hacksaw with a fine blade when I forgot them one time.

[RLWP]

Ordinary croppers tend to crush and splay the cable, I wouldn't try them it will just make a mess.

 

I use this method all the time and it works well

 

Each to their own

 

Are we talking about the same kind of cable? Many, many fine strands

 

Richard

[WotEver]

 

I use this method all the time and it works well

Ditto but it must be the curved bypass type, not straight bladed and definitely not anvil.

 

Tony

[RLWP]

Ditto but it must be the curved bypass type, not straight bladed and definitely not anvil.

 

Tony

 

Agreed - like most cheap tree loppers

 

Richard

[John V]

There is another type of wire cutter that I used to use, we called them parrot beaks (not the parrot beaks used for

steel wire) they had a double curve to the blade and were good for fairly big cable but I don't think I ever used them for much over 35mm or poss 50mm (to be honest can't remember, when it was big I always used the ratchets) If I can find them on the net I will check

 

found them in RS as well

 

Edited February 23, 2016 by John V

[nicknorman]

 

Agreed - like most cheap tree loppers

 

Richard

Yes that is the point, if the are bolt cropper types they are normally like scissors or at least have straight blades that come together at an angle, and just push the cable away, spread and flatten it. If they are curved and entrap the cable, that should be fine.

[WotEver]

There is another type of wire cutter that I used to use, we called them parrot beaks (not the parrot beaks used for

steel wire) they had a double curve to the blade and were good for fairly big cable but I don't think I ever used them for much over 35mm or poss 50mm (to be honest can't remember, when it was big I always used the ratchets) If I can find them on the net I will check

I know the type. Again, bypass blades.

 

Tony

[Paul C]

I used tin shears and got a reasonably neat cut. I wonder if an angle grinder with a thin disc (or perhaps even a Dremel) would do a neater cut still, but you'd probably need mains power. Since I was wiring my inverter in at the time, I didn't have it.

[DHutch]

Btw title should say Croppers not rappers!

Predictive text!

Title edited.

[jenevers]

For the record, my bolt croppers worked a treat. Good clean even and square cut.

[DHutch]

I prefer loppers...

As in garden loppers? I expect they are actually quite good for the job!

 

Daniel

[RLWP]

As in garden loppers? I expect they are actually quite good for the job!

 

Daniel

 

Yes

 

Richard

[raymondh]

I used a Hep2o plastic pipe cutter for all my 95mm cables cut easily and clean, would say any garden secateurs would also work well

 

Ray

Edited February 23, 2016 by raymondh

[WotEver]

It's the same principle as the loppers - curve to hold the cable and a bypass cutting action.

[raymondh]

Works fer me

 

Ray

[Paringa]

Put a jubilee clip around the cable where you want to cut it, run hacksaw down the side of jubilee clip, cut, remove clip - 'Tidy Job' !!!

Oh I like that idea as I don't have any loppers...sadly poor timing as I have just finished my installation...