Flush cutter recommendations?

Hi

I have been making my own jump rings with different materials but with my cutters, don't get a flush cut.

Can anyone recommend a pair of cutters to work with wires up to 12 gauge - either Xuron or Nippex? and advise if these give a nice flush cut.

I don't want to go the the expense of a jewelers saw yet.

Many thanks in advance.

 Mark

 For 12 awg and larger, you need a pair of professional cutters, not some cheap imitation. I have had my Exelite flush cutters for better than 25 years and have been using them on a regular basis. Now they cost me about $30.00 or so from MCM Electronics Supply way back when, so I would think that a good pair that will take the abuse that you are going to put them through with that large wire are going to be that or higher these days. I have never even heard of either brand that you mentioned, but if they are made from high quality tool steel, then they will be just as good as any other "name" brands.

 By the way, from what i have seen, a decent pair of cutters will cost the same if not more than a jeweler's saw. You really don't need a jeweler's saw anyway. They make a hacksaw blade handle that the blade sticks straight out of one end so that you can cut freely without the bow of the saw getting in the way. I have one of these too and if I remember correctly, it was only about $10-$15 and came with several blades. Use the finest, and thinnest blades you can find for these a they take out a lot of metal. It does leave a nice flush cut on both sides that match almost perfectly though. ood luck with whatever decision that you come to.

 Billy ;o)

If it is not expensive wire, say copper or aluminum electrical wire, I got a saw like Billy described, at a local 'home supply store' last spring for less tha $10, probably less than $5, but it only came with regular blades, and I don't know if fine blades would fit.

Stan B.

I have these cutters, which will cut up to 12 gauge copper wire.  They are excellent.

http://beadstore.wigjig.com/tools_n_supplies/cutters/flush_cutters-ultra/Page_1/0356.html

Perfect topic as I am also looking for a good flush cutter for making jumping rings.Price indication around 15 USD. If more it is also ok, as long as it is good (listening to "better safe than sorry")

It would be for silver wires.

Will these do the job? ( Xuron) Have you experience with one of these? Your comment would be very helpful.

Oh, I have to order online, living oversea..

http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=380091412077

http://cgi.ebay.com/XURON-SHARP-FLUSH-CUTTER-PLIERS-WIRE-SOFT-FLEX_W0QQitemZ270330957830QQihZ017QQcategoryZ34085QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270320178118

 That is a fairly low end pair as "work" tools go. As long as you leave hard alloys alone and stick to gold, silver, copper, and light brass, you should be fine. The bradded joint looks just like the ones that they sell in the Wal Mart craft department. I see no reson that tehy would not work out just fine as long as you remember that they are light duty. Get yourself a heavier pair if you are going to be cutting thick stuff with them.

 Billy ;o)

Hi Mark,

This is my first time replying to a forum question do bear with me on this.  My friend Julie from Fishlips3 in Vallllley Junction,  West Des Moines, IA told me to use memory wire cutters when Imake my  jump rings.  Julie told me that the memory wire cutters cut flush and you shouldn't have to file the edges for smoothness. I have it on her honor that this method works.  I haven't tried it myself but intend to in the next few days, as I want to make colored jump rings to go with some of my projects. I haven't heard of the two cutters that you mentioned so I don't know if they would work or not.

 Mark, Welcome to BD Forum.

I want to learn to make jump rings "someday". I was thinking I'd try using my Dremel tool?

Don't know if it would work, but just an idea.

Mary,

If you are using something like a jumpringer tool to make your jumprings, you CAN use a cutting wheel on a Dremel.

Any cutting type pliers does not make both sides perfectly flush, simply because you have to have some kind of an angle to make the cut. Using a saw or Dremel's cutting wheel WILL give you jumprings with straight sides on both ends.

Deb

Deb :

Any cutting type pliers does not make both sides perfectly flush, simply because you have to have some kind of an angle to make the cut.

That's right. To avoid this I use the "flushcutting method" like described in the chainmail books by Scott Plumlee. You have your wire coil, make your first cut and then turn the flush cutter around and cut the other end flush. The result is a jump ring with two perfect ends. It takes a bit more time than using a saw or a dremel and the rings are slightly smaller than the diameter of the mandrel one used, but that's ok for me.

 Deb-- good to know... might I ask what kind of wheel works best? I have used the black grinding wheels that wear down with use, and are about 1/16 thick... is that what you're talking about?

Lois