Cutting a wire or a nail with a pair of diagonal cutters can send the waste flying through the air like a small missile. This little metal rocket can injure an eye or get lost in delicate electronic circuitry. You can prevent the problem by filling the cavity of the cutters with silicone caulk. Here’s the way.
Begin by cleaning the cutter’s jaws to remove any oil or grease. Now hold the jaws shut with a rubber band, and fill the cavity with the caulk. Let it cure overnight, and then use a sharp knife to make a slice through the caulk that is in line with the tool’s cutting edges. This procedure creates a pair of silicone pads next to the cutters that will hang on to the offcut.
William T. Brown, Fairfax, SC
