I’ve go a project where I’m cutting lengths of 1/8″steel cable an crimpingthem in ferulles.
My problem is cutting them. I got a set of 24″ bolt cutters, but that just seems to fray the ends as thy are crushed, rather than cut. What is the secret to a clean cut?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I don’t feel it’s healthy to keep your faults bottled up inside me.
Replies
Cable cutter. Scissor action, with hook-shaped jaws.
Check Harbor freight if this is going to be a one time thing and there is not a lot to cut. The yellow bolt cutter one has two other cutting areas aft of the pivot.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItemList.do?search.keyword=cable+cutter
Otherwise look below.
Take a look at these:
http://www.kleintools.com/
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Edited 10/8/2008 12:57 pm ET by rasconc
Edited 10/8/2008 1:00 pm ET by rasconc
Edited 10/8/2008 1:14 pm ET by rasconc
Thanks to everyone who replied.
HF had exactly what I wanted. I even stopped by Lowes first as I had a discount coupon... no joy there.
I was thinking abbout the angle grinder too. The only thing I would worry about is the potential for a loose bit of cable to bind in the hub and start winding at 10,000 RPM!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
I don't feel it's healthy to keep your faults bottled up inside me.
Out of curiosity which HF one did you get? And did you go there after or before reading my post.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
small, thin cut off wheel in an angle grinder. Wrapping with tape sometimes helps.
How long before the MM crowd shows up? :-)
I agree that an angle grinder with a metal cut-off wheel will work. Make sure you wear glasses at a minimum(but a face shield would be better). The cable will shoot little needles out as you cut.
And if all else fails (or you don't have anything else) use a pair of sharp dikes and cut one strand at a time -- will be much cleaner than the bolt cutter.
Second vote for the angle grinder.
A cutoff wheel is quick and easy.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
While the cut may be easy, digging out my eye and ear protection repeatedly is a PITA.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
I don't feel it's healthy to keep your faults bottled up inside me.
I hate to admit to having such a tool, but on sale for $30 was a bare 18v dewalt angle grinder. I keep a cutoff wheel in it for just such things (in addition to cutting nails, sharpening pry bars, sharpening carbide drill bits with diamond blade, cutting misc things that are normally hard to cut but too small to get a 15 amp grinder and large cutoff wheel.)
Anyway, I was going to say that since it's cordless it doesn't wind up as fast and is much quieter. Feathering the trigger it's possible to cut small things slowly.
For cutting screws to length nothing works better. :-)
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
you need to run it so the cutting part of the wheel is runing away from you. I've got lot's of hours driving angle grinders w/cutoff wheels working aircraft structures and never got things in my eyes.
Same here...tape and cutoff wheel.
It's alot less hassle than you think, and it'll make you wonder why you ever used another method.
I have had good success cutting small cable with a sharp cold chisel. Touch
up, if neccessary with a grinder. Oh yeah, cut on a chunk of steel, like a sledge
sideways.
larry b
I was going to mention that as well, but the grinder is by far my favorite. I am amazed at how a sharp cold chisel can cleanly cut 5/16" cable with one good hit with a 2lb hammer. It makes me uneasy locking anything up with a cable and lock.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Just 1/8"?
Have an old CCC axe/hatchet for that, end grain chopping block, one hit and clean cut, no strays.
Anything bigger use the chop saw. I going to splice the cable, use a welder and cut one strand bundle at a time.
See that set of oxy/acet bottles? Seals the cable too. Of course I started making furniture ala Norm, took a few decades for another interest, got into remodel and after experiencing a few up/down cycles I went to a Community College where I took welding. Die grider is good but not as flashy. Heh,heh Tyr
Edited 10/8/2008 9:00 pm by Tyr
Edited 10/8/2008 9:01 pm by Tyr
Obviously, shaped charges are the only way to go!!
Corporation: n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. --Ambrose Bierce
Tape. Bolt cutters. The tape is the trick.
I've had good results with taping it real tight (electrician's tape stretched tight works great) and a fine tooth hacksaw. Secure the cable in a vise near where it's taped, pull it taut, a few swipes with the hacksaw and you get a clean cut.
1KW C02 laser.
Or a little cutoff wheel in a dremel tool.
I still say shaped charges!
Corporation: n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. --Ambrose Bierce
OOH, I like that idea.
Menards has a knock off of the swiss Felco cutter thats not half
bad for the $6 or so it costs, esp. if you only use it once in a while.
Use Vice Grips. That's what the small cutter is for.