Looking for reasonably priced pliers/cutters

[Charles L]

I am looking for some reasonably priced pliers and diagonal cutters that are
NOT made in China. Anyone got any brands and suppliers they can suggest?

Charles L

 

[Trevor Wilson]

I am looking for some reasonably priced pliers and diagonal cutters that
are
NOT made in China. Anyone got any brands and suppliers they can suggest?

**If you can find them (and I seriously doubt you can) the 'Diamalloy S54R'
is a brilliant pair of side cutters. They were manufactured by the Diamond
Tool and Horseshoe Company in the US. They're tough as nails (and can cut
nails as well). They hold their edge and are simply very, very well made
cutters. Most importantly: Apprentices can't break or hurt them (unlike
those nice, but fragile Swedish things). The bad news is that Cooper Tools
bought out the company and promptly ceased production. Cooper cutters aren't
worth spitting on.

Anyway, if you find some Diamalloy cutters, let me know. I want to replace
mine. In the meantime, I use some cheapy cutters from WES, labelled
'Engineer' and made in Japan. They're OK, but can't cut steel without
nicking the blades.

Having said all that, congrats on starting an excellent thread. I look
forward to reading the opinions of others. A nice pair of cutters (and, to a
lesser degree, pliers) is utterly essential.

 

[Chas]

**If you can find them (and I seriously doubt you can) the 'Diamalloy S54R'
is a brilliant pair of side cutters. They were manufactured by the Diamond
Tool and Horseshoe Company in the US. They're tough as nails (and can cut
nails as well). They hold their edge and are simply very, very well made
cutters. Most importantly: Apprentices can't break or hurt them (unlike
those nice, but fragile Swedish things).

If you mean "Berg" brand as the fragile Swedish things, I would have to
seriously disagree. I still have and use a pair of 6 inch Berg sidecutters
labelled "for Piano wire" which I bought as an apprenticed Motor Mechanic
some fifty years ago. They have had a hard life and are still in good
condition. They will certainly outlast me.

 

[swanny]

If you mean "Berg" brand as the fragile Swedish things, I would have to
seriously disagree. I still have and use a pair of 6 inch Berg sidecutters
labelled "for Piano wire" which I bought as an apprenticed Motor Mechanic
some fifty years ago. They have had a hard life and are still in good
condition. They will certainly outlast me.

I think he might mean Lindstrom. I've had a couple of tiny Lindstrom
cutters that the ends have just fallen off. However, I also have a pair
of 6" Lindstrom cutters that have taken a beating over the past 20 years
and still going strong. I also still have my first pair of sidecutters
from over 30 years ago, still going stong. These are piono wire cutters
made by Maun Industries England.

 

[Mike Harding]

I am looking for some reasonably priced pliers and diagonal cutters that are
NOT made in China. Anyone got any brands and suppliers they can suggest?

Lindstrom. I've had and used many of their cutters and pliers
(small ones) over the years and have found them to be
excellent. But they are not cheap.

Mike Harding

 

[Trevor Wilson]

If you mean "Berg" brand as the fragile Swedish things, I would have to
seriously disagree. I still have and use a pair of 6 inch Berg
sidecutters
labelled "for Piano wire" which I bought as an apprenticed Motor Mechanic
some fifty years ago. They have had a hard life and are still in good
condition. They will certainly outlast me.

**No, Lindstroms. Over-priced and fragile. The Diamalloys beat the pants off
them. BTW: Any pair of 6" side cutters, labelled for piano wire, should last
a long time. They're also a PITA for serious electronics work. The cutters
most electronics techs use are of the 3" or 4" variety.

 

[kd]

Anyway, if you find some Diamalloy cutters, let me know. I want to replace
mine. In the meantime, I use some cheapy cutters from WES, labelled

May I ask if these Diamalloy are as good as you say, why would you "replace"
them? Were they stolen?

What's the going price for a quality pair of cutters these days anyway?

Kevin

 

[Trevor Wilson]

May I ask if these Diamalloy are as good as you say, why would you
"replace" them? Were they stolen?

**I still have them. Although I shapened them, they're not as good as a new
pair. They're 15 years old. Nothing (not even Diamalloy cutters) last
forever. My last replacement pair (purchased about 6 years ago) is in the
ceiling of a record store (I think) in the city. GRRRRRR. Bloody
apprentices.

What's the going price for a quality pair of cutters these days anyway?

**The Diamalloys were around 60 Bucks. The Swedish stuff goes for MUCH more.
Around $150.00 for the decent ones.

 

[Ross Herbert]

**If you can find them (and I seriously doubt you can) the 'Diamalloy S54R'
is a brilliant pair of side cutters. They were manufactured by the Diamond
Tool and Horseshoe Company in the US. They're tough as nails (and can cut
nails as well). They hold their edge and are simply very, very well made
cutters.

WHen I was responsible for ordering tools for tech staff in the mid
70's I ordered Diamalloy cutters and I fully agree with your comments.
The price even then was very high (around AUD60/pr tax exempt) but so
were other equivalent swiss, german or other euro manf tools.

Most importantly: Apprentices can't break or hurt them (unlike
those nice, but fragile Swedish things). The bad news is that Cooper Tools
bought out the company and promptly ceased production. Cooper cutters aren't
worth spitting on.

Anyway, if you find some Diamalloy cutters, let me know. I want to replace
mine. In the meantime, I use some cheapy cutters from WES, labelled
'Engineer' and made in Japan. They're OK, but can't cut steel without
nicking the blades.

Can't help with the Diamalloy cutters but you might like to have a
look at the stuff available from Seltronics such as Erem, Bahco and
Lindstrom (expensive). They supposedly have Knipex as well but there
is no product listing on the site. Here is some Knipex info
http://www.angloamericantools.com/ep13.htm and they have various
hardness ratings.

 

[Ross Herbert]

WHen I was responsible for ordering tools for tech staff in the mid
70's I ordered Diamalloy cutters and I fully agree with your comments.
The price even then was very high (around AUD60/pr tax exempt) but so
were other equivalent swiss, german or other euro manf tools.


Can't help with the Diamalloy cutters but you might like to have a
look at the stuff available from Seltronics such as Erem, Bahco and
Lindstrom (expensive). They supposedly have Knipex as well but there
is no product listing on the site. Here is some Knipex info
http://www.angloamericantools.com/ep13.htm and they have various
hardness ratings.

While the Super Knips might be economical and do the job The Knipex
website has better details on their electronics cutters page. Some of
the models claim to be piano wire capable.

See http://www.knipex.de/language/en/header_front.php

 

[John Crighton]

I am looking for some reasonably priced pliers and diagonal cutters that are
NOT made in China. Anyone got any brands and suppliers they can suggest?

Charles L

A couple of decades ago I needed some new delicate flush
cutters and by chance I saw the "Snap On Tools" big van
parked at the side of the road with the driver in it.
Cost me $30 for a used demo. They were good cutters.
In a work place I caught some bugger undoing 6BA nuts
with those cutters. Luckily the tips survived OK, only to be
stolen later.

If you ring "snap on" you can find out when the van
will be at some work site near you. Definitely worth a look.

Regards,
John Crighton
Sydney

 

[Ross Herbert]

A couple of decades ago I needed some new delicate flush
cutters and by chance I saw the "Snap On Tools" big van
parked at the side of the road with the driver in it.
Cost me $30 for a used demo. They were good cutters.
In a work place I caught some bugger undoing 6BA nuts
with those cutters. Luckily the tips survived OK, only to be
stolen later.

If you ring "snap on" you can find out when the van
will be at some work site near you. Definitely worth a look.

Better still, have a look at their Aus product web page
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=780&store=australia

 

[Alan Rutlidge]

**No, Lindstroms. Over-priced and fragile. The Diamalloys beat the pants off
them. BTW: Any pair of 6" side cutters, labelled for piano wire, should last
a long time. They're also a PITA for serious electronics work. The cutters
most electronics techs use are of the 3" or 4" variety.

A.E. Berg manufactured high quality flush cutting side cutters amongst many
other fine hand tools for the electronics industry. Manufactured in Sweden
from memory, they were extremely well made and were the ant's pants for
printed circuit work and small co-ax connector jobs. Had a pair for 20
years and until some cupid stunt thought their need for them was greater
than mine.

Cheers,
Alan