[Elecraft] Hand Tools: Flush-trim Cutters

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Bob (K7RRW) wrote:
>Shopping for new cutters for building my Elecraft kit options...  want a
>good flush-trimming cutter(diagonals) that will last....  any suggestions
>from your experience?  Where to shop for good ones?  Need something that
>leaves a low straight wire stub on the PC board.

Consider Xcelite 170M and the Hakko/CHP P-CHP-170. Very similar models. 
Nice clean flush-cut, and pretty rugged. The metal from which these cutters 
are stamped, is slightly thiker than that of some of their competitors, 
thus making them suitable for cutting copper wires up to #16 gauge.

Best pricing I've found for the Hakko P-CHP-170 is $3 ("special web 
price"), at:

   http://epeerless.safeshopper.com/52/234.htm?409

though others may offer them at similar pricing as well. Commonly found 
retail pricing is $5-$6 (US).

The Xcelite 170M is available from many sources at around $5-$6 (US):

   http://www.elexp.com/tol_ms01.htm

   http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/display.cgi?pid=1986-0058&sku=1986-0058&image=1986-0058

   http://www.hosfelt.com/en-us/dept_94.html

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS