[Elecraft] RE: Better flush cutters than Xcelite?

[Don Wilhelm]

Dave,

I looked at the picture of your flush cutters and can say ' They should not
look like that!'
Actually it looks to me like something has twisted the tip of the left jaw
rather than having damage from wear - but it could be just the angle of the
photo.  Is there any chance that you cut components leads with a right-hand
(clockwise) 'twist of the wrist' that would cause stress perpendicular to
the jaws as you are cutting.  Flush cutters should be used with only a
squeezing motion with the jaws remaining parallel with the board.

I have used my Xcelite 170M for many many builds, Several Elecraft kits and
others too, and they are still going strong.  I did replace my first set a
couple years ago becuase I wore sufficient slop in the pivot that I just
felt a new set was warranted, the old ones still cut fine too.

BTW, I usually cut with the wire mid-jaw if I can, that way I have more
leverage and my hand does not get as tired. At times though, one must clip
using the very tip of the cutters, so it is important for the tips to cut
too.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 

Here's a photo of them after only using them up to about 3/4's of the RF
board on the K2:

http://home.internetcds.com/~barbados/xcelite.jpg

That is all I've used them on and nothing else.  No kids in the house and
the XYL stays way clear of my space! LOL

Strange that maybe 200-400 cuts would achieve this, yes?

I agree about the scissors action of some cutters.  This deformed cutter
doesn't have any offset scissors action, it's solid.  But the other new one
does have the offset, slicing/hacking action.  I'd need to try a third pair
to identify the Xcelite convention. But don't think I will......

I'll absolutely check-out the Xcelite 170M and the Hakko/CHP 170, if they'd
lasted that long for you, they've got to be good.

Thanks again, Tom for your input.  Have a great weekend!

73,

-dave-  N7DKK  Medford, Oregon





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