Electronics > Beginners
Strippers, flush cutters, pliers, tweezer recommendations?
AnyNameWillDo:
I'm a buy-for-lifer so I'd prefer to buy nicer tools that I only have to buy once.
Can anyone speak to models like these? Would I be missing out on anything if I got these tools? Or any compelling reasons to go with other recommendations?
Strippers:
IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper/Cutter/Crimper, 7", 2078317: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JNLUN4/
(Or would it be better to get something like)
Hakko CHP CSP-30-1 Wire Stripper, 30-20 Gauge Maximum Cutting Capacity: https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CSP-30-1-Stripper-Maximum-Capacity/dp/B00FZPHMUG/
Flush Cutters:
CHP-170 Micro Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZPDG1K/
(Would I need any other kind of wire cutters other than flush cutters? Stronger flush cutters?)
Pliers:
Stanley 84-114 3 Piece Basic 6-Inch Slip Joint, 6-Inch Long Nose, and 6-Inch Diagonal Plier Set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HVU4W/
Or, maybe these two (round-nose and flat-jaw)?
KNIPEX 34 32 130 ESD Precision Electronics Pliers: https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-34-130-ESD-Electronics/dp/B005EXO072/
KNIPEX 35 12 115 ESD Electronics Pliers: https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-35-115-ESD-Electronics/dp/B005EXO068/
Tweezers:
Wiha 44501 Stainless Steel Fine Point Professional ESD Precision Tech Tweezer with Static Dissipative Grip and Hypo Allergenic, 130mm Overall Length: https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-44501-Professional-Dissipative-Allergenic/dp/B0009K3IAK/
Or is it better to get a kit like:
Precision Tweezers Set, ElleSye 10 PCS ESD Tweezer Set, Anti-Static Stainless Steel Tweezers Kit Curved Tweezers for Craft, Jewelry, Electronics, Laboratory Work: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Anti-Static-Stainless-Electronics-Laboratory/dp/B071KCBXPR/
ocset:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maplin-Miniature-Cutters-Electronic-Assembly/dp/B00T659VDW
..these were the best side cutters (flush cutters) i ever had......from maplin in uk, but now its gone bust....dont you still have an electronics hardware store in USA?....i am sure its called something like Tandy?...go in and see it before you buy it is best
TomS_:
Those tweezers look similar to a set I have, which are branded Pixnor (although the branding has mostly worn off on the ones I use most frequently). Mine were individually packaged, and lets just say I shouldnt be short of them for a while...
They are incredibly pointy too, one day a pair of them fell off my table and, well, the picture speaks for itself.
Ive lost count of the number of times Ive drawn blood through some accidental encounters with the ends of them. :-DD
More:
Im also trying to get my collection of "tools to take to the grave" together, so here is some of the stuff I am using which has been working well so far...
Personally, I have two pairs of Knipex 78 13 125 ESD side cutters. They come with a "lead catcher", and I have one set with them attached and the other without. Its really handy being able to switch between them quickly without having to muck around attaching and removing the lead catcher. Can highly recommend.
For wire strippers, I have a pair of these which I could honestly say work well for me: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074SDPK4F
I find them great for stripping little bits off for crimping terminals, ala JST headers etc. For the crimping itself I use: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076792R2C
I also have a pair of these for stripping Kynar insulated wires (once you get it dialled in it works absolute wonders): https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/8640776/
The above could also do some slightly bigger gauges, but Ive left mine set for 30AWG Kynar.
Screwdriver set .. it might be a little pricey, but the iFixit screwdriver set is reeeeallly nice. And comes with more tweezers, which also look like my Pixnor tweezers.
I havent yet bought any pliers, so cant comment on that.
Richard Crowley:
@treez, over here in the Colonies, RadioShack (Tandy) essentially went bankrupt about a year ago, and only a modest online shop remains. None of their tools were particularly notable, IIRC.
IME, cutters (or at least flush-cutters) and strippers are "consumables" unless you go to the expense of tooling (and expenditure of learning time) to sharpen them. And most of the really good flush-cutters aren't really very sharpenable in the long-term. I have no expectation that I can "buy quality once", so I am resigned to finding reaasonably good, "disposable" flush-cutters. My current favorite (which is currently available) are these..
Hakko CHP Micro Cutter, Clean Cut, 16 AWG around US$5 each...
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-Micro-Cutter-Clean/dp/B0063GL7UM/
AnyNameWillDo:
Hard for me to tell but is that the same flush cutter I linked above?
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