Lap jointed cutters are almost invariably crap! You should be looking for side cutters with a forged box joint. If not abused, you should still be able to cut 0.1mm copper wire strands cleanly after several years of daily use.
Looking for some recommendations for miniature side cutters (110mm or so) with a nice feel, nice spring, high sharpness and capable of holding a sharp edge well when used within reason for light-duty electronics work.
I currently have a Tamiya 74001 and a Fujiya MP4-110, which I'm pretty happy with.
Lap jointed cutters are almost invariably crap! You should be looking for side cutters with a forged box joint. If not abused, you should still be able to cut 0.1mm copper wire strands cleanly after several years of daily use. One thing to beware of is components with plated steel leads - if you can pick them up with a magnet, don't use your best pair of side cutters on their leads!
I currently use Pro'sKit PK-22 side cutters. DO NOT buy online - you need to find a stockist and check that you get an even full jaw length cut in a cigarette paper with only light pressure. I rejected a couple of pairs before I found one I was happy with, but I was being fussy.
They replaced a pair of C.K Tools 3775 cutters that I had had for about ten years and broke when I didn't realise the cable I was cutting was copper clad steel.
At the C.K tools pricepoint you can generally order online safely, but if you go much cheaper there is no substitute for personally inspecting them before purchase. The Pro'skit PK-22 cutters have held up well, definitely comparable to the CK 3775 ones.
If you pay really careful attention to the geometry it is possible to successfully resharpen most types of hardened steel jawed cutters. Almost invariably one jaw has the precision cutting edge and the other jaw has a micro-flat that acts as an anvil, but maintaining the geometry can be a P.I.T.A, even with frequent cigarette paper testing while sharpening.
I know this is probably sacrilege, and I am one to appreciate e quality hand tools... but my cheaply Harbor Freight flush side cutters have been used for light to medium duty electronics work, including a lot of cutting of larger wires for repairing old tube radios, for a few years. I figured they would be garbage when I got them, but they are literally my most used hand tool.
I was really surprised at how well they have held up, and, since they are cheap, I have abused them too.
Anyone know a distributor in Australia for genuine ProsKit or CK?
I bought the Hakko CHP Micro Cutter from Amazon last year. $30 for 5 pcs. So far, the first one is still doing pretty well. I could recommend them. I don't consider myself a heavy user though so your mileage may vary.
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-Micro-Cutter-Clean/dp/B0063GL7UM
I bought the Hakko CHP Micro Cutter from Amazon last year. $30 for 5 pcs. So far, the first one is still doing pretty well. I could recommend them. I don't consider myself a heavy user though so your mileage may vary.
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-Micro-Cutter-Clean/dp/B0063GL7UM
I got a free pair of the Hakko side cutters. I tried them and realized I much preferred the Harbor Freight ones, believe it or not. I use them about once a month when I can't find the Harbor Freight cutters on my messy bench.
Hakko sidecutters are actually made by Piergiacomi http://www.piergiacomi.com/piergiacomi/
On the first sight they look and work good, however steel used is rather soft. If you try cutting anything other than pure copper wires, cutting edge will become dull and bent in instant.
Anyone know a distributor in Australia for genuine ProsKit or CK?From experience they're some of the worst value choices available. There are much better tools for the same price and many better tools for a lot cheaper.
While not exactly small. Has anyone looked into the Tungsten Carbide dental type flush Hard-wire cutters.