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Soldering tools | Miscellaneous hand tools | Bench top tools > Miscellaneous hand tools, Workbench improvements
Mini Pliers (electrical electronics) and basics regarding hardness in HRC scale
Kiriakos GR:
I did recently purchase a few Low-cost Mini Pliers, and this become a fresh opportunity for me so to rediscover hand-tools specifications.
All three pliers which I get they include and a cutter section.
The factory told me that these are 30-35 HRC and minimum test cutting diameter should be 0.8mm or higher.
This now explains of why when I tried to cut telephone single core wire of 0.5 and even 0.4mm wire of network cable, the results was not that perfect.
The copper wire was crushed by 98% (by the tool cutter) but not perfect cut and separation.
This now translates that tools made of carbon steel, they are good for general purpose, but due the low hardness of 30-35 HRC they can not become raiser sharp cutters and survive in long term.
The next level up: This is Chrome Vanadium Steel, at this point we are talking of 60 HRC hardness, and the cutter will be able to be further sharpened (in the factory) so to handle lower in diameter material's which could be harder than copper.
In other words the Chrome Vanadium Steel is the element which can produce tools bringing the name of precision cutters and pliers.
The next level up: This is promises and claims made by steel experts and champions in this field, that their offerings are up to 70 ~ 75 HRC hardness.
These guys aiming costumers which manufacturing and maintaining aircraft.
Price tags get tremendously high, over the 20 Euro mark with 60 Euro as average.
Personally I am not happy from my last purchase of Knipex cutter four years ago.
cluca1969:
I bought a set of pliers from Knipex last year and I am very pleased with them.
I tried to build a custom set of pliers and cutters from Knipex and I think I succeeded.
What models do you have from Knipex and are you not very happy with them ?
Kiriakos GR:
This is one comparison which I did in the past and up to date I have the same opinion.
https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=717.0
cluca1969:
Unfortunately, KNIPEX still makes a big difference between the West European and East European markets, and here I am referring to the quality of the products they sell, or maybe they sell refurbished tools.
As an example I can point to a kit posted earlier that about half of the pliers were locked, I had to use a lot of force to open them.
I had no choice and I had to adjust it with a fine file and fine sandpaper.
Of course, the results were as expected, I got some western quality tools.
KNIPEX (if you read these) please don't play with our money anymore, we work hard for them !!!
Kiriakos GR:
Well I am totally disappointed with Knipex 7861125 ESD.
With such small cutting jaws opening you are unable to stress the tool beyond limits, even so and with lightweight use, this tool it is now problematic.
Master pin axle this is not tight any more, cutters are almost out of aliment, cutting jaws injured at several places.
I use this tool mostly to fine trim soldered components leads, and many times I did strip insulation of copper multi-core cable.
I can not justify this magnitude of destruction over the specific tool, and that this is happened because I broke or violated the rules of the universe.
Actually I have now a better explanation, KNIPEX sold to me regular carbon steel with a bit of hardening at tremendously high price.
This Knipex 7861125 ESD it should never sold higher than SIX Euro coins, because is not worth that much.
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