Are there any wire cutters out there worthy of cutting piano wire that are not $150?

Im not sure if it was just because it was old brittle wire but when I was trying to cut the strings off a piano I tried every pair of side cutters, wire cutters, even a brand new pair of tin snips was having trouble cutting thorugh the wire. I was able to cut three stirngs and decided to just back the pins out till the string broke off.

Soon I will be restringing a piano and It would be easier if I had a good pair of wire cutters. Any Help is appreciated.

http://www.pianoteksupply.com/assets/pdf/tools/wirecutters.pdf

WC-134 in the upper right corner work great. $31.40 I use these for cutting wire when de-stringing.

When stringing I personally use a decent quality pair of needle-nose pliers with a side cutter built in. I grab the wire at the tuning pin hole, pull the wire taught while letting the tip of the pliers slide to the desired starting point for measuring across my hand width, grab the wire across my palm holding it in place with my oppose-able thumb, release the hold of the pliers and bring them to the other side of my palm where I use the side cutting feature to cut the wire to length.

Good quality needle nose with built in side cutter, priceless, but less than WC-134 cutters! My needle-nose says craftsman on the side, FWIW.

I use some side-cutters that I bought at the hardware store. I prefer them to end-cutters. I probably paid about $10 for them years ago, and I doubt that they would be more than $20 now. Look for some with hardened jaws, and they will last quite a while. I have had mine for over a decade.

I also use the Craftsman needle-nosed pliers, too.

Piano wire is quite hard and the the cheapo cutters at the discount tool places simply wont hold up to it...most will be left with tiny round dents in the cutting edge. Tin snips/aircraft snips have too much play in them and are not designed for this. Get something with decent length handles and a small cutting head, this gives better leverage on the task. The older tools going back a few decades are usually heat treated really well and were standard. I've got about 3 good ones that I got from yard sales and they are all 1950-60's vintage, built just like the cars from that era. Paid anywhere from $2-$5 for them.

I went to my local hardware and bought a wire rope cutter from Rolson:



I used this extensively while practising wire splices. Although it's starting to show a little dent at the cutting edge, its cutting performance is undiminished. I think I paid about $20.

Linemans pliers work well for piano wire. I've had a set for 25 years that show no wear.

http://www.channellock.com/369-Linemens.aspx

What timely advice. I had my first 2 string breakages yesterday. Time to buy more tools.

I have a nice set of Starrett wire cutters with carbide blades.

But I don't use 'em. When I'm restringing I can establish a better rhythm with fewer tools, so I just use the side cutters in my pliers -- which I need anyway.

As it turns out, a set of even good pliers is trashed (for restringing work) after a couple sets of strings, so when I replace my side-cutting pliers, I get a fresh set of cutters, as well new grip. The other pair then gets made over into another tool or relegated to a use where gripping wire is not critical.

Wow thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll be getting a good pair of pliers to bend and cut with. Starrett cutters are great at cutting the wire but they are bulky.

I second Dale Fox's recommendation for the Xuron wire cutters. However, you can get them cheaper on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Xuron-2193F-060-Music-Shear/dp/B000FOJLEC/ref=pd_sim_indust_1

They cut great and leave a flat cut that won't pierce your finger as readily! They are also lightweight and portable.

I bought a couple pairs of pliers in Vienna a few years
ago. They are made in Germany and are the best I have ever
used. I also found a local distributor and now buy many more of their products.Check out the website. www.knipex.com.

Jack Houweling
604-970-3371
www.jackspiano.com

Can I use my center pin flush cutters to cut piano wire?

It will destroy them in short order! Centerpins are MUCH softer than piano wire. (please don't ask me how I know !)

Yes, if I were going to use separate wire cutters, these would be my choice.

Thanks, I decide to get a pair of the Xuron-2193f's. Anyone know how long these will last?

They will last until they break!

(or chunks are chewed out of the blades.)

Yeah I ran across an old pair of Starrett cutters my grandpa used when he was an electrician, the blades were completly gone and the cutters them selves had ben rusted solid. But they served 30years of electrical work.

Only if you have need of a pair of wire strippers!

However, you can use flush cutting music wire cutters to cut center pins.

From what I understand, when you cut the wire and keep the pliers gripped tight, it also holds the cut pieces for you...

Starrett cutters are what work best for me with their compound action. MUCH easier on the hands. eBay my friend! With a bit of patience, you can get a pair that are quite affordable.

The cutters on ViseGrip tools are indestructible. I use a thin nosed VG for wire splice loops and the built-in cutter shows no discernible wear after more than ten years of service!

Yes, VG is my other go-to cutter --and they have compound leverage. Meanwhile, my Starretts languish . . .

I like my Starrett wire cutters too for big jobs, but for on the road... the Xuron are nice

I got some wire cutters today. I got two pairs of Knipex 95 61 190 for $5. They were only used once or twice on light duty stereo wire. One pair cost about $45 so $5 for two must be a steal