Best Flush cutting pliers for sprue removal

Kdog

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I have a couple molds where a clean break off is not even close to possible. So to avoid the extra work, I ground down an old pair if sidecutters to make them flush cut and they work but not exactly the way I want. So, I am looking for a good set of true flush cutting pliers for sprue removal. Any suggestions?????

Look forward to your responses. TIA
 

Bucko

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if such a pair exists, I haven't found them yet, or I'm too cheap to buy an expensive pair? I wriggle and twist mine of while they still hold some heat. I used to cut part way through them twist and it worked ok somewhat. if I get a bad one I just bang it on the table to smush it down.
 

Hawnjigs

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K-dog, I recently upgraded from $10 to $50 quality, and am really satisfied that was money well spent. There are literally hundreds of choices - this company carries most of the good stuff - 371 listings.
http://www.all-spec.com/search
I started by Googling "best flush cutters" and ended up choosing made in USA Swanstrom.

There are several types of flush cutters - super flush, flush, bevel flush, shear, among them. I started with super flush which cuts the flattest at surface level, but that left an annoying indented flat front on curved heads, like a GI buzz cut - best use would be for flat face trims like wobble jigs. So, I also got a bevel flush cutter which doesn't cut as deep a dent for slightly curved surfaces. There might be a curved cut tool available, but I haven't really looked for one. If you find one I'm interested!

The advantage of pricier cutters is steel hardness - cheap cutters softer edges will fold when they clash together. Haven't tried a shear cutter which might avoid this problem. Swanstrom uses a high carbon chrome steel alloy which is noticeably harder and seems to hold a sharper edge than the cheap stuff, and some of their cutters have a handle screw stop to eliminate blade clash. Google reviews tend to favor other Euro mfg brands like Lindstrom and Erem, but I'm satisfied with my USA Swanstroms.

Tried a used cutter on eBay, but an "excellent" Swanstrom I received had significant edge folding and nicks. Was able to hone off the folds, but the nicks remain. Some buyers rave about theirs being "like new" - luck of the draw.

Be advised tho that my main use for flush cutters is not for trimming off sprues since Do-it RHs break cleanly, but mostly for shaving the break scars smooth. As far as I know there is no tool that can cleanly trim off an oversize RH sprue without leaving a proportional oversize flat cut face.
 

Kdog

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I am finding the same thing they are 5 - 10 dollars and look like they will work a while before needing replacement or the ones that look like a tool made to last are 50 and up.

For Ball heads, I have an old mold with a round sprue that does not like to break. I found that a cat toe nail clipper gives me the best cut
http://www.thecatconnection.com/cat/Nail-Clippers.html It is not flush cutting but the offset is almost a perfect match to the radius of the head I have.

The item you mention that is being sought would be nice to have and almost impossible to make at an affordable price. But would be nice to have.

The side cutter I ground down to make a flush cutter works well and for now, is what I'll use sure beats 50 bucks but I'll keep looking.
 

Hawnjigs

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What's so special about your old ball head mold that you couldn't replace it with a Do-it?

My inexpensive cutters are still usable after up to 15 years of continual commercial use because I try to avoid abusing them with hard blade clash or banging hooks, plus resharpen as needed, which is fairly often. The new upgrade quality cutters have several noticeable advantages which translate commercially into reduced time and effort. Had I known about them 10 years ago, the savings, expecially wear & tair on my hands, would have been monumental. Anyone who has cut hundreds at a time of wheel weight sinker sprues would understand.

Here's a pic of a newer under $10 Plato flush cutter recently purchased, and a Swanstrom super flush both for small jig heads. Both made in USA, I have no experience with overseas mfg versions. Used the Plato only once, realizing it was no better than a 10 yr. old Gudebrod by the same mfg, then decided to upgrade to Swanstrom.

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Kdog

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Its special in that it belonged to and was made by my best friends father many years ago. He passed away almost 24 years ago and some of his old tackle ended up in my archives. It is a pinned ball head except is not pinned, the eye sockets are cut from solid. He used to fill the recess with lacquer to make his eyes or glue sequins in the recesses..... Mostly though it has sentimental value and I make a couple dozen for my friend every spring and fall. I no longer use it for my fishing and do not think I have any in my tackle boxes. I do not mind cutting and filing a few because using the mold brings back many memories of learning to cast bullets and jigs.

Also I have a Jacobs mold the has round sprues that do not break cleanly but casts so well I would not give it up for a DO IT.
 

Hawnjigs

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TC, those look like the first pair of cutters I got 15 years ago from a local tackle shop. I made do with them for many years, but lately only used em for sinker sprues and nipping/ripping off collars. They require what I consider excessive force to cut and require constant resharpening. Clumsy for small jigheads.

IMS appear to offer at least 4 grades of cutters, and this tier appears to be equivelant to the Swanstroms I recently aquired.
https://www.imscompany.com/ProductN...sories/Gate-Cutters/Super-Series-Gate-Cutters
Since the IMS version is made in the USA I would guess Swanstrom might be the mfg., particulary with the comparable "Super" designations. If so IMS equivelants might be a bargain. However, Swanstrom "Super" series cutters definitively identifies their steel as "high carbon high chromium" which IMS does not.

I would guess you get what you pay for, just depends what level of quality one settles for.
 

hookup

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I got a pair at home depot for $8 that cuts better than the $25 pair I got at barlows.
Look in the electrical dept for wire cutters.
And when the edge dulls, I'll just buy another.
 

Hawnjigs

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Barlows must have disco'd it - currently only 4 available online topping out at $15, none of which impress me. Modern flush cutters are indeed designed as an electrical tool for flat trimming circuit board nubs and soft wire. The better online reviews appear to be from jewelry-bead artisans. Fairly EZ to resharpen unless edge dinged or tip bent by abuse.
 

Shoemoo

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These are the ones I use. They came in a set with a set of needlenose pliers I use for removing hooks. They do a good job of trimming and are made from stainless steel. I love the spring that returns them to their open position.

51fCWAZoRqL.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Empire-2745-P...r=8-3-spell&keywords=empire+needlenose+pliers

I haven't had to sharpen them yet, so I can't say how long they'll keep going. They're only about 4.5" so maybe not for people with big hands, but I'm quite satisfied.
 

Hawnjigs

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Shoe, I have a twin distributed by ETC. Tools. Second flush cutter I got over 10 yrs. ago, and my fave for quite a long time. I totally abused it cutting thousands of thick sinker & SW jig head sprues, spring broke from fatigue, and its still useable. Actually never sharpened it for many years until a lightbulb popped in my head. Good deal under $10 for made in Japan quality.
 
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