Does someone have a a good source for affordable tools, I need a really good super flush cutter but the cheapest I saw so far was at R.Grande for 45.99.

Milli, Tools! Tools! Tools! Who can have enough? You might try the link below. Contenti has many flush cutters alshough I can't speak specifically for any one in particular. Good luck in your quest and if you find something on this site, I'd love to get your evaluation of the tool you choose. http://www.contenti.com/ Penny

Flush cutters offer a tradeoff between sharpness and strength versus the quality of the cut. Lindstrom's ULtra-Flush is a nice cutter, but you are right, they are very expensive.

I prefer a decent $6 cutter and either hide or modify the cut end. If the cut is not going to show, no problems. Most of the time it is, so I either hit it with a burr cup, as in the end of an earring wire, or hit it with a file. There seems to be little added value between $6 and $45.

Steve 

 

I haven't tried them myself, but I believe that Xuron cutters are pretty good, and much cheaper than Lindstrom or Swanstrom.

 Hope that helps!

I originally purchased an inexpensive flush cutter and within one month it was worthless...a blade actually broke on a piece of 18g HH sterling wire!!! I then decided I would purchase the best cutter I could afford and went with a Lindstrom...It is a real workhorse and I use quite a bit of 16g wire and some 14g wire.

I am sure there are other comparable brands in fact I purchased a set of tools from another swedish company Teborg and absolutely love them as much as I love my only other quality tool ...the Lindstrom flush cutter!

 <<I prefer a decent $6 cutter and either hide or modify the cut end. If the cut is not going to show, no problems. Most of the time it is, so I either hit it with a burr cup, as in the end of an earring wire, or hit it with a file. There seems to be little added value between $6 and $45.>>

Sounds like the difference between $6 and $45 is time vs. money. I have a pair of $40 flush cutters and I don't have to file my wire ends. I'd pay the higher price every time if it allows me to be more efficient!  :)
 

I bought my ultra flush cutter from wigjig.com for $24.95 and it's great.  It's made in Italy (Eurotool), makes very smooth flush cuts, and does a super job cutting 14 ga. and  16 ga. wire.  It even has padded ergonomic handles.

It may not have the allure of the Swedish one, but it doesn't have the hefty pricetag, either.

I actually found a nice pair of scissor-like flush cutters at Home Depot in the Tools section. They look like scissors but make nice flush cuts on Artistic Wire (which is almost all I use anymore to make colored jumprings). I don't have them in front of me (I'm at work) but I think the brand is Fen something. They were about $12, and I've had them a year without any problems with breakage or bad cuts. The handles are ergonomic and long (almost like a shrub cutter, total they're about 10 inches long!) Another chainmailler in a class told me about them, and I've been using it ever since! Angela

Hi,

An excellent ultra flush side cutter can be ordered from Kingsley North for about $20.  My daughter has
been using them for several years now.  It is a precision cutter and has ergonomic handles. The catalog number is: 6-1139 at $18.90 plus shipping.  Don't know if that is the current price.  Their website is: www.kingsleynorth.com.  Toll free telephone is: 1-800-338-9280.  They are located in Michigan.  Have been buying lapidary, jewelry supplies, equipment from them and have found them to be reliable company.  

 

Milli, funny because I just got an email this morning asking about cutters. I don't have a cheap cutter to recommend to you, but I do have a recommendation of a "super duper" pair of cutters which I got last year: Tronex, model 5223. Excellent, nothing compares to it. But they are also almost $50... I got mine at Amazon.

 

Hi There!

I found these for at widgetsupply for $6.30!  They cut thinner wires like 20g-30g wire.  Fiskars 9550 Diagonal Flush Cutter.  Check them out! Juli ;)

I can not sing the praises of my Lindstrom flush cutters enough. I too wanted inexpensive but these babies are amazing. They cut sooooo flush, chop through thock wire like it's butter, and I can get really close in to the inside of a complcated wrap.

The cheapest I have ever seen them is urban maille http://urbanmaille.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=6

They are worth it.

Szarka

I can not sing the praises of my Lindstrom flush cutters enough. I too wanted inexpensive but these babies are amazing. They cut sooooo flush, chop through thick wire like it's butter, and I can get really close in to the inside of a complicated wrap.

The cheapest I have ever seen them is urban maille http://urbanmaille.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=6

They are worth it.

Szarka

my flush cuttter started life as an end cutter but after a little work on the bench grinder it has now been transformed into a super flush cutter. Quite a few of my tools have been redesigned to suit my working style and needs

I know this is going to sound strange...  before you invest in another tool, try a good toenail clipper.  The one I have makes a perfect flush cut in 18 ga, silver, copper or GF wire every time.  I don't use 16 ga, soI'm not sure how well it will work on that.  But for 18 and smaller, it's great.

 I misplaced my regular tool once, needed to get a repair done quickly, and looked around for something that I could use to cut wire.  Tried my fingernail clipper and it 'almost' worked. So, I grabbed the toenail clipper. Worked like a charm. 

It takes less pressure to make the cut, too. So, if you are making a lot of them, as I do when I make necklace or bracelet links, your hand doesn't get as tired.

Lee Jewelry And Craft Tools   He makes them him self and guarantees them.  They are $20.00  I just love mine and would be lost wihtout them. And Kenneth is a great guy.

 

Deb 

  Normal 0 21 In Germany there is a saying: “The poor man lives expensive”. That means, if you buy too cheap tools, you must buy it again and again. At the end it is more expensive as if you buy good tools at once. And an other reason not to buy cheap tools: “Bad tools – bad results”

em

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