13.7.1 Cutters

Good cutters are an essential tool for component lead cutting and removing insulation prior to soldering or performing. Ideally, they should be of the side cutter type with insulated grips. They should be slimline and lightweight for precision work. Cutters up to 35 cm long are employed in electronics applications. The cutters should be made of high quality tool steel so that they will make a sharp, clean cut. The tips of the cutters should be tapered to allow the user to reach a particular wire in a crowded area. Cutter jaws should be every well aigned so that cutting edges meet squarely and allow little or no light to pass through when held together. Cutter action should be smooth and clean.

Cutters should be used only for cutting copper wire or leads and not for trimming PCBs or metal parts. The cutting blades are easily blunted if misused. A blunt pair of cutter is worse than useless as it will not crop leads cleanly or strip insulation from wire without snagging and breaking strands. Some...