These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

[TimmyPage]

Was just restringing my guitar with my regular gauge, 12-56 flatwounds. D and A string went on great, I cut off the end with wirecutters as I usually do. Got the E string in place, went to cut the end off of the string after, and after a few moments of struggling and pulling, I wondered why it wasn't cutting. I looked at the string and it was barely damaged, so I looked at the wirecutters and sure enough theres a circular indent right where I was cutting...

At least I'm not worried about these strings breaking in the middle of a gig, or, you know, if my guitar gets run over by a car...

 

[DLT]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

You might want to post this at the website "prisoners r us". They are always looking for things that cut through steel.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

If you're using the wire cutters that are on a set of wire strippers, that's your problem right there. Go to Rona or Home Depot and get a pair of side cutters. You may want to pick up a new pair of strippers while you're there. And no, I don't mean those kinds of strippers....

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

If you're using the wire cutters that are on a set of wire strippers, that's your problem right there. Go to Rona or Home Depot and get a pair of side cutters. You may want to pick up a new pair of strippers while you're there. And no, I don't mean those kinds of strippers....

+1, I only use side cutters to cut my strings

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Nope, these are definitely side cutters, and what I'm trying to say is.. the indent in them was actually left by the string itself...

My dad was an electrician, so as a result I know my way around electronics and tools generally suited towards, or used by electricians. This isn't the one I usually use for the job though, these are just a pair I grabbed at random out of the 5 or 6 kits of tools I have laying about my room.. nothing in here seems particularly high quality except the mini screwdrivers..

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Nope, these are definitely side cutters, and what I'm trying to say is.. the indent in them was actually left by the string itself...

My dad was an electrician, so as a result I know my way around electronics and tools generally suited towards, or used by electricians. This isn't the one I usually use for the job though, these are just a pair I grabbed at random out of the 5 or 6 kits of tools I have laying about my room.. nothing in here seems particularly high quality except the mini screwdrivers..

it's quite possible that the side cutters just aren't very sharp, or have corroded, or something along those lines.

 

[DLT]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Heck you guys know nothing! Timmy Page has a test set of Aerospace flatwound strings made by NASA. Somehow they got mixed in with an order of D'Addario and was sent off to a music store.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

I've always used a pair of dikes and never had a problem.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

I've always used a pair of dikes and never had a problem.

you said dikes. :haha:

 

[firebirdV]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Some side cutters have holes in them already. If the hole is perfectly round and there isn't any displaced metal sticking out of the side, then the hole was probably already there.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Some side cutters have holes in them already. If the hole is perfectly round and there isn't any displaced metal sticking out of the side, then the hole was probably already there.

Most definitely displaced. And hey, like I said: The A and D strings seemed to cut pretty easily..

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Pretty cheap pair of dikes. Get some better quality ones.

Hey don't dikes come in pairs? Wouldn't be a dike all by herself, now.

 

[B2D]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

I just use of of these:

Works on bass strings too!

 

[tenniso]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

you said dikes. :haha:

i knew that was coming

 

[DankStar]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

I use the legs of a butch lesbian too. They'll cut your whole guitar in 2 if your not careful.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Remember, electrical side cutters are really intended for copper wire, which is a lot softer than steel guitar strings. So, they're going to get dull and/or beat up over time. My solution is to use a good-quality pair, sized larger than I really need; they'll be more durable than a little pair.

I think my main guitar-cutting diagonals are 6", substantially larger than the little 3" or 4" ones I use for trimming component leads in pedals. Also, I don't mix them up. THe string-cutting ones get used only for strings - I have another 6" pair in the shop for light electrical work, and an 8" pair for house-wiring projects.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

Was just restringing my guitar with my regular gauge, 12-56 flatwounds. D and A string went on great, I cut off the end with wirecutters as I usually do. Got the E string in place, went to cut the end off of the string after, and after a few moments of struggling and pulling, I wondered why it wasn't cutting. I looked at the string and it was barely damaged, so I looked at the wirecutters and sure enough theres a circular indent right where I was cutting...

At least I'm not worried about these strings breaking in the middle of a gig, or, you know, if my guitar gets run over by a car...

Almost certainly traceable to cheap wirecutters.

Go down to Sears and buy a set of Craftsman wirecutters for 10 bucks. I have a Mini set of wire cutters, "combo" pliers and needlenose that I´ve been using for over 10 years that is still almost as good as new. And if I ever screw them up, lifetime no questions asked warranty, throw htem on teh counter and take new ones home with me.

DO NOT run over to Lowe's, Home Depot, Radio shack or whatnot and buy a pair for 5$ that´s the exact same unhardened cheap crap that already failed once.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

CK 3751 Piano Wire cutters, made in W. Germany (which dates 'em!). Had these forever. Never even needed to resharpen them.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

I don't have a wire cutter...if the string goes over/under for the wraps on the long part and you stretch the string enough, you can just rock the end piece back and forth until it breaks off clean. No nubs on the headstock at all. Smooth.

I've done this for years and don't have tuning problems at all.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: These strings just cut through my wirecutters..

almost certainly traceable to cheap wirecutters.

Go down to sears and buy a set of craftsman wirecutters for 10 bucks. I have a mini set of wire cutters, "combo" pliers and needlenose that i´ve been using for over 10 years that is still almost as good as new. And if i ever screw them up, lifetime no questions asked warranty, throw htem on teh counter and take new ones home with me.

Do not run over to lowe's, home depot, radio shack or whatnot and buy a pair for 5$ that´s the exact same unhardened cheap crap that already failed once.

+1