On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:29:29 -0800, DaveC wrote:

I used to own a pair of flush cutters where the jaws and the handles met at
about a 45-degree angle. Made for a nice tool for getting in between
components when you needed to nip something off flush with the PCB.

I think they were Xcelite.

I can't find anything like those Xcelites anymore. Everything is either
straight (no angle between the jaws and handles) or maybe a slight angle.

Anyone know of a good cutter that has a 45-degree angle? Flush-cut desirable
but not critical. A 1/2" (12 mm) jaw opening would be nice, though.

Thanks,
Dave


Such tools are still around, but I have never seen a flush cutter that
had a half inch long cutting jaw. Ever.

Try hunting up Lindstrom on ebay if you want the absolute best Swiss
steel hand tools. Not cheap.

Alternatively, Xcelite dies still exist and they as well as a few other
inhabit the bottom of the market, from a quality POV.

Regular flush cutters are cheap steel, don't last long, and only cost
about $8 each, so they get bought by the case in boxes of ten.

The angled pair are usually single sales items though. The bottom end
has them for about $5 more each, and the top end has them at a similar
price to all the others because they are all expensive at that level.

They are also worth it.

If you want a pair that will last decades, and is fully serviceable,
and uses the hardest steel and tightest tolerances, Lindstrom shares no
equal. Well worth the typical $35 - $55 a pair.