Garden Railway Forum

Hi, many moons ago I bought a pair of those rail cutting side cutters for OO and OO9 track. The positive thing about them for me was that the cutting surface was on the very edge of the jaws. I didn't heed the instructions and I used them for cutting other than OO rail which resulted in the cutting edge looking more like a bread knife with notches etc. What I'm looking for is a bit more robust. A set of cutters that will cut a hard wire, pin or even a brass ba bolt or similar but preferably with the cutting surface on the edge of the jaws. I know I could use a small hacksaw and follow up with a file but I'm after the easy life.

Any ideas?

I'm not sure there is anything 'beefier' than Zuron track cutters other than proper wire cutters, which of course, don't have the cutting blade on the edge of the jaw.
The best alternative I have found is mini cutting discs for Dremel type tools.

Zuron also make a set of cutters for hardened wire, including piano wire. I have a set and after seeing them in use, my wife asked me to buy her a set for some of the hard wire used in her jewellery making. I think I bought mine at a show from Squires or a similar stall, although I have seen them available since for mail order.

John

I'm a Dremel mini disk man (with some careful tidying up with a file)

When I want to cut bolts I use a metal hacksaw. I tightened a nut up to just before the place where I am going to cut and once I have made the cut I unscrew the nut and it threads the bolt clean again.

Good tip Tom - I like that one

Hi all,
thanks for the list of ideas. I think I will be using the mini disc cutter followed up with a file.