MarkPAman Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 One of the things I seem to do quite a bit is cut cable ties - mainly from cables! it's probably because as I'm at a college, we tend to use them a lot to (try to) ensure cables stay with the equipment they're meant to be with. Now, a small pair of wire cutters is a fine tool for this, but is not a good thing to keep in ones pocket as they have pointy ends. So, does anybody know of something that folds up, possibly a bit like a leatherman, as I've not been able to find anything. A knife is not a good tool for this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley R Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I use a pair of sparky's sidecutters, have got slightly rounded tips, and are not spring loaded. Sit quite nicely in my pocket without cutting up all the stuff inside them. Ones I have have got Blue handles and are from Channel Lock USA (and insulated to 1000v) http://www.schnap.com.au/tools/pliers/channellock-cutters-203-mm.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainwave-generator Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/pliers+wrenches/wilko-everyday-value-plier-side-cutter-152mm6in/invt/0211939/ 99p in Wilko. Sorted. Failing that you can also just use needle nose pliers - pick up a bit of cable tie and twist, as long as they're up tight it'll snap it straight away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callumb Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 http://www.esska-tech.co.uk/esska_eng_s/box_openers_with_one_or_two_blades_190_a.html The two bladded version would work really well. So would the signal probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richb Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Or, for less than a quid, I'd be intrigued to see if this would do the job! http://www.awsmith.c...cutter_one_size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callumb Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Or, for less than a quid, I'd be intrigued to see if this would do the job! http://www.awsmith.c...cutter_one_size If its a cable that's been tied to a scaff bar for example that doesn't have a point to get to the cable tie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 One of the things I seem to do quite a bit is cut cable ties - mainly from cables! it's probably because as I'm at a college, we tend to use them a lot to (try to) ensure cables stay with the equipment they're meant to be with. Now, a small pair of wire cutters is a fine tool for this, but is not a good thing to keep in ones pocket as they have pointy ends. So, does anybody know of something that folds up, possibly a bit like a leatherman, as I've not been able to find anything. A knife is not a good tool for this! Thinking laterally, if you spend a lot of time cutting cable ties that are just keeping cables with equipment, or even if it's to release a cable from a bar, wouldn't it make sense to use releasable ties? Or velcro straps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatman Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Any of these will do the job and don't have pointy ends to rip holes in your pockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomG Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 One of the things I seem to do quite a bit is cut cable ties - mainly from cables! it's probably because as I'm at a college, we tend to use them a lot to (try to) ensure cables stay with the equipment they're meant to be with. Now, a small pair of wire cutters is a fine tool for this, but is not a good thing to keep in ones pocket as they have pointy ends. So, does anybody know of something that folds up, possibly a bit like a leatherman, as I've not been able to find anything. A knife is not a good tool for this! Thinking laterally, if you spend a lot of time cutting cable ties that are just keeping cables with equipment, or even if it's to release a cable from a bar, wouldn't it make sense to use releasable ties? Or velcro straps? Unfortunately if its like any school or college, the cable ties are normally there to stop the cables being taken from one machine to another without authorisation, thus re-usable cable ties wouldn't be an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted May 28, 2012 Author Share Posted May 28, 2012 Thinking laterally, if you spend a lot of time cutting cable ties that are just keeping cables with equipment, or even if it's to release a cable from a bar, wouldn't it make sense to use releasable ties? Or velcro straps? Ah but the cables don't walk off by themselves.......... When the latest Slash wannabe turns up for a practice without a guitar lead, he'll decide the easiest thing to do is take the one that's plugging in the electric piano - probably from another room. If he's forgotten the PSU for his effects peddles, well, the one on the synth looks the same and he's surprised when it does not work, but he will still not put it back where it came from. Amazingly, it turns out that he's written up an assignment, but it's on his laptop 'cos he's run out of toner at home, so now he's off to to the computer room find a USB lead he can "borrow" to plug into a printer somewhere. If he finds one and gets it to work though, he'll not put it back or plug the printer back infer the next person who needs it................the list goes on, but at least cable ties slow him down a bit. [/rant] ETA -( As Tom said) Anyway Thanks for the suggestions so far folks, though I don't think the box cutters are going to be small enough, in most cases, to get in the small gap available. Still on the lookout for something folding.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Remo Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Not folding and not cheap but a pair of cable sheers rather than side cutters are fantastic for cutting cable ties and dont have a sharp end. I no longer carry side cutters since buying a pair of these, great for striping cable toohttp://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1371&groupID=1431 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I don't have one handy so I can't try it but would a dressmaker's quick unpick (or seam ripper) work? If you haven't used one, its like a two pronged fork with a sharp cutting blade in the "v". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I would say a "quick un pick" as I know them would be FAR too flimsy. an entire metal version may work but I think the plastic of the handle would be too thin and crap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewg112 Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I don't have one handy so I can't try it but would a dressmaker's quick unpick (or seam ripper) work? If you haven't used one, its like a two pronged fork with a sharp cutting blade in the "v" Iv'e just tried it. It didn't work. Well it did, but for the speed and accuracy required, it would take far too long to "pick" at every cable tie. It took 2 attempts with it and that was when I was able to grip the cable tie. It would never work for this job, and they are incredibly sharp on the end! +1 for the Electricians cutters. I use them all the while doing my job and I often use them for cable ties (and other things). Just make sure you keep them in your pocket with the "blades" facing down, or when you bend over to pick something up, you get such a lovely pain in your side... Andy, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldradiohand Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I would say a "quick un pick" as I know them would be FAR too flimsy. an entire metal version may work but I think the plastic of the handle would be too thin and crap But they're only 50p each - you can get heavier duty ones with bigger handles for a couple of quid. Has anyone got one to see if they would work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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