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cutting cables without frayed ends
ditchlewis - 17/5/12 at 08:48 AM

I can't seem to cut cables without the ends frayind

Have you guys any tips?

Ditch

coozer - 17/5/12 at 08:52 AM

Bench sears work for me or failing that a sharp wood chisel on the vice with a smart blow.. then heat the end and run some solder in.

Davg - 17/5/12 at 08:57 AM

Solder the cable where u r goin to cut then chop with grinder with stainless steel thin cutting disc

amalyos - 17/5/12 at 08:59 AM

Wrap them in insulation tape, and cut with a grinder.

owelly - 17/5/12 at 09:00 AM

Tightly wrap with leccy tape and then cut with 1mm slitting disc.

SeaBass - 17/5/12 at 09:11 AM

Superglue works well too. Couple of drops soaked into the end of the cable then wrap as mentioned then cut.

ditchlewis - 17/5/12 at 09:13 AM

Many thanks lads I will try a few at the weekend. Lots of inginuity here.

Ditch

ditchlewis - 17/5/12 at 09:22 AM

Many thanks lads I will try a few at the weekend. Lots of inginuity here.

Ditch

^^^^ the blackberry has a mine of its own, or it could be the rocking of the train.

[Edited on 17/5/12 by ditchlewis]

BenB - 17/5/12 at 09:24 AM

You can say that again

nick205 - 17/5/12 at 09:26 AM

What size cables are you cutting?

A decent (sharp) set of side cutters will do most cables unless you're up to battery sized cables.

maccmike - 17/5/12 at 10:19 AM

If its not attached to car...
When I want to cut battery cables I use a large kitchen knife, chopping board and a rolling pin to hit the knife with.
Really does work cleanly.

Bluemoon - 17/5/12 at 10:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by SeaBass
Superglue works well too. Couple of drops soaked into the end of the cable then wrap as mentioned then cut.


Don't do that if you intend soldering it afterwards had very nasty experience from fumes from superglue when heated....

Peteff - 17/5/12 at 10:46 AM

I use some Knipex end cutters on up to 5mm Bowden cables and they cut clean with no fraying.

adithorp - 17/5/12 at 11:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I use some Knipex end cutters on up to 5mm Bowden cables and they cut clean with no fraying.


Good end or side cutters will do but cable cutters/shears are better. Knippex are about the best in both cases. They need to be good enough to cut through in one goand if you need 2 squeezes then it'll fray in most cases. A drop of solder helps but shouldn't be needed.

coyoteboy - 17/5/12 at 11:18 AM

quote:

Superglue works well too. Couple of drops soaked into the end of the cable then wrap as mentioned then cut.


As mentioned earlier, do NOT do this if you plan to solder it. Superglue is cyanide based, when you heat it and the fumes go anywhere near your eyes, face, lungs it's a really really unpleasant experience - think instantaneous bloodshot watery eyes, difficulty breathing and stinging skin.

ashg - 17/5/12 at 11:18 AM

sharp side cutters are the key. if they are slightly blunt then they are next to useless.

ditchlewis - 17/5/12 at 12:07 PM

Oww more good ideas, i dont think i have enough cable to try them all out

i'm trying to cut 2mm to 3mm steel throttle cable and then be able to thred and re thred them through the linkage.

cheers lads

ditch

Bluemoon - 17/5/12 at 12:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ditchlewis
Oww more good ideas, i dont think i have enough cable to try them all out

i'm trying to cut 2mm to 3mm steel throttle cable and then be able to thred and re thred them through the linkage.

cheers lads

ditch


Now that's different, steel cable, cut of disk in dermal, tape warped around wire before cut... Most side cutter are not man enough for steel (you can get them but not the same as the ones for electrical cables).

Cheers

Dan

ShaunB - 17/5/12 at 02:16 PM

I use a short section of shrink wrap and a 1mm cutting disk. I've never had much luck with soldering, probably the cable was not clean enough for the solder to flow.

FuryRebuild - 17/5/12 at 03:14 PM

The 1mm slitting disk makes a big difference; i've always been surprised at how good a cut it makes.

rusty nuts - 17/5/12 at 06:29 PM

Use a good sharp cold chisel , lay the cable on a vice /anvil /metal block , place the chisel where you need to cut and give it a sharp tap with a hammer. Quick and neat

OX - 17/5/12 at 06:57 PM

As Pete has already said , Knipex or Facom side snips will wee it . I used Facom for years whilst making clutch cables and throttle cables and as long as the tips haven't rounded off then there great for undoing screw heads that have had the centre worn out or small nuts and bolts that have rounded off. Using a grinding disc seems such a heavy handed way of doing it