Lindstrom Cutters

[M. András]

I hope from the following images you understand why those cutters are almost indestructible: I even do not remember how long I own them (here at my home lab), but except for the accumulated dirt and some minor rust spots, blades are yet perfect.
Please also take a look to the thickness of the blades in the second photo: completely different from the typical 10-20$ cheap cutters.



The following picture shows the size (in mm) of the two models (522N left / 622NA right):

jes what happened to its handle?

what about knipex cutters?

[eliocor]

jes what happened to its handle?

The handle is soft and made of a substance which does not melt at contact with typical certified electronics cleaners (IPA/...)

Please take care that the cutters in my pictures were used for at least 8-10 years so they are dirty and a bit battered... 

[robrenz]

Excelta seems to make a huge amount of very specialized pliers and look like very high quality also

website http://www.excelta.com/home
Catalog link http://www.excelta.com/asset/file/0000/0045/Catalog.pdf

[eliocor]

Excelta seems to make a huge amount of very specialized pliers and look like very high quality also

I think at least half of their catalog is made of rebranded tools: tweezers are for sure made by Ideal-Tek (see my previous posts on EEVblog) and the same is for the cutters.
I recognize them because I own some of them (without any mark because they had some very small flaws: 2 euros apiece was a bonanza!).

From my posts, I think you'll understand I LOVE precision tools!!! Maybe they will cost a fortune, but if correctly used they will last forever. 

[ftransform]

Can you really notice the difference in cut compared to say cheap swanstrom cutters?
I mean if you are going to pay 300$ for a pair of indestructible cutters why not just buy 5 cheaper cutters for 100$?


Can someone post detailed (microscope?) pictures comparing a cheap cutters wire cut to a 100$ wire cutter cut?

To me this seems similar to audiophoolery but I don't know.. I can practically bite through the wire I am cutting with the cutters...
I noticed that the mis-matched POS chinese no name cutters that came in a cheap tool kit were pretty horrible at cutting wires but I can't imagine it getting better then these full flush swanstrom cutters I bought...

[eliocor]

The reason because I prefer good quality tools is very simple: once I have bought one of them, if correctly used it will continue to work flawlessly for several (even 15-20) years.
Please remember that I use my tools in a professional way (daily usage) and not once or twice a month.
If you prefer to use cheap tools, good for you. In the long term my 50$* will cost less than your cheap 10$ apiece which needs replacement after few months of usage.

I have some good mechanical tools (inherited from my father) which are old like me (50 years) but even for today standards they are flawlessly (their look can be a bit outdated...).
Maybe he spent lots of money, but it was a really good investment.
- - - -
Sorry, but I'm not able to make the comparison, lacking cheap cutters.
But please take a look to the photos I posted in the tweezer thread: You'll discover the difference from a cheap tweezer (used only few times) and some good ones.

*) I do not know where you got the 100/300$ unit price: I warmly suggest you to change tools distributor! To my knowledge, 40-60$ apiece is the right price for a GOOD general purpose cutter (in 1 quantity)

[ftransform]

I guess I took the hyperbole in this thread too seriously. 40$ seems alot more reasonable.


Btw those tweezers do look nice but I am working on building a vacuum pickup tool.

[robrenz]

I think at least half of their catalog is made of rebranded tools:

Now that you mention it, the cutters must be made by Tronex they are identical.

[eliocor]

from their catalog it seems they are not the same...

[robrenz]

The Excelta 7000 series is an exact copy of Tronex.  Same handles, same laser etch, stop screws, etc. The last 2 digits of the model numbers are even the same for the same plier. I would be suprised if they are not made by Tronex.

[T4P]

I guess I took the hyperbole in this thread too seriously. 40$ seems alot more reasonable.


Btw those tweezers do look nice but I am working on building a vacuum pickup tool.

I didn't build i bought 
2 vac pickup tools and a reel holder for only 15USD

[nanofrog]

The Excelta 7000 series is an exact copy of Tronex.  Same handles, same laser etch, stop screws, etc. The last 2 digits of the model numbers are even the same for the same plier. I would be suprised if they are not made by Tronex.

At least some seem to be re-branded Tronex, as the Excelta 7170E I have is an exact match with a Tronex 7070, but though the construction is similar (as you describe), the 7141E doesn't have an exact match with a Tronex part (physical dimensions are different; Medium size is 0.33" for Tronex, 0.44" on the Excelta <jaw length>). Though like you, I suspect it's an ODM product made by Tronex for Excelta the more I compare the two.

[ftransform]

I guess I took the hyperbole in this thread too seriously. 40$ seems alot more reasonable.


Btw those tweezers do look nice but I am working on building a vacuum pickup tool.

I didn't build i bought 
2 vac pickup tools and a reel holder for only 15USD

I wanted to build a compressor one with a foot pedal

[Psi]

*) I do not know where you got the 100/300$ unit price: I warmly suggest you to change tools distributor! To my knowledge, 40-60$ apiece is the right price for a GOOD general purpose cutter (in 1 quantity)

Lindstrom cutters are NZ$100-$300 from RScomponents, depending on model.

eg
http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/p/electronics-cutters-accessories/2284042/
http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/p/electronics-cutters-accessories/1205004/

[robrenz]

Lindstrom and Tronex are both in the $45.00 to $75.00 range depending on model in the US.  We are talking about the carbon steel versions not the tungsten or carbide versions.

[T4P]

I guess I took the hyperbole in this thread too seriously. 40$ seems alot more reasonable.


Btw those tweezers do look nice but I am working on building a vacuum pickup tool.

I didn't build i bought 
2 vac pickup tools and a reel holder for only 15USD

I wanted to build a compressor one with a foot pedal

i see 
Aren't aquarium pumps compressors? Not sure ... But the vac pickup system i'm buying is a compressor ( Of course it's OHL ... )

[IanB]

Compressors are devices for moving gas from a source at a lower pressure to a destination at a higher pressure. Therefore a compressor is a suction pump on the inlet side and a pressure pump on the outlet side. It's all a question of how you look at it.