What Are Strong Nippers?
Strong nippers are a type of manual tool for cutting metal wire and other materials by clamping them.
Uses of Strong Nippers
Strong nippers are mainly used for cutting metal wires (wires and wires). Nippers are used according to the object to be cut. Basically, all nippers called “strong nippers,” refers to their cutting ability, which differs depending on the shape of the blade and its material.
The center of the nipper’s blade must be able to hold a specified test iron wire and cut it with a load less than the specified value at the point where the wire is inserted.
This indicates that the hardness and sharpness of the blade are above a certain level. The standard values for the wire diameter and load of the test wire vary depending on the nominal size of the nippers.
Principle of Strong Nippers
Strong nippers are generally similar in shape to pliers, but unlike pliers, the gripping point is the blade. Strong nippers consist of a blade, a joint that serves as a fulcrum, and a handle. Strong nippers are made with an emphasis on sturdiness, and feature a thick, strong blade and a sturdy joint.
To use, place the line to be cut on the blade, grasp the handle tightly with your hand, and apply strong force to the blade using the principle of leverage. The blades are not crossed like scissors, but are symmetrically opposed. The blades are used to push through metal wires and other objects firmly.
Since the blades must push through the wire with the blades properly facing each other, it is important that the joints have no play.
How to Choose Strong Nippers
Select strong nippers according to the object to be cut. It is also a good idea to use indications such as “for use with 00” as a guide.
As shown below, cutting ability, ease of use, and price are sometimes contradictory, so it is important to find the right balance. It is important to select nippers suitable for the object in consideration of cutting ability and ease of use.
1. Material (Steel)
Nippers are made of carbon tool steel, carbon steel for machine structural use, or steel of equivalent or better quality. There are different price ranges depending on the steel material used.
Harder materials provide higher cutting ability and wear resistance, but they are more susceptible to impact and chip easily. On the other hand, if a soft material is used, it cannot cut hard materials and is susceptible to wear. Therefore, we use steel materials with properties suitable for the uses of the product while providing the necessary cutting ability, and strike a balance between cutting ability, price, and ease of use.
2. Blade Shape
The blade shape also determines the use. The strong blade type has high durability and is suitable for cutting hard materials such as piano wire and soft iron wire. On the other hand, the thin-blade type has a sharp cutting edge and is suitable for cutting soft materials such as electric wires and copper wires.
Types of Strong Nippers
Strong nippers are available in two types, J-type and I-type and are now consistent with the following:
- ISO 5743:1988 (Pliers and nippers−general technical requirements
- ISO 5744:1988 (Pliers and nippers−methods of test)
- ISO 5749:1988 (Pliers and nippers−diagonal cutting nippers−dimensions and test values)
Type I is thinner than Type J, but is rarely manufactured in Japan, and most of the nippers distributed in Japan are of the Type J shape.
Strong nippers are further classified into two types according to the cross-sectional shape of their blades: strong blade types and thin blade types. The slanted nippers have a slanted blade to make it easier to see the cutting point and are mainly suitable for precision work in electrical wiring. They are therefore used for cutting excess solder on electronic circuit boards and for dividing parallel lines.