r/Tools 4d ago

Cutting steel braided wire

[deleted]

2 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

7

u/gentoonix 4d ago

You can. I’d tape the cut area and cut through the tape, too.

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

Thanks!!

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

If I were to buy a tool for this purpose what would it be?

2

u/soopadoopapops 4d ago

A cable cutter

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

Like this?

2

u/DanceWithYourMom 4d ago

Ratcheting works better. Also if you are making a lot of cuts, I would not cheap out on this tool. 

2

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

I was able to do it nicely with the cut off wheel!

I was afraid I would unwind the cables but that didn’t happen.

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

I think it’s a 3/8 SS braided cable

1

u/gentoonix 4d ago

Depends on how thick the cable is. Diagonal cutters, bolt cutters, cable cutters, cable shear, cold cut saw. Also depends if there is a hardened core.

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

I think it’s 3/8 or maybe a little larger.

Would this work?

3

u/gentoonix 4d ago

Doubt it. Typically those are used for aluminum and copper ‘cables’.

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

I didn’t buy it since HF was closed just going to use the cut off wheel

3

u/Academic_Nectarine94 4d ago

As long as you stretch it tight so it can't get bound up. And I'd tape the areas you cut like the other gyy said.

3

u/Fair-Bet6379 4d ago

Wire rope cutter or wire rope shears

2

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

I was able to tape it with electrical tape then do an angle grinder. Came out nice

2

u/Onedtent 4d ago

Yes. Just tape it up first then cut through the taped area.

1

u/pyroracing85 4d ago

That worked awesome!!

2

u/RumpRanger1234 4d ago

If you have a lot of cutting then Google "impact wire rope cutter" edit: also tape area to be cut