Cable Cutters

Cable cutters fall into four categories: shear action or hand-held, long-handled or two-handed, ratcheting, or power-assisted. The majority of cable cutters are manually operated and conveniently transportable. A motor drives some cable cutting machines. These motor-driven cable cutters often employ microprocessors to complete automated cutting sequences based on the cable’s size, shape, material, thickness, and the length you want the cable to end up. Many cable cutters come as either a bare tool or a kit from some of the top brands in the industry such as DEWALT, Milwaukee Tool, and Makita USA. Cable cutters are primarily used to cut copper, aluminum electric, telephone, TV, or coaxial cable. The cable is usually thick and encased in insulation; therefore, manual cable cutters need to effectively leverage the operator’s power and strong blades to cut through it. 

Choosing the right set of cable cutters for your job will be subject mainly to personal preference, but you should consider the type of installation you’re handling too. How thick is the cable you’re cutting? What materials are the insulation and conductivity wire made from? How do you want to transport the cable cutters (pocket, toolbox, toolbelt, etc.)? Is the tool insulated to protect against electric shock? Are the blades adjustable to handle different cable materials and thicknesses? How durable are the blades and are they heat-treated? Are the handles comfortable to hold? Depending on the line of work you’re in, you may want various cable cutting tools on hand.