Members CustomDoug Posted November 30, 2013 Members Report Posted November 30, 2013 (edited) What are you guys using for cutting down the length of copper rivet posts before setting them with a hammer? I've been using a relatively small set of nipping pliers. But it's always been a struggle at best, and I haven't done many at all. Will mostly be using #12 rivets. I'll be going to Harbor Freight at some point this week - would they have something that would work? Edited November 30, 2013 by CustomDoug Quote
Northmount Posted November 30, 2013 Report Posted November 30, 2013 Regular diagonal cutters work. The end nippers work nice too! Get longer handles if they are giving you problems with #12. Tom Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted November 30, 2013 Contributing Member Report Posted November 30, 2013 It's just copper ... a wire cutter will do it. Quote
Members camano ridge Posted November 30, 2013 Members Report Posted November 30, 2013 End nippers are what i use. I put the cutters down against the burr and it cuts at just about the right height. They are about 6- 10.00 depending on where you get them Harbor freight does have them. Mine are from home depot. One trick I learned is not to cut them in one cut. I take a partial cut then rotate the nipper around the rivet and take another partial cut rotate again a little and cut through. Only take a few extra seconds. It setsw it up so that it will peen nicely and the stub will be ncely rounded. Quote
Chief31794 Posted December 1, 2013 Report Posted December 1, 2013 I use a large set of end cutters as well, snips them off leaving a small amount above the washer, just the right amount to peen down and dome for good looking rivets. I use the No 9 Rivets and I haven't been able to cut them with diagonal cutters, I bought my end cutter at Lowes in the tool area. Get the longest ones, mine are about 14" long. Chief Quote
Members CustomDoug Posted December 1, 2013 Author Members Report Posted December 1, 2013 ... One trick I learned is not to cut them in one cut. I take a partial cut then rotate the nipper around the rivet and take another partial cut rotate again a little and cut through. Only take a few extra seconds. It setsw it up so that it will peen nicely and the stub will be ncely rounded. That's a good tip, thanks. Quote
Members CustomDoug Posted December 1, 2013 Author Members Report Posted December 1, 2013 OK, I'd been using end nippers but I guess they are just too short handled for the #12s.. I'll see if I can find a pair with a particularly long handle - 'cause I like the idea of not having to guess where along the stud to make the cut. I suppose hardened steel or some kind of hardening process is important too (assuming they're not all done this way now)? Heck.. I'll get a set of the side cutters too, probably dirt cheap at HF. Thanks for the input guys. Quote
Members Double U Leather Posted December 1, 2013 Members Report Posted December 1, 2013 I use an old pair of hoof nippers that are too dull for the horses. Talk to someone who has horses, and you can probably get a pair of old hoof nippers given to you. And, they work great. Quote
Members SLudlow Posted January 27, 2014 Members Report Posted January 27, 2014 Small pair of bolt cutters for me. Quote
Tree Reaper Posted January 27, 2014 Report Posted January 27, 2014 Buy the length you need and that problem is solved. Quote
Members awharness Posted January 28, 2014 Members Report Posted January 28, 2014 Knipex nail nippers! You get them from the farrier supplies store! They hammer through the #9 like nothing! Quote
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