Knippex sprue cutting

[RedRum]

I’ve been using a knippex soft metal flush cutting tool to cut sprues off jigs. Anyone else have any tips on a clean, flush cut for this type of job? The knippex do pretty well until they dull out. 

[Apdriver]

Never use your good sprue cutter for anything but cutting lead. Just touching them on a hook shank will dull them. I used to wrap the shank on a mold that flashed a bit on the shank. About three times around the shank and one was dull. 
 

all that said, I like the Xuron flush cutters. I’ll copy and paste a pair but they have a bunch available. Really high quality tools.

https://xuron.com/index.php/main/consumer_products/3/84

[RedRum]

1 hour ago, Apdriver said:

Never use your good sprue cutter for anything but cutting lead. Just touching them on a hook shank will dull them. I used to wrap the shank on a mold that flashed a bit on the shank. About three times around the shank and one was dull. 
 

all that said, I like the Xuron flush cutters. I’ll copy and paste a pair but they have a bunch available. Really high quality tools.

https://xuron.com/index.php/main/consumer_products/3/84

The knippex only use is that. They actually don’t dull out for quite a while. 
The Xuron isn’t big enough. I’m cutting lots of 1-4 oz jigheads

Edited March 16 by RedRum

[Slammingjack]

I don't cut off the sprue. i use a large needle pliers and rock it back and fourth until the sprue brakes off. Then I use a file to smooth the jig.

[Ogajiga]

I refurbish my Swanstrom cutters with flat EZE Lap diamond sharpeners, the cheap plastic handle ones work OK but the extra fine grit can wear out quickly, so best to start with a coarser grit(s).

My cutters have an adjustable gap to prevent blade clash dulling.

Its important to flat sharpen the cutting edges of flush cutters like the original and avoid creating bevels.

[Ogajiga]

Filing lead can create hazardous dust.  With practice and a proper quality tool flush cutters can be used to shave off the sprue break or cut scar high spots.

[Jig Man]

I have been using a cheap pair of gate cutters from Barlow’s.  I’ve cut several thousand sprus off and only sharpened them a few times.

[Tiderunner]

11 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I have been using a cheap pair of gate cutters from Barlow’s.  I’ve cut several thousand sprus off and only sharpened them a few times.

This. ^. I've been suing the same two pairs of sprue cutters from barlows not only for lead, but for my tin bismuth as well. I'm probably going on 20 years. Everything from 1/8oz up to 20oz. Although at times the bending back and forth with a pliers works pretty well too.

When trimming lead with the Barlows cutters, the sprues just fall. When cutting tin, those suckers go flying!

On 3/17/2024 at 9:50 AM, Ogajiga said:

Filing lead can create hazardous dust.  With practice and a proper quality tool flush cutters can be used to shave off the sprue break or cut scar high spots.

Usually one or two quick passes with a file, or a high grit sand paper should do the job. I pass the head over the sandpaper, or just pass an aggressive file over the jig or weight or whatever. One or two passes should not create dust.

I think if you go nuts sanding and filing , then, yeah. You'll create dust.

[Jig Man]

I don’t sand or file.  I use a dull knife and wipe the blade across the mark left by the cutters.  That flattens it out so it doesn’t show after painting.

[Ogajiga]

I started with cheapest possible flush cutters & worked my way up to middle of the pack.  Main difference was paying more for harder steel lengthened the time before re-sharpening was necessary.  Also purchasing made in USA was a good way to express patriotic support for American mfg.

[Painter1]

I also cut & then file.  A damp paper towel on my bench catches the small filings.