GF9 vs. Steel Music Wire

[Requirement]

I know! $10 at the LGS… $5.50 at the local hobby shop. I figure since the owner of the LGS knows me as "Malifaux Guy" I pay them enough to not feel too bad about about buying flock and tools elsewhere.

[Subötai]

I use the side cutters on my pair of hardened parallel pliers to cut spring steel safety pins for pinning for over a decade. Occasionally, when a very small pin is needed, I use very small brass safety pins. I get a chuckle out of hobby cutters warping trying to cut anything harder than brass.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/300695571301

[SpiralngCadavr]

I know! $10 at the LGS… $5.50 at the local hobby shop

...50¢ at the hardware store (though you'll probably be buying in bulk)... free at the beach/park/etc. with a sieve and a little patience ;)

[Todd]

I agree with Tombanjo, brass rod is good enough for most situations. Also, it's quicker and easier to work with. I feel like I end up cleaning the cut ends up more often with the music wire, and its a harder material so... it's harder.

Don't risk ruining the GF9 clippers, get something more appropriate from the hardware store.

[Iron Heel]

I've got large pliers with hardened clippers, but I'd like something smaller which is why I was looking into the GF9 ones.

[Todd]

People say they are super strong, but I doubt they are that strong. You can find some pretty small side cutters that will work on music wire. It has less to do with size and more the hardness/shape of the cutting edges. I've got a pair that came in a plier/clipper set from Harbor Freight. Super cheap (5 piece set for about $5), but they're tiny and they work.

[Requirement]

For the record, I use straight pins(for sewing) for all my pinning needs. They are pretty hard and I have never had any problem cutting them with any decent pair of cutters, including my buddies smaller pair. It is all about the quality of the jaw of the cutters.

[Tombanjo]

I've used music wire for other hobbies and there may be some miniatures or gametable type situations where it could be useful. If that's the case I would heartily recommend this little widget. makes a nice clean edge, even better than hardened side cutters and hasn't met wire it couldn't easily slice through. http://www.xuron.com/industrial/shea...files/2193.htm

Dave

[Hardlec]

Tools vary wildly in regard to quality, utility and price. I like Harbor Freight Tools for "discount" tools, and Ace Hardware, for discount sometimes and quality mostly. All the hardware stores typically do very well with SERVICE!!!!! you can find an expert who will usually make an excellent reccomendation. If they don't have it, they can often order it for you, sans shipping fee.

Memory Wire cutters are found in bead/jewelry supply/hobby stores. Places like Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Memory wire cutters are designed to cut super-hard-tempered memory wire used to make necklaces and bracelets. It will make a clean "flush" cut on music wire up to 18 guage.