Hello, what you would guys recommend for cutting 3/32 inch steel music wire. The cut should be fairly clean. Thank You for your help. - Peter
Modeling the Bellefonte Central Railroad
Fan of the PRR
Garden Railway Enthusiast
Check out my Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PennsyModeler
A good pair of diagonal cutters or a small bolt cutter will do the trick. cheap diagoanal cutters may be left with a notch in the the blade if the music wire is hard enough and the steel of the cutters are not up to the task.
If you need to clean up the end more, use a bench grinder or a peice of black silicon carbide wet-dry sandpaper on a hard surface.
A Dremel with an abrasive cutoff wheel will cut it too. I do not know how many cuts one wheel will do ( or how may wheels per cut ) Cut slowly and carfully making sure the blade does not get stuck in the slot as it works its way though the metal. Again, use an abrasive tool to clean off any burrs left from the cutting. the face of the cut off wheel should work fine.
Winnegance and Quebec Railway
Eric Schade Gen'l Manager
Take it from an old telephone guy. Just nick the wire with a diagonal cutter and bend the wire back and forth and it will break in two at the nick. Use a file to get a cleaner end.
Have fun, Rob
I got a bolt cutter and it works like a charm. Thank you Captain Perry and Rob for your advice. - Peter
G gage Rob has the right method. You just need a nick in the wire and it will snap. You will not damage the cutter. if you persist on using the cutter to cut completely through. Quickly you will see a nick in the cutter. touch up (if needed) with a quick filing.
I do just as you describe and it works great, but thanks for chiming in to help, it is much appreciated. - Peter
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month