I plan to use Tichy phosphor bronze wire to model the brake piping on a freight car. I've looked on the internet and can find lots of ads for sellers, but nothing on how soft the metal is. Would it be safe to use rail nippers on this, or side cutters? Or should I use a dremel with a cutting disk?
Side cutters are my choice.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
A cut off wheel is over kill. An old 11 xacto blade will work
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I have an old pair of rail nippers and use it. AFAIK, it hasn't damaged the nippers, like some of the other stuff that caused the damage to the nippers. That said, I don't use my new nippers to cut it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I stock Tichy phosphor bronze wire from .01” to .04” and it cuts fine with normal wire cutters without dinging the cutting edges. The Harbor Freight 5” Micro Flush Cutters work great!Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
If you are worried that the alloy has work-hardened in drawing or manipulation you can briefly anneal it at 400 to 600C before you cut it.
I agree with Henry, and use an X-Acto #11 blade to cut almost any size of brass and phosphor-bronze wire, and also for aluminum and brass tubing. I always work on a hard surface (usually glass).Smaller diameter wire can be cut with only suitable pressure on the wire (use the heel of the blade, not the tip, as the tip can easily snap off).
For larger wire diameters and tubing, I place a short length of masking tape on the glass, then place the item to be cut on it, rolling it back-and-forth by applying pressure with the knife.The knife will also cut small-diameter stainless steel wire, but it's not something that I use all that often.
For small-diameter music wire, side-cutters work well, unless a clean (not deformed) end is needed. For that and larger such materials, a cut-off disc is a good choice.
Wayne
Incidentally if you need an undeformed end, cut the piece just a tad long and suspend the 'overlength' into a ferric chloride (or equivalent) solution until it is the right length 'chemically' -- or mask off the correct length of formed wire directly as if etching.
OvermodIncidentally if you need an undeformed end, cut the piece just a tad long and suspend the 'overlength' into a ferric chloride (or equivalent) solution until it is the right length 'chemically' -- or mask off the correct length of formed wire directly as if etching.
A file is also an easy way to clean-up messy cuts.
I use a very expensive pair of Professional quality Mac Tools flush cutting nippers.
These provide a square cut non-deformed end that a single pass with a needle file will make perfect.
Normal diagonal cutting pliers will work just fine, but will need more filing to true the ends.
If you need precision lengths, it is best to cut it a little long, and file to length.
Tichy Phosphor-Bronze wire has always served me well. It is not so hard that you need any special tools. There have been a couple of good cutting methods mentioned, try them out and go with what works best for you.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
If you are using wire cutters, nobody has mentioned the need to contain the piece that is being cut off to prevent it from flying away, or worse, impaling you. Don't use your finger tip! I have stuck pieces of thin phosphor bronze (and other) wire into my fingers more than once. Safety glasses are advised too.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterIf you are using wire cutters, nobody has mentioned the need to contain the piece that is being cut off to prevent it from flying away, or worse, impaling you.
hon30critternobody has mentioned the need to contain the piece that is being cut off to prevent it from flying away, or worse, impaling you. Don't use your finger tip!
Dave, thank you for the safety reminder.
SAFETY FIRST! Never allow your hobby to bcomre the reason you need medical attention.
doctorwayne Overmod Incidentally if you need an undeformed end, cut the piece just a tad long and suspend the 'overlength' into a ferric chloride (or equivalent) solution until it is the right length 'chemically' -- or mask off the correct length of formed wire directly as if etching. A file is also an easy way to clean-up messy cuts. Wayne
Overmod Incidentally if you need an undeformed end, cut the piece just a tad long and suspend the 'overlength' into a ferric chloride (or equivalent) solution until it is the right length 'chemically' -- or mask off the correct length of formed wire directly as if etching.
I just use the correct tool for the job! A little over kill for the Phosphor Bronze wire, but excellant results along with able to safely cut just about any wire material made:
https://www.xuron.com/index.php/main/consumer_products/3/17
Take Care, All,
Frank
PS. When I got Mine yrs. ago, they were lower in price......
OK... Back home and I can post pictures...
These are the Mac Tools flush cutting nippers I use.
All my bronze wire if packed away, so I cut a piece of 12 guage solid copper wire to show you how they cut.
One side (one the left) is a perfect square cut that just needs one pass with a file to make perfect. The other side is badly deformed.
I cannot express how well these pliers do precision square cuts. They are expensive, but well worth it.
SeeYou190SeeYou190 wrote the following post 5 hours ago: OK... Back home and I can post pictures... These are the Mac Tools flush cutting nippers I use
When using the tool I posted a link for above, it will eliminate any need to dress the cut with a file or other means. The shape of the jaws produce a shearing action which does not distort the material like side cutters do.
Saves a lot of time and aggravation when installing hand rails and such. The part cut will fit right in the hole drilled for it without any dressing of the cut that using side cutters by it's own design, distorts the cut.
Take Care!
Man that is nice!