Best Cutters for cutting tig rods

[GunLocators]

Ok started a Tig class and were welding carbon steel what the best cutters for trimming up and cutting the rods were going to be using a lot of 1/8 I though a good set of linemans pliers may be a good option

[corbyndad]

1/8 inch...your gonna need a good heavy pair of ****s and squeeze like ****!! We run 1/8 inch on our sub arc at work and have a special cutter for that...kinda like a mini bolt cutter. Why are you using such big filler??

[Sberry]

Diags are not side cutters, lineman's pliers are what are slang termed side cutters and they are the tool for cutting welding wires, number 9's, hi leverage types like Klein or Diamond makes.

[Andy]

Are you cutting filler rod? I usually use the pre-cut stuff.

A small set of bolt cutters might be good. The compound leverage will make cutting much easier.

For cutting rod material, I usually use a 3" abrasive wheel in an air die grinder. Works well up to 1/2", maybe 3/4" if the wheel isn't worn down too much.

[Brian Oatway]

Are you cutting filler rod? I usually use the pre-cut stuff.

A small set of bolt cutters might be good. The compound leverage will make cutting much easier.

For cutting rod material, I usually use a 3" abrasive wheel in an air die grinder. Works well up to 1/2", maybe 3/4" if the wheel isn't worn down too much.

You use 3/4" Filler Rod.......that's crazy sh!t right there!!!

[Andy]

You use 3/4" Filler Rod.......that's crazy sh!t right there!!!

Nope, that's "rod material" like the stuff you're welding together. I wasn't clear if he was just talking about filler rod.

I pretty much never cut my filler rod. I have cut pieces from a spool of mig wire for small stuff.

I think he said this was 'tig class' so maybe they have a big roll of wire that works as filler, but wasn't really intended to be filler. Probably cheaper that way.

[fabricator]

All the pipe hands use mostly 9" klein side cutters. Good for 1/8 and under even stainless. Harder wires like inconell will eat out the sides.

[1930case]

All the pipe hands use mostly 9" klein side cutters. Good for 1/8 and under even stainless. Harder wires like inconel will eat out the sides.

Yep. I cut hundreds of carbon and stainless filler rods with a single pair of Kleins. I tacked one handle to my bench top and slid a hunk of pipe over the other for comfort.

We issued Kleins to students and they survive very well. Cheaper pliers will cost much more in suffering, and replacement pliers!

[Showdog75]

I use the red handle Klien lineman pliers.

[hockeyguynick]

I have some small Snap-On bolt cutters, maybe 12" that are great for cutting 3/32 stainless rod. Also got some real long sidecuts that work decent too. But linesmens pliers also work real good

[jpence38]

I am having a hard time believing that this question has gotten this many responses. Really

[GunLocators]

I was referring to the filler rod and yes they use a lot of 1/8 for carbon steel pipe welding. I have a set of 9" channel lock linemans pliers if they fail i will upgrade to kliens

[Sberry]

There is nothing wrong with Channelok, I bought a pair on sale he other day, were not hi leverage but still cut a wire ok. I agree as to lasting, I have a couple pairs of cheap china, they were purchased to ride along but found there way back in to general service, yes, they have been used a lot and were worth the 5 dollars a pair but the cutters cannot handle the continuous use.

[dondlhmn]

I use the same table for stick, MIG, TIG and O/A so most all my welding related tools are on or around there. I do sometimes cut TIG rod if the stock length is too long for me to get it in where I need to use it. So, being on my table, I usually grab my whelpers and just cut the rod to the length I need it. If the rod is too big/thick/tough for the cutter that is part of the whelpers, I usually lay the rod down on the table or accross some other piece of stray stock thick enough to take some abuse and then give the rod a whack to chop it in two with my chipping hammer and that usually cuts it with no problem. Yeah...it may contaminate the rod, but I have never had a problem with that because I use the end that I did not cut for welding. The only big drawback is that my buddies tend to view my method as pretty crude/neanderthal so they all give me a hard time. Oh, yeah...sometimes grabbing the hammer and giving the rod a whack to cut it startles anyone standing there with me because of the CLANG that makes and they then laugh or whine. If they whine I just whack THEM with the hammer! I'd get a pair of KLEINS to keep on the table, too...except that the guys that use my table on occasion are always complaining that I have too much junk on/around there already!!