I often wonder about tool manufactures alloy claims... don't recall ever hearing of specimens being sent for metallurgy lab confirmation; and seriously doubt anyone keeps up with or oversees said claims.
Proper alloys and heat treatment are fundamental properties of a quality tool. Usually various alloys are tested to failure then the best performer is chosen. An incorrect choice can lead to early failure or even injury to the user. I can guarantee that the alloy in the Milwaukee bolt cutters is different than the work pro.
@@drewlop The real proof is in the performance of the tool. An improperly heat treated tool will be brittle or soft, and it will fail. At the corporate level, the material supplier can be held liable if they are not supplying what they claim and a failure occurs where someone is injured. There are many standardized test protocols used everyday to verify material characteristics, including hardness. For example, Rockwell hardness can be tested by dropping a small heavy sphere onto the material sample and analyzing the dent it makes.
pretty good review of the workpro. i would have appreciated a few test cuts with a couple of the most comparable knipex models on the table though for context/comparison
I got these for cutting wiring big wire, 12/4 and 12/6 wire. I built service trucks and dump trucks for a few years and the generic wiring kits were never long enough had to splice all of the wiring. Those made quick work of it.
Workpro parent company is Greatstar. They also own SK, Shop Vac, Arrow fasteners and Duratech. I would put Workpro on the level of many of the box store house brands. Good review and showing some good ideas of what they can handle.
I have a set of Red Blue Knipex with a barrel spring and a twist lock, I use them for very large cotter pins to remove them and to cut the tangs off, I also have a set of flush cutters which I use for zip ties only
They make a $20 version of the Knipex cobolt as well. It has the notch to fit things into the bottom of the cutters and everything, same as the Knipex. I’d love to see you review those
Piano wire would have been a good test but bike cable would be a mess. What’s needed there is circular or hex closing jaws to keep the strands bundled while shearing them.
Aren't you a bike mechanic? Might be good for spokes, footlongs are a bit unwieldy for that. Also some bike cables are a bit much for regular cutters, it works but it's a hassle, and again footlongs are unwieldy for that.
I've one of these cheap chinese cutters in every fishing gear set i own in case a hook lands somewhere it doesnt belog - never used it hopefully never will..
My issue with these smaller bolt cutters are, any decent side cutter would be able to cut what the mini bolt cutter can cut....I just don't see the point of spending money on it.
![[1408] Better Than Expected: Ryobi Bolt Cutter](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vMz89XjRXj0/mqdefault.jpg)
I often wonder about tool manufactures alloy claims... don't recall ever hearing of specimens being sent for metallurgy lab confirmation; and seriously doubt anyone keeps up with or oversees said claims.
Proper alloys and heat treatment are fundamental properties of a quality tool. Usually various alloys are tested to failure then the best performer is chosen. An incorrect choice can lead to early failure or even injury to the user. I can guarantee that the alloy in the Milwaukee bolt cutters is different than the work pro.
@@chiphill4856I'm sure they're different, but the question is how
Heat treatment claims seem to be the hardest to verify
@@drewlop The real proof is in the performance of the tool. An improperly heat treated tool will be brittle or soft, and it will fail.
At the corporate level, the material supplier can be held liable if they are not supplying what they claim and a failure occurs where someone is injured. There are many standardized test protocols used everyday to verify material characteristics, including hardness. For example, Rockwell hardness can be tested by dropping a small heavy sphere onto the material sample and analyzing the dent it makes.
pretty good review of the workpro. i would have appreciated a few test cuts with a couple of the most comparable knipex models on the table though for context/comparison
I use them for low voltage work to cut cables like ground wire and they do pretty good. They are small and compact to keep in my backpack.
I got these for cutting wiring big wire, 12/4 and 12/6 wire. I built service trucks and dump trucks for a few years and the generic wiring kits were never long enough had to splice all of the wiring. Those made quick work of it.
Agreed. I removed the handles and placed them on another tool that I wanted to improve. I gave this set away to a neighbor minus grips.
That did better on the hardened stuff than I would’ve expected. I will stick with my Knipex
Workpro parent company is Greatstar. They also own SK, Shop Vac, Arrow fasteners and Duratech. I would put Workpro on the level of many of the box store house brands. Good review and showing some good ideas of what they can handle.
Try testing it with a bicycle brake wire, its made from steel wire and the 2mm is the standard that people use for testing
I have a set of Red Blue Knipex with a barrel spring and a twist lock, I use them for very large cotter pins to remove them and to cut the tangs off, I also have a set of flush cutters which I use for zip ties only
For each tool like that there is a spec. You need to follow it and try to cut the what it intended for
I ruined a lot of cutters until I realized this!
They make a $20 version of the Knipex cobolt as well. It has the notch to fit things into the bottom of the cutters and everything, same as the Knipex. I’d love to see you review those
My knipex has that notch
Wondering if they can deal with hard wire (like piano wire, or the stuff used for bike brake cable).
Piano wire would have been a good test but bike cable would be a mess. What’s needed there is circular or hex closing jaws to keep the strands bundled while shearing them.
Same manufacturer that makes the Kobalt version. I have the Kobalt version and so far so good! The opening is small however.
Would have been good to see a few cuts from the Knipex for comparison. I've been considering a set of Knipex bolt cutting pliers
I agree, Save your money and buy yourself a good 12-14” pair that will do the work
Aren't you a bike mechanic? Might be good for spokes, footlongs are a bit unwieldy for that. Also some bike cables are a bit much for regular cutters, it works but it's a hassle, and again footlongs are unwieldy for that.
I've one of these cheap chinese cutters in every fishing gear set i own in case a hook lands somewhere it doesnt belog - never used it hopefully never will..
wire cutters not bolt cutters
Safety squints!
copied straight from Fujiya PC11..but couldnt copy the heat treatment
My issue with these smaller bolt cutters are, any decent side cutter would be able to cut what the mini bolt cutter can cut....I just don't see the point of spending money on it.
Waste of a tool
Get the Knipex with notch
Depends on the individual need.
Model number?