Do you think a cordless Dremel tool with a diamond cutoff attachment would work well for cutting 1 x1 galvanized wire? I'm trying to make it easier. After a while the hands start to get a work out...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_44852-353-2352-01_4294857538_4294937087_?productId=1087159&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Specialty%2BPower%2BTools_4294857538_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

long link but these are the little shears we use on hardware cloth and the like, not sure what gauge your 1 inch is, maybe too tough for these, love them though

Maybe a corded dremel, but with the Reinforced cut off wheel only!

I use an Air Sheers but had to get a very large tank...

Throatless shear

They make a brake/shear that cuts that stuff... cant find the link.......

we use Milwaukee model 6852 shears have been for 25 years.

Me too Bob, no complaints other than cordless stuff has me spoiled. Milwaukee makes a quality shear.

Diamond cutters are for extremely hard material, and generally if used on soft material, the diamond dust will be stripped off the holder.

About the brake/shear mentioned by Bud.

Klubertanz sells a shear for welded wire that cuts up to 12 ga. They also have several other shears including the Miwaukee shear mentioned earlier. As to the cordless shears such as DeWalt 18 volt, only good for small jobs, eats batteries.
Harbor Freight sells an economy shear for about $50 but it's not the tool the Milwaukee shear is.

Bob, How does that work on 14 guage wire?

All of our wire is 16 ga. that we work with. But I am sure it will cut 14ga.also, but the life of the blade may be less with constant use on the heavier wire grid.I have never changed blades out yet. We have two shears and it seems the cord wears out faster then the blades do.

think i've got shear envy fellas, gotta go get one of those!

justin

If you're not cutting all day long, a good pair of diagonal cutters do fine.

Diagonal cutters leave a small stub on the wire. I have not found any that will cut smooth. If you know of any that will cut smooth and not break up my hand, I would like to know about them.

Check out Flush cutting wire cutter. Basically a heavy diagional cutter that has been flush ground on the cutting side. They do cut fairly close but I still knock off the sharp edge with a file or sand paper. You could do it yourself and save a couple of $$$.

And the worst part is that when you get as old as Jim and Ron and I, you can't even feel it and when you see the blood you're not sure where or when you cut yourself.

If I angle the "dikes" right, there is no spike. Don't try this with a cheap pair.

Cuting over 100 ft a day of 1/2 x 1 14 guage wire geats real old real fast.

Takes the fun right out of trap building. Doesn't it, Jim!

I thought about getting a sheet metal shear; that would work, wouldn't it?

Had a couple. Only good for about 1/2 roll of wire, then the cutters break. At least on the ones I had.

Here's a link(I hope) to Klubertanz supply page showing the cuuters they sell.
http://klubertanz.com/images/Klubertanz_Pg10.pdf
I currently use the Milwaukee shear, but I am not in the cage building business and not cutting multiple rolls of wire.

This is the model I have in my shop. I am not a cage builder but I use this thing prolly twice a week and I've had the same one for over 3 years, I have had to replace the jaws once and they are getting close to needing replaced again. They go on sale all of the time for $35 replacement jaws are about $12 i think.

And this is the shear I keep on my truck. It chucks into my cordless drill and cuts like beast. Especially usefull on triangle gable end vents!!

Boy, I like that Malco TurboShear. Malco makes some very, very good tools. What's it run - coupla hundred bucks? Tell us more about it!

Home Depot- Malco Turbo Shear According to the ad, $49.95 locally.

That malco turboshear will cut hardware cloth on any angle. makes triangle vents cake. no more trimming to fit with side cuts. just cut the wire to length, tack into place and cut the angles in place.

You can make regular diagonal cutters into flush cut by carefully grinding down the back of the cutter until bevel is gone. Keep the steel cool by dipping it or just go real slow so you don't loose the temper in the steel. I could have purchased a set for flush cutting but I was too cheap and just modified a spare pair that I had.