MIG Pliers not cutting wire

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I really have to bite down hard and wiggle my pliers to cut any wire. What can I use to sharpen my MIG pliers?
Reply:Probably a job for another shipping spree. If they are similar to Welpers, the cutting edges can be dressed, but you'll end up with a gap between the edges unless you also grind away at the remaining contact surfaces of the pliers. If, on the other hand, they are a simple set of dykes, just hone the two cutting edges and have at it.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Diamond needle files from Harbor Freight work goodBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Get a new pair of pliers.  Sometimes the cutting edges of the wire snip portions are out of wack.
Reply:I was thinking of using a file since it will be hard to get anything close enough to the edges?  I only paid $13 for my pliers, but I won't pay anything extravagant just for MIG pliers.  What's a good brand? Besides Harbor Freight.
Reply:I have owned a pair of HF MIG pliers for years.  they work good as the day I got them.  You have to search through the rack to check each pair for proper jaw alignment and that no light gets through between the cutting edges though.  I also have a pair of Whelpers MIG pliers that are made in Japan.  definitely can see a quality difference in the way the jaws and ends line up as well as better grooving on the parts that grab the nozzles. tips etc..   both jaws are the same diameter.   often the HF ones have a thin jaw and a much thicker jawIf you want a really good set of Dykes get some Knipex brand ones..  Best I have ever owned.  including Tool Truck brands.   About the only way you can screw up a jaw on them is cutting through live AC electrical wires.  Ask me how I know that...Last edited by soutthpaw; 10-05-2012 at 07:32 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by mb_welderGet a new pair of pliers. Sometimes the cutting edges of the wire snip portions are out of wack.
Reply:Hit the garage sales this weekend. A good "Picker" will have 3-4 sets by Sunday afternoon... Maybe find some other good stuff at the same time.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:If you find ones with blue plastic handles and the are etched with "welper" and "made in japan" you've found the real McCoy.....just don't ask how much they are or you might hang them back on the peg.SP,my Dad blew a hole through a pair of brand new Snap On side cutters.....even after I asked him if he had checked the circuit....Father knows best
Reply:Here's Welpers for $21.http://weldwarehouse.securesites.net...WH:1:100=YS-50"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:You can just lay a piece of hard spring steel wire on both of the cutting edges and weld them on with tig.Being carbon steel the spring wire will be hard once you quench it, and you can then grind the edges to reform them as they originally were.....temper to light straw to stop them from splitting and cracking off.Ian.
Reply:For my use (which might not be typical), I've never seen the advantage to the welpers style tool.  I have a pair, but I've also got a small pair of mini snips and a regular pair of pliers on the cart.  It's as easy to carry two tools as one, with a cart.Not sure what the term for them is, so here's a picture.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by Tat2dHandzI really have to bite down hard and wiggle my pliers to cut any wire. What can I use to sharpen my MIG pliers?
Reply:Fark, pull your wallet out your arse and buy a new pair.
Reply:I have a pair of welpers that I have used for years.  I also have a couple pairs of profax "mig pliers" that work as good as the welpers.
Reply:Just buy a pair of the welpers and you will get your money's worth out of them. I've had the same pair for about 11 years. Sometimes saving money by being cheap isn't worth it.Miller Bobcat 250Westinghouse ac arc welderIts better to be hated for who you are than liked for who your not.
Reply:I found a store that carries Welpers. Wow, for the extra $25 they're worth every penny. I immediately noticed the difference between the Welpers and my previous pliers.  Thanks for the help!
Reply:Saw that Home depot is carrying a Lincoln branded whelpers that are made in China of course.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I went through a bunch of those mig pliers before I bought a pair of welpers.  They have actually saved me money because I haven't had to buy a pair in 5 years.
Reply:Maybe I'm missing something here. Are we just talking about cutting the stickout back when its a bit too long?I used whatever pair of cutting pliers I found first, but now I have an old pair of linesmans pliers I keep on the table. Use them to snip off tungsten casualties too, only .040 and 1/16" though.I never really gave it a thought, I'm using plain old steel mig wire, forget which.Maybe it matters more with Al or SS wire?Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:I have a cheap pair of mig pliers, and they never cut right. The jaws do not align correctly.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:My hammer misses the nail about half the time. "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Welpers do so much more than just cut wire.  I use mine for cleaning the nozzle more than anything.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I use Channelock Needle nose, have for years, they slide rite out of the pocket on the side of my carhartts every time. I am guessing i have at least 6 of them. Plus as soon as i break them, i get em warrantied and go on with life, Welpers have no warranty. I have never liked them myself.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:I use a pair of diagonal cutters for the wire and a 1/2" copper tubing brush for cleaning the nozzle.