Shears or pliers for solder.

[Misslucy]

Hi - I've decided I need some better shears for cutting my hard solder paillons as mine are old and rubbish now! I don't know whether to try the solder pliers that Cooksongold have with the yellow handles. Do they cut well? Or don't know whether to go for some shears instead, although there are a few different options to choose from so I'm not sure what are the best quality. I just want something that cuts really well as I don't roll my solder strips before cutting them as I haven't got a rolling mill. What does anyone else use to cut their solder? Thank you.

[Goldsmith]

I use standard metal shears, but when cutting hard solder pallions I saw pierce down the strip first so that I get nice flat pallions.

11518

James

[Misslucy]

They look nice and neat for sure! I hadn't thought about saw piercing first - I've just used my shears to nip in 3 or 4 parallel cuts and then snip across those to make my little pieces, but the narrow strips do tend to curl up when I cut with my rubbish shears, so perhaps I should saw pierce instead and invest in some high quality shears instead. Mine are ancient now and are chewing up the solder so they've had it. I was tempted to try the solder pliers, but I didn't want to waste money on them if they aren't so good.

[Goldsmith]

These are my solder cutting shears, I have had them for many years, they are similar to these cheapies ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Straight-Jewellers-Cutters-17-5cm-Postage/dp/B00AQV1GRY/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1534013693&sr=8-30&keywords=metal+shears+snips

11523

James

[Dennis]

Yes, get what James recommends. The pliers you mention will drive you mad if you need more than one or two pallions.

I have also taken to piercing strips first, as James has shown, for much neater pallions. Dennis.

[Misslucy]

Thanks both. :-) Funnily enough those are exactly the type I have. Although I bought them 22 years ago when I started my silversmithing course. I sharpened them a bit and tightened the screw as they seemed 'loose' but they still seem to be chewing up my solder so I thought perhaps it was time for some more and that it would be worth investing in some swanky ones instead. Although you seem to be doing well with yours. Perhaps I just need a new pair of the same like you have and I'll be fine if I saw pierce my solder strips first. I don't think I'll bother with the pliers then Dennis - thank you for your advice. :-)

[Misslucy]

Actually those Amazon ones do look better than mine, even though they are virtually the same and certainly worth a try at that price!

[handmadeblanks]

I use side cutters because unlike shears, the cutting blades of side cutters come together and give a neater cut, much less likely to chew.

My 2p worth...I am not a professional...still a novice...

[Misslucy]

Good idea. :-) I'll give it a go.

[china]

I use shears as in Jame's photo Gilbow Jewellers shears 7"(Sheffield) they belonged to my father, they still cut like new, all shears will tend to curl the cuts, more noticeable on narrow strips just flatten with a hammer

[CJ57]

I had to buy new shears from Cookson recently pretty much like James’s. they have a spring which I don’t particularly like but are so sharp they would cut paper. https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/French-Straight-Shear-Sprung-prcode-997-3033&query=Shears&channel=uk
I’ve never rolled my solder, I did once and then couldn’t judge how much I needed so just cut up the middle of hard solder sometimes 3 times and snip off pallions

[Paul Kay]

I use standard metal shears, but when cutting hard solder pallions I saw pierce down the strip first so that I get nice flat pallions.

11518

James

Doh! #-o#-o Just tried it. That needs to be the #1 tip in every book and video where soldering is concerned. Thank you, thank you, triple thank you, James

[Misslucy]

Thank you for your suggestions. :-) I always find it a minefield when trying to decide on new tools (or replacing old ones) as there's so much choice. I wonder sometimes whether it's best to spend more or whether that's not strictly necessary to get good quality. I was tempted to buy some Gilbow shears but they'll be getting on for £30 so perhaps a cheaper pair will be just as good for what I need.

[ps_bond]

Many tool suppliers exist to part you with your hard-earned. There's a huge difference between what is the essential tool for the job and what is nice to have.
FWIW - Gilbows here too. I've got some larger old ones I picked up second-hand that are fantastic too - they keep on performing.

[Dennis]

You need to be able to cut really small pallions and guard them with your index finger, so that they can be deposited safely into a dish.

This means that the smallest slimmest ones that are up to the job is what to choose. Shears are easy to re sharpen with a fine cut file, although they dont need that very often.
If the screw becomes loose, it can bet tightened and set by tapping with a hammer on a steel block.

Side cutters might do the job initially, but when they become blunt or snagged, there is little leeway for sharpening, before they cease to meet. Hardened cutters such as Mauns are too clumsy for this. Dennis.

[JewelleryByMandy]

I use standard metal shears, but when cutting hard solder pallions I saw pierce down the strip first so that I get nice flat pallions.

11518

James

Ooo look at that nice neat saw line [emoji7]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snorkmaiden]

I favour the Xuron scissor cutters - very easy to cut lots of small pallions - and as good as when I bought them several years ago. Bought these very early on after trying the college traditional shears which were useless.

[-Sally-]

I use solder wire and cut it with wire cutters - I've found it a lot easier and quicker to deal with than strips.
Sally

[Dennis]

Argentium solder comes as wire too; no choice. The problem is that its easily mixed up and difficult to identity then. Dennis.

[-Sally-]

I keep the main pieces in marked ziplock bags and the chopped up bits in marked contact lens cases - as long as I don't have two coils out at any one time to chop up - I'm okay!

[swageblock]

I always put Ag solder through rolling mills to make a thinner section [0.2mm].Cut pallions with standard jewellers shears .Seems to have worked for the past 40 years!

[ps_bond]

Not sure if I end up with mine quite as thin as 0.2mm, but other than that same here (OK, so I'm not at 40 years yet either!).

[CJ57]

We weren’t taught to roll ours down 40years ago and the one time recently where I did I could not judge how much I needed so I’ll stick with what I know and what works for me.