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[TowerTalk] EHS Question

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] EHS Question
From: notawc@juno.com (notawc@juno.com)
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 11:21:15 -0400


On Tue, 27 Apr 1999 02:24:22 -0400 Steve Maki <steve@oakcom.com> writes:
> 
> Tom Rauch wrote:
> 
> > I cut EHS steel strand all the time, and all I use are a good set 
> of
> > bolt cutters. Snip, and the end looks fine! Never a problem, and I
> > use the same bolt cutters for years before tossing them out.
> > 
> > When I read about cutting wheels, plasma torches, and everything
> > else I wonder what kind of bolt cutters people are trying to 
> use???
> > 
> > And yes, the cable I cut is EHS steel. Been cutting it since 1970,
> > and never a problem even with 5/16" .
> 
> The only thing better, IMO, than good bolt cutters is good cable
> cutters. Makes sense, eh?  Good cable cutters have one straight
> and one curved cutting surface, and use a bypass shear type action,
> rather than the anvil type cut of a bolt cutter.
> 
> In practice, the only real advantage of the the pretty cut that
> results from the cable cutter is that nicopress sleeves can be
> slipped over the end very easily - not so with a cut made by a
> bolt cutter.  If your termination method is anything other than
> sleeves, you might as well use the cheaper bolt cutters.
>

Not correct or maybe there is a confusion with terminology.

Cable cutters as by your description are not used on guy wire to my
knowledge in CATV. They are used by electricians and others for softer
materials such as hardrawn copper, aluminum entrance cable and similar.
Porter # 0290FCS for instance.

Instead a Center Cut Bolt Clipper is the tool of choice.
The one most specified in the CATV industry for EHS strand is the
H.K.Porter model #0190MC which is applicable up to 5/16" EHS. The # 0090
is good thru 1/4" EHS.
The design features the cutting edge in the center of the blades with an
equal bevel on either side which permits clean cuts ready for what ever
dressing is required.
The jaw blade assemblies are replaceable and the tool that was passed to
me thru 3 generations ( Bought new by my great uncle who was a fireman)
uses the same blades as the current model which features a smoother grip.

Cheap import bolt cutters have been known to shatter in field use and are
banned on many crews.
Cable crews have a high turnover and tools are often available for a song
or a case of beer. 

> OTOH, cable cutters work on aircraft cable (wire rope) also.
> 
> Grinding wheels?  Hammer and chisel?  Yikes!
> 
> 73, Steve K8LX
> 
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