Stanley Max Steel Cable Cutters 215MM 0 89 874, Black/Yellow

I purchased these Stanley FatMax steel wire cutters for use in my electrical business for quickly cutting small XLPESWA 4mm 3 core cables rather than using a hack saw, as any one that has tried to cut small cables of this type with a hacksaw can verify it is not easy. I have previously been cutting them with a set of cutters that I generally use for cutting large single copper cables, but to be honest I am not as strong as I used to be and my hands are starting to complain in the form of really sore joints.I was in my local electrical wholesalers prior to me purchasing these cutters and I queried what the price of a pair of cutters was to cut XLPESWA 4mm 3 core cable, the only pair they had was in excess of the £49 + VAT bracket, but to be fair they were a pair of ratchet type. However on getting home I found these on Amazon and ordered them.I have found that they cut the cable effortlessly without putting strain on my hands as the long handles help reduce the strain on your hands, at the same time the way the cutting jaws have been designed facilitates an easy cutting of large cables, I have cut many XLPESWA cables and also large single core copper tails up to 35mm and to be honest they cut through these like butter.These Stanley FatMax cutters are a very good buy as they do what they say on the box as it were, I have not cut any pure steel with them, but as I have said I purchased them to quickly cut XLPESWA cable, yes the SWA refers to Steel Wire Armour, but to be fair the armour in these cables is not pure steel, it is more an alloy mix, so I cannot rate them as good steel cutters. I can however recommend them as a very good cutting tool within the scope that I use them for and considering that I am cutting through 3 core armoured cable with a diameter of approximately 15mm and they are very capable at doing this quite easily, then I would say they are excellent at what they do.At the same time the price of these cutters is very good value for money at just under the £14 mark and delivered free of charge, well I don't think you can go wrong, a highly recommended set of cutters.

Excellent cutters. Been using them to consistently go through 16mm^2 Tri-Rated RS Copper Cable (RS 628-5370) and it's like a knife through butter.Not only do they do it and leave a nice enough end to the cable (No loose/damaged cores or varying lengths) but they do it so easily I found I was able to do it using a single finger and thumb.Haven't noticed any damage to the blade, though I did notice there was some very slight discolouration and rust on some of the polished metal surfaces, but that's because I work in a humid enviroment and didn't oil them at all so what can ya do.

the cutting end is fat max style and they do the job perfectly, the insulated handles are a bit on the thin side and not the usual fat max style.

Worth this price

At no point can I find a list of what diameter or type of wire these are rated for, but judging from the style and size I would assume soft metal, Aluminium or Copper, and not hardened steel. I bought these for electrical work, so it doesn't matter, but more information on the manufacturers web site wouldn't go amiss (Stanley take note)

I was very unimpressed with these cutters. Stanley is a famous name and these cutters do not do justice to the name. I cut two pieces of wire, each left a substantial mark on the cutting blades. I then retured them as being unsatisfactory.

I bought this tool as a cheap alternative to the professional cutters used for cutting braided automotive hose. I have to say they make very light work of cutting through the braids (something my hacksaw just choked up on) and appear to be very well made. So far they have been used on AN6 (14mm O/D) hose and coped easily. Next project which is a few weeks away is to use them on the slightly bigger AN8 size but I am confident they will cope.

So far these have only seen very light use. Soon they shall be used for heavier duty cable cutting (16mm sq) so shall see it they manage the job. If they do not then I shall be 'binning' them - and to be honest, & reading others experience, and feeling their quality, I am not totally convinced they shall survive . What is going on with Stanley - everything being made in the Far East? What has happened to quality?