has anyone tried this tool??? is it worth the over $500 price tag? I see some suppliers charging over $800 for this item. seems a little rediculous to me. i would love to try it out though.

link below to ideal's site for this tool. http://www.idealindustries.com/ht/CableCutters.nsf

I would say it depends on how much big copper you work with.

30" cable cutters don't fit well in switch gear and cost about $130



Greenlee's larger hand powered ratchet cutters work good and fit in small spaces but cost more than $300



We have a Greenlee battery powered cable cutter called a 'Gator', you can't beat it.

It fits in small spaces and it has cut any cable(s) I can fit in the large jaw



The Gator costs a over $2,000 new.

So IMO that Ideal tool is not that bad of a deal.



[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 09-25-2006).]

In most cabinets that you would need large wire in there will be enough to wrestle outside of the cabinet, or disco. Then with an extra set of hands.... Hit it with the bandsaw! <$300! Cuts any cable from #2 -1000MCM+, even 4 at a time! Has many other uses too, like cutting the conduit the wire is in as well.


Then there is the old favorite stand-by method: Hacksaw! It only takes a minute or two of standing there tapping your foot while the Apprentice wails away at it.... (Really, it aint hard, and pretty quick. But why miss an opprotunity to say, "Come on - Move!" while I pour myself coffee.)


(Not for live work though, but I'm sure no one would be that silly, but threw the disclaimer here for stupid people.)

...like copper thieves.

Mark I am certainly not above using a band saw, in fact it is my tool of choice for cutting conduits containing conductors. I keep the deep cut model you show in my truck at all times....much to the disappointment of our shop tool guy.

A sawzall with a wood blade also makes quick work of copper and aluminum conductors.

I do disagree that you can usually wrestle the conductors out in the open.

I do a lot of feeds with parallel 500 and 600 copper where space is tight once you land the first few.

The most 'bang for the buck' IMO is the 764 ratchet cutter.

We also have hydraulic cable benders not something everyone needs but when you do you will be glad you have it.



Like I said it all depends on how much of your work involves large conductors.

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 09-26-2006).]

I love my gator. It is great to cut and crimp with one tool.

But I wish there was a insulating boot to put over the end.

thanks everyone. just finished landing 3000A service with 8 parallel 750kcmill aluminum. we only had the availability of the standard 30" cable cutters, but it went pretty fast. definately wished for a battery model at about the 8th cable though.

thanks again.