Power Pliers cutters got deformed.

[mtool78]

Short briefing: I was trying to unscrew rusty screw from our fence with my cordless drill when head of that screw deformed badly. I thought that I'll just cut that screw hand hammer the rest of it down - I have no idea what kind of a steel that screw was but because of it's position I couldn't apply enough force to cut with my Power Pliers. After some trying i noticed that pliers wont close as they should, cutting part was deformed so it was jammed.

Obviously that task was too much for PP - screw was actually quite small but maybe it was more hardened than normal ones. Problem is that getting a new pliers head is pretty expensive because of shipping so I tried to fix that with with diamond file. It's a bit better already but still it's no way near of smooth - I have to open it with both hands and of course cutting is more difficult than what it was.

Has anyone else had same kind of a problem? 

[David]

Sorry to hear your cutters deformed. I have not had this problem but have not cut any thing tougher than wire with mine. I dont think a small screw should hurt it unless it is a hardened steel of some sort.

[Zed]

was the screw thick and was you using the wire cutters ? ive had this with wirecutters when trying to cut stuff too thick and im carefull now with what i cut 

[mtool78]

was the screw thick and was you using the wire cutters ? ive had this with wirecutters when trying to cut stuff too thick and im carefull now with what i cut 

That screw was actually ridiculously thin but it had to to be some sort of a kryptonite.. now after some patience and more diamond file pliers are working quite nicely - had to be careful not to remove too much material from cutters. I guess I'll be little bit shy to use them next time with force - that compound leverage system seems to be able to deliver more power than cutters can handle. Removable LM/Gerber-style cutters would be nice feature for such a powerful tool. 

[Zed]

was the screw thick and was you using the wire cutters ? ive had this with wirecutters when trying to cut stuff too thick and im carefull now with what i cut 

That screw was actually ridiculously thin but it had to to be some sort of a kryptonite.. now after some patience and more diamond file pliers are working quite nicely - had to be careful not to remove too much material from cutters. I guess I'll be little bit shy to use them next time with force - that compound leverage system seems to be able to deliver more power than cutters can handle. Removable LM/Gerber-style cutters would be nice feature for such a powerful tool. 

I agree about the removable cutters as also makes it easy to sharpen 

[Jors]

You can order a new set of pliers heads for a nominal fee from SOG. Last time I heard it was for $10-00. It may be slightly more by now. Will have your tool new in no time.

[mtool78]

You can order a new set of pliers heads for a nominal fee from SOG. Last time I heard it was for $10-00. It may be slightly more by now. Will have your tool new in no time.

That would be my choice but afaik they don't do international shipping. (..probably cost of shipping would double the price of pliers head)

[batrev]

 Same thing happened to me today with my powerlock. Mabe its the steel they use?

[jzmtl]

Most of the MT pliers are made of some sort of 420 stainless, which is one of the softer ones. I really think it should be restricted to use on non-ferrous metal and perhaps paper clips at most.

Also I think many nails and screws are heat treated, even with a side cutter it's difficult enough to cut through them, I now use a small bolt cutter.

[mtool78]

...I've been thinking to get a adjustable automatic steel center punch - that would be nice tool to compare hardness of pliers heads?