L&H Fibre Needle Cutter

[benjaminh]

I just picked up a L&H fibre needle cutter, but it won't cut all the way too the tip. As you can see from the picture of the freshly cut needle, the cutter only cuts the top corner, and doesn't reach the tip. No matter how you push the needle into the cutter, it won't cut that tip. On examining the cutter, it appears that although the cutter curves slightly away from the at the bottom of it's stroke. Any method of fixing this?

Benjamin

[Roaring20s]

Hello Benamin,

Allow me to think aloud.

First be sure that there is nothing interfering with the blade's "up and down" operation. With nothing in it, look at the blade during the cutting motion. Is it against the front as it descends? According to the supplied photos that operation looks to be fine. You must have Inspected that there's no debris choking proper function. I'll assume also that you placed the same needle in the proper position and after cutting it repeatedly you got the same half cut result. I am going to suggest now, that the "stop" needs to be increased a little. You may find it's easy to achieve by prying it gently with the head of a screwdriver. Try pointing a needle after each tweak.

See if someone else has an alternate suggestion.

James.

[benjaminh]

Hi James,
Nothing interfering with the blade as far as I can tell. What seems to be happening when I look at it, is that the blade descends straight down for the majority of the cut, and then pivots away just a hair at the end of it's stroke, thus not cutting the tip of the needle.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by increasing the "stop"?

Benjamin

[barnettrp21122]

May I jump in, please?
Here is a picture of the cutter opened up. You press down on the assembly with your thumb, and the top swings up over it to show the components.

Check the cutter blade and opposing surface area for any obstructions or damage.

Is the ball and spring assembly present and working? This keeps pressure on the cutting blade during its travels.

Hope this helps!
Bob

[gramophone78]

Just to add....some of these L&H cutters are constructed differently. So, here is another variation.
Opening is the same, as is the principal. These are not ideal cutters and I would recommend investing in a Victor cutter.

[benjaminh]

Thanks for your help! Those pictures really helped, I wasn't sure how this thing opened.

[benjaminh]

I just opened up the cutter, and notice that there was a small nick on the cutter. I sharpened it on the grinder, and then honed it on a strop charged with rouge. I loosened the cutter head, and slid it as far back as it would go. It now cuts excellently, makes a perfect tip with no splintering. Thanks guys!

Benjamin

[barnettrp21122]

Good! Thanks for letting us know!
Bob

[OrthoSean]

That's great. I have several cutters, including a couple of Victors. I prefer the L&H ones over any others because they take very little off to make a new sharp point. The Victor cutters take a LOT more off and to me, waste a good bit IMO.

Sean

[need4art]

That's interesting I have had one of the L&H cutters for some time and never gotten to get it to work properly. But guess what I am missing the spring and ball assembly. The Ball looks like it could be made from a bit of rod with the end rounded off. Could I get a length measurement/ The spring well length would help and does the ball-rod sit inside or on top and how strong is the spring.

Thx Abe