Bicycle Mechanics - cable cutting tip

Broke my rear derailleur cable yesterday. Bought a new cable at the LBS and proceded to the hardware store to buy cable cutters. Went to two stores and no luck. Went home and tried several types of cutters on the old cable with no luck. Then tried my dremel tool. Worked like a charm! Made several practice cuts on cables and housings. All worked perfectly. So if you don't have cable cutters but have a dremel, your in business. Just thought I'd share my new-found knowledge. :)

I have both cable cutters and a dremel, but I was wondering, did you have to put tension on the cable to cut it or did you just cut it limp?

I just held the cable about an inch above where I made the cut. Rested both hands on the workbench to steady them. I also had the dremel on high speed.

You may want to email your suggested application to Dremel. They might send you a discount coupon for discs, bits, or other attachments. (My alltime favourite Dremel application was cutting off my fiberglass forearm cast, since my 3-week "anniverary" fell on Thanksgiving Day. I really confused the staff in my orthopedist's office when I showed up the following week for cast removal!)

Well I took your advise and went to Dremel's site. And look what I found. :)
http://www.dremel.com/projectsdisplay/Display.asp?ID=55

Looking at the vise they suggest you use... $35.00???

And looking at a pair of Park Cable cutters... $34.00 Canadian...

Hmmmm....

Go to home depot, buy a pair of "Klein" Pliers, not Channel lock, not anything else, I use mine 5 days a week.. they work, trus me, and lsee likely to "give yourself a manicure" ... if you know what I mean...
They have royal or lighter blue handles, designed for cutting hardend steel.
Just my opinion...

I am a new rider and want to rebuild and old bike. I have an old Univega Viva Sport that had a Shimano SIS derailleur and Dia compe side pull front brakes, which I now need to replace.

Can I use standard parts or do I need to go to a special dealer…I am not a bike guy so I don’t know of much tech details when it comes to parts/standards etc.

Any help would be appreciated…

John
:)

If you don"t know the basic bike repairs, your better off to bring the bike to your local bike Store, this way you'll minimize the damage if you do it yourself....