![[-]](https://theultimatetone.com/images/collapse.png "[-]")
05-04-2026, 01:19 PM
Hi Guys
With the very close spacing of the solder pads on many of the kit PCBs, it is almost a MUST that the assembler uses FLUSH CUT lead trimmers, as shown in the photo.
When you install a component, you should splay the leads then flush cut them, or slightly cant the cutter heads 1mm up from the board surface. Either way, when you make the cut the component should not fall out when you set down the board to solder. The actual flush cut leads may seem a bit scary to do, but you can make a nice solder connection.
With the 1mm canted cut there is a small protrusion of the leads and this will seem more "normal" to most hobbyists and techs.
In any case, the point is to have solder connections that do not have long points. You can alternatively do the shallow canted joint, or something more usual to your experience, then trim the points off. You may have to retouch a joint after trimming this way, and if you do, retouch only one connection at a time, wait a second or two before doing the second lead of the same component.
In the photo, there are three models of cutter shown. I use the YTH-23 which has the shallowest angle. You may prefer the more angled versions, and it certainly does not hurt to have all three in your tool drawer. These are from Aliexpress, but you can buy similar from domestic suppliers. try to buy something that looks as close to these as possible, as there are a lot of "flush" cutters that cannot make a flush cut, and are more generic wire cutters.
Having the right tool for the job makes life a lot easier
Have fun
With the very close spacing of the solder pads on many of the kit PCBs, it is almost a MUST that the assembler uses FLUSH CUT lead trimmers, as shown in the photo.
When you install a component, you should splay the leads then flush cut them, or slightly cant the cutter heads 1mm up from the board surface. Either way, when you make the cut the component should not fall out when you set down the board to solder. The actual flush cut leads may seem a bit scary to do, but you can make a nice solder connection.
With the 1mm canted cut there is a small protrusion of the leads and this will seem more "normal" to most hobbyists and techs.
In any case, the point is to have solder connections that do not have long points. You can alternatively do the shallow canted joint, or something more usual to your experience, then trim the points off. You may have to retouch a joint after trimming this way, and if you do, retouch only one connection at a time, wait a second or two before doing the second lead of the same component.
In the photo, there are three models of cutter shown. I use the YTH-23 which has the shallowest angle. You may prefer the more angled versions, and it certainly does not hurt to have all three in your tool drawer. These are from Aliexpress, but you can buy similar from domestic suppliers. try to buy something that looks as close to these as possible, as there are a lot of "flush" cutters that cannot make a flush cut, and are more generic wire cutters.
Having the right tool for the job makes life a lot easier
Have fun
