“Proudly Forged On The Home Front” is the slogan for the new Southwire Made In America line of electricians’ hand tools. The new program addresses customer requests for a line of American-made pliers and wire strippers. While Southwire has traditionally focused its cable and wire manufacturing from the States, this new line of hand tools kicks off the company’s effort to expand the manufacturing of hand tools to the USA as well.
The new lineup includes cable cutters, pliers, crimpers, and wire strippers. Southwire designed their new tools to withstand jobsite wear and tear, forging this new lineup from American steel. The pliers and cutters feature hot rivets, hand-sharpened blades, drop-forged steel, and induction hardening. The wire strippers utilize heat-treated steel and feature double-dipped handles for a more comfortable grip.
The Southwire Story
Southwire Tools, founded in Carrollton, GA, in 1950, has a rich tradition as an American tool manufacturer and supplier. As the company has grown over the years, they have expanded to multiple nationwide facilities, and they now employ over 7,000 Americans. Southwire has continued to produce most of its cable and wire from these American facilities, as well as most of its extension cord and contractor equipment.
With the launch of the Made In America Series of tools, Southwire looks to extend its commitment to US manufacturing efforts. They are also currently working on new development projects that will see an expansion of their Made In America line. While it will take some time before all of Southwire’s tools are made in the States, the company does have plans to work in that direction. In the meantime, Southwire will continue to offer both a domestic and an import line of tools.
Southwire Made In America Electrician’s Tools Features
The Southwire Made in America line of pliers, cutters, and crimpers all feature hot rivet technology. As opposed to the traditional cold rivet, hot riveting joins pliers by using heat induction. This allows for a flush joining of the two pieces, as well as a long, smooth action when opening and closing the pliers.
All of the made in the USA pliers get hand filed and tested at the factory. After the forging process, each plier gets filed down to a precise angle. The tool then gets thoroughly inspected and tested for heavy-duty cut capabilities.
Drop forging takes red hot steel and forms it using a hydraulic press. This pressing process removes any fissures and air bubbles in the steel. If you’ve ever taken a close look at cast metals, you’ll understand the difference, and why drop-forged steel makes for a higher-quality tool.
The entire Made in America lineup features induction-hardened blades. In order to achieve the optimal level of durability and hardness, the cutting surfaces of the new tools are heat treated and quenched.
Likewise, Southwire Made In America Wire Strippers feature heat-treated steel and precision cutting blades. They also come with double-dipped handles and a serrated nose to help pull and twist wires.
Southwire covers their new Made In America pliers series with a no-hassle, lifetime warranty. The wire strippers come with a no-hassle, 2-Year warranty.
The Southwire Made In America Line
CCP9D-US 9″ Cable Cutter
- Made from American forged steel for durability
- Cuts up to 4/0 AWG aluminum, 2/0 AWG copper, and 100-pair 24 AWG communications cable
- Induction hardened blades for maximum durability
- Dipped handles for comfort
SCP9TPCD-US 9″ Side Cutting Plier
- Made from American forged steel for durability
- Hot-riveted joint for smooth, sturdy action
- High-leverage design provides maximum cutting power
- Induction hardened cutting blades ensure efficient and lasting cutting surfaces for hard and soft wire
- Features a crimper, fish tape puller, and reaming head for added versatility
TCC9D-US 9″ Terminal Crimper Cutter
- Made from American forged steel for durability
- Crimps insulated and non-insulated terminals and connectors
- Specially hardened wire cutter in nose
- Tapered nose for working in confined spaces
DCPA8D-US 8″ Diagonal Cutting Plier
- Made from American forged steel for durability
- Hot-riveted pivot joint for smooth, sturdy action
- Effectively cuts most hardened wire, ACSR, bolts, screws, and nails
- High-leverage design provides maximum cutting power
- Angled head allows for easy work in confined spaces
S1020S0L-US Compact Wire Stripper
- Made from durable, heat-treated steel for longer life
- Strips and cuts up to 10-20 AWG solid and 12-22 AWG solid wire
- Double-dipped grip
- Serrated nose holds cable for easy twisting and pulling
- Spring-loaded for self-opening action
- Not intended for cutting bolts or steel wire
S1018S0L-US Ergo Wire Stripper
- Made from durable, heat-treated steel for longer life
- Strips and cuts 10-18 AWG solid and 12-20AWG stranded wire
- Double-dipped grip
- Shears 8-32 and 6-32 screws
- Precision, shear-type cutting blades for easier cutting
- Not designed for cutting steel wire
