best way to cut tines, please share

[tmusicnyc]

so what is your favorite way to cut a tine? anything that works especially well? i use a small hacksaw and a file, but i don't always have good results. sometimes, i get bad sustain or weird harmonics. should the tine be perfectly squared at the end or should you sand/file a bit to take the sharp edges off? share your opinion.

[james]

The hacksaw method isn't exactly the friendliest way to do it...I've been using a pair of linesman's/journeyman's pliers like these for a few years now:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1340676

I imagine a bolt cutter would work about as well.  I've found that the pliers are easier to grip, and they cut the tine fairly evenly.

[dnarkosis]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one also should cut the tine off at a right angle rather than with an oblique angle on the end, i.e., with a straight cut -- to minimize vibration anomalies in connection with the pickup. At least I think that's how it works.

[hrees]

The tine must be square at the end for the best tone production, especially in the upper mid range. I use a grinding attatchment on an electric drill. Far quicker than filing.