We buy new cables that have tinned (soldered) ends. Then clip them to length afterwards. You don't need a beefy cutter, just a sharp one. I use a pair of Craftsman dikes to cut the cable housing. A pair of Channel lock dikes would be plenty sharp to cut the cable. Bike shops sell inexpensive cable cutters for $20- $30.
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...-cable-housing