Cutting open an oil filter
- Thread starter Zero
- Start date
- Status
The cutter is only $60. A tool with a thin round abrasive cutting wheel also works. Maybe a Dremel or a pneumatic cutting tool, like a muffler cutter.
I use a cheap rotary tool with cut off discs. Works pretty good, a little messy and you get shavings in the filter. There have been posts where hacksaws and chisels were used, even a can opener i believe. I may pick up an exhaust cutter sometime, I think that would work well.
I have gotten pretty good with the hacksaw. Metal shavings will contaminate the internals though.
I use an angle grinder and dont get any metal inside. Just take it slow.
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
Anyone that can cut a filter with a high speed rotary cutting tool and not get shavings onto the element is a better man than me, Gunga-Din!
Filter Cutter
Anyone that can cut a filter with a high speed rotary cutting tool and not get shavings onto the element is a better man than me, Gunga-Din!
Last edited:
A bolt with the same thread as the filter can be used to hold it in place.
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
Yep, you're right. Not much trouble for me as I only have one, well two including the mower, little filters to do (vs 5 big ones).
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
Yep, you're right. Not much trouble for me as I only have one, well two including the mower, little filters to do (vs 5 big ones).
One of the advantage of the cartridge oil filter is you don't need any cutting tool to check contaminants on the filter media. Especially if the cartridge oil filter is mounted on top of the engine, you can easily remove it between OCI to check the filter condition without making a mess.
Originally Posted By: mikered30
Exhaust pipe cutter at harbor freight.
Thats what I use.
Exhaust pipe cutter at harbor freight.
Thats what I use.
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
Yep, you're right. Not much trouble for me as I only have one, well two including the mower, little filters to do (vs 5 big ones).
Ran into that issue too. Addressed it with a chunk of flat stock and nylon rollers. Works fine.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
At the Fram lab they just use big pipe cutters clamped into a vice. I bought the tool from Summit, which is $38 now but was on sale for under $30 when I got it a couple of years ago. Makes a nice clean cut. Very hap with it.
Filter Cutter
I've got that Summit cutter too. Only bad thing about it is with smaller filters, the can of the filter will not ride on the two wheels, but instead rub against the frame area between the two wheels which makes it hard to control the cutting process. The wheels need to be bigger or moved inward closer to accommodate smaller filters.
Yep, you're right. Not much trouble for me as I only have one, well two including the mower, little filters to do (vs 5 big ones).
Ran into that issue too. Addressed it with a chunk of flat stock and nylon rollers. Works fine.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Originally Posted By: linkbelt
Originally Posted By: mikered30
Exhaust pipe cutter at harbor freight.
Thats what I use.
What is the trick to using the pipe cutter? My last two attempts have not been great using it.
Sometimes it does take a little finesse and patience. You have to start with a lighter pressure, circle the filter several times, and keep increasing the pressure as you do so. Because of it's texture, P1's are easier to do. Sometimes you must use a cap wrench to hold the filter while cutting the filter open. But eventually, it will get the job done, just some are easier than others. But, I've found it easier than the Summit cutter which I also have, on < 3" dia. filters. And, the price is right.
Originally Posted By: linkbelt
Originally Posted By: mikered30
Exhaust pipe cutter at harbor freight.
Thats what I use.
What is the trick to using the pipe cutter? My last two attempts have not been great using it.
Sometimes it does take a little finesse and patience. You have to start with a lighter pressure, circle the filter several times, and keep increasing the pressure as you do so. Because of it's texture, P1's are easier to do. Sometimes you must use a cap wrench to hold the filter while cutting the filter open. But eventually, it will get the job done, just some are easier than others. But, I've found it easier than the Summit cutter which I also have, on < 3" dia. filters. And, the price is right.
- Status
