Most practical tool for cutting oil filters

[rationull]

I'm on my second OCI with the same oil filter (per manufacturer recommendation) and as part of the deal for letting myself follow that recommendation I'm planning to cut the filter open, look at it, and post pictures to see how it looks. Obviously this means I'll need something capable of cutting it open.

Now, I'm not necessarily planning on cutting a bunch of filters so I'd rather not spend a chunk of change on a single purpose filter cutting tool. I can't think of anything I have right now that would be very capable of it -- I tried it with a hack saw a while back and it didn't work very well.

What can I get that will smoothly cut open oil filters but also be useful elsewhere? A dremel seems like an obvious choice but it seems like it would create shavings that would contaminate the filter.

Am I just going to have to get a filter cutter?

 

[crinkles]

vice grip and hacksaw

 

[Shannow]

Cold chisel

 

[crinkles]

*head bangs*

 

[REDDOG]

I bought the filter cutter from Summit racing after discovering it was cheaper than other means. (Let's face it, if I had to do one more with a hacksaw it wouldn't be happening.). It was forty bucks and I have never regretted the purchase. It's very quick and neat.

I've done every used filter I could get my hands on (probably 100) and it still works well. The key I found is to use very light pressure while cutting. It won't take long to get the hang of it and it takes about 1 min.

It has helped me decide which filters to avoid(I'm talking media failures here, not the way a filter is constructed), and it's a cheap source of entertainment.

 

[IntegraVT]

Originally Posted By: REDDOG
I bought the filter cutter from Summit racing after discovering it was cheaper than other means. (Let's face it, if I had to do one more with a hacksaw it wouldn't be happening.). It was forty bucks and I have never regretted the purchase. It's very quick and neat.


I totally agree. After fighting with a hacksaw and going through Dremel discs for the first couple of filters I finally broke down and got the Summit cutter and have not looked back. I'd say short of a lathe or air tools, it's the way to go... PN:SUM-900510.

 

[TallPaul]

I made the mistake of buying a huge pipe cutter that would fit the filter. Sucks. Tends to crease the canister rather than cut as the pipe cutter is made for heavy piping, not the thin oil filter canister. I am back to using a hacksaw and out some $25 for a tool I may never use.

The Summit filter cutter may be the best bet if you're going to cut a lot of filters. I have never used one, but would expect a tool designed specifically for cutting filters should perform.

If you are going hacksaw, make a jig on your work bench. Just nail two pieces of 2x4 or whatever is handy down with just enough space to snugly fit the filter between and so the end can hang off the edge. Put a pan under the edge as the often drip when you cut off the top, and wear a leather glove on the left hand which holds the filter down while cutting, just in case you slip. Works great and the metal bits from cutting the can don't seem to get into the filter element to confuse things.

 

[NYEngineer]

I also have the Summit filter cutter. I've cut many, many filters with it and it still looks and works mint. I think it even has the original cutting wheel in it. Mine's about ten years old.

 

[ZZman]

The filter cutter from Summit is the way to go. I love mine. It is quick and easy.

But I would say a Dremel is the second choice.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

"I've done every used filter I could get my hands on (probably 100) and it still works well."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh yeah, well I'll start dumpster diving at the quick lube. So there.

 

[ctc]

I use a cut off air tool. They can be had for $50 or less and are multi-purpose. Only helpful if you already have an air compressor.

 

[rationull]

I don't really have a workshop setup, or enough of an air compressor for any air tools over a nail gun. Sounds like maybe I'll go with the Summit cutter, with such glowing reviews.

 

[rationull]

Just ordered it! Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[REDDOG]

Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Oh yeah, well I'll start dumpster diving at the quick lube. So there.

I actually hadn't thought of that...

 

[Corvette Owner]

OK, so what do you guys find in these oil filters that is so interesting (other than their construction)?

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: rationull
Most practical tool for cutting oil filters


You have to ask the Teutons how they do it. Then use a simpler method!

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: rationull
Most practical tool for cutting oil filters


You have to ask the Teutons how they do it. Then use a simpler method!

Ditto

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
OK, so what do you guys find in these oil filters that is so interesting (other than their construction)?



Well, I'm hoping to find two things, specifically:

1) What the filter looks like after two OCIs.
2) Another outlet for my obsessive/compulsive behavior.

Not sure what to expect from (1) but (2) is a sure thing!

 

[Crashbox]

Originally Posted By: IntegraVT
[SNIP][/SNIP] After fighting with a hacksaw and going through Dremel discs for the first couple of filters I finally broke down and got the Summit cutter and have not looked back. I'd say short of a lathe or air tools, it's the way to go... PN:SUM-900510.


Thanks a bundle for providing the Summit part number for the cutter- I just ordered and received mine a couple of days ago. It seems well-built (*much* better than I expected) and the cost was low. I feel like a gen-u-ine BITOGGER now...!!!

Now I can crack my last filter from my latest Auto-Rx treatment phase! (though I do not expect a lot- the rinse-phase filter possibly more)

 

[herrhaus]

I have used my mini-grinder with a zip blade (thin metal cutting blade). Works much better than dremmel or hacksaw. However, it's probably a lot more messy. Some day I'll break down and pick up a filter cutter open thinger.....