Ways to cut open an Oil Filter?

[Jim 5]

Thanks for the tips.

I have a big pipe cutter I'll try.

I'm going to buy a few big U-bolts and I'll weld up a copy of that Tavia Filter cutter stand using some angle iron and some plate.

 

[Scotto]

I just use my dremel with one of the cutting wheels. It can can a few minutes but that doesn't bother me.

 

[TallPaul]

I can't find a big pipe cutter. Largest seem to be around 2.5 inch maximum. I bet when I find a pipe cutter that goes 4+ inches, it will be as expensive as a filter cutter anyway.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by TallPaul:
I can't find a big pipe cutter. Largest seem to be around 2.5 inch maximum. I bet when I find a pipe cutter that goes 4+ inches, it will be as expensive as a filter cutter anyway.

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Harbor Freight has 3-3/4 pipe cutters for under $20. Which naturally is worthless if you need 4 inches.

I think Ed Polk bought some kind of reasonable priced cutter that wasn't a dedicated filter cutter.

 

[Jim 5]

I tried putting one in a vice and using an angle grinder. This didn't work very well, but it eventually worked. There's got to be a better way (other than buying a specific tool for this purpose).

Please share your tips/tricks!

 

[TallPaul]

Wow thanks XS650. It is $17, comes with spare blades, and 3-3/4 will fit a FL1A filter with a tad to spare. Gonna order one up tomorrow.

 

[TallPaul]

I nailed two blocks of wood on the workbench, just wide enough for the filter to snugly lay between them. Then I simply hacksaw the mounting end off about 1/4-inch back from the mounting plate. Sometimes results in a pool of used oil as you turn the filter and the cut gets around to the bottom.

 

[Big O Dave]

Big pipe cutter should work, and as TallPaul says, hacksaws work, too. But here's what I use:

Tavia Filter Cutter

and...

Tavia Filter Cutter Stand

This setup works beautifully!

 

[Jim Allen]

I use an exhaust pipe cutter. I've had it so long I don't know who made it, but it works like a tubing/pipe cutter and opens to a skosh over 3-inches. Doesn't work for the big filters, obviously, but it does the Honda filters nicely. I use a cutting wheel on a die grinder on the big filters

 

[Chris]

An old screw driver and a hammer works fine!

 

[chuckstop]

I use my Stanley knife with a new blade. Cuts right through the metal aft of the flange.

 

[KellyL]

I use a manual can opener and a screwdriver.

 

[gudmund]

I second the manuel can opener(Swing-a-way for about $5.00 works well) have done over 50 so far this way with a good straight blade screwdriver.

 

[KellyL]

SHHH. Maybe we should paint them and call them filter cutters and charge a bunch of money just because people have to have the "right tool for the job"

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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Originally posted by TallPaul:
Wow thanks XS650. It is $17, comes with spare blades, and 3-3/4 will fit a FL1A filter with a tad to spare. Gonna order one up tomorrow.

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Well I got my pipe cutter. It's HUGE! I never realized how big it would be. Anyway, opened the jaws up all the way and put a FL1A filter in it and there was about 1/4-inch extra room. I think it could fit a filter nearly 4 inches in diameter. I will test it in the next week or so as I have two oil changes coming up.

 

[ShortBuSX]

Any luck with that pipe cutter?

 

[2K2AcuraTL]

I put the cutting wheel on the die grinder and fire up the compressor...
Make really nice sparks...;-)
J

 

[tom slick]

quote:

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Originally posted by KellyL:
I use a manual can opener and a screwdriver.

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works for me too!

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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Originally posted by ShortBuSX:
Any luck with that pipe cutter?

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Tried one filter so far and it sucks.

It crushed the filter and just dented in the can until it finally cut through but for about 4 places it would not cut. Finished the job with the hacksaw. The pipe cutter crimped it into the filter media so it was a pain to get apart.

Okay, so what gives? A number of folks here use these things and don't indicate such problems. do I need to sharpen the cutting wheel to a razor edge? Also it was about 3/4 inch or so down from the seam because of the roller width.

The same for the can opener method. I cannot figure out how they do it. Anyone want to post a video of the can opener method?

One thing for sure, the hacksaw is easy. I just wanted to get past all the metal bits the hacksaw leaves behind.

Oh well.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim 5:
I tried putting one in a vice and using an angle grinder. This didn't work very well, but it eventually worked. There's got to be a better way (other than buying a specific tool for this purpose).

Please share your tips/tricks!

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I use a 12ga shotgun.