tillmanr Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I am interested in checking the innards of my oil filter. Does anyone on the forum know where to buy an oil filter cutter in Aus. They can be purchased online from the USA but that seems quite expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Burdon Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Have you tried a can opener? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 The folded edge/rim is too big for any I have. I am open to suggestions for a brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 You might have opened at can of worms there. A tool capable of doing this job well would be not cheap. You try to not disturb the filter element when removing the outer casing. If you cut very close to the rolled edge you might get away with it, but it's a bit thicker than most cans. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 I have been chasing the the correct item when in the USA but they appear to be a mythical tool. I have been to maybe a dozen auto supplies and once we overcome my accent they are then unable to find one in their catalogues. I see them referred to by high performance auto engine types but no easy retail source in USA or Aus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Oil filter cutters are not cheap, yet you can get a large diameter tube cutter for a lot less, basically the same design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Make an adapter piece and set it up in a lathe chuck and put a cutter in your knurling tool that rotates. Run it slow or you will get covered in oil. Nev 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gandalph Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I am interested in checking the innards of my oil filter. Does anyone on the forum know where to buy an oil filter cutter in Aus. They can be purchased online from the USA but that seems quite expensive. Send Oscar a PM. I believe he made one for his Jab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Send Oscar a PM. I believe he made one for his Jab. Thanks, I have tried to contact him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickduncs84 Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 http://m.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/oilfiltertools.html Spruce ship to oz but expensive. Maybe check with oz distributor to see if any of these in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenn Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I use an old fashioned wooden handled can opener. Years ago there was a comparison done in Kitplanes, of several oil filter cutters and the general opinion was tyhat they are not very good, but they are expensive. I have to start my can opener with a sharp, old wood chisel, but once the case has a slit in it the can opener works well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunder Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Oil-Filter-Cutter-Heavy-Duty-Jabiru-Rotax-912-914-Ultralight-Aircraft-Engine-/331629413107?hash=item4d36a742f3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rankamateur Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Ebay vendor very kindly posted excellent photos for any one who is a bit handy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rankamateur Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 A tube cutter would yield a handy cutting wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexrbetter Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I have only ever used a screwwdriver and hammer followed by a pair of tinsnips, or a hacksaw. Hacksaw, yes puts shards everywhere, but is not a problem when you know what you're looking for and there is little chance of confusing the fresh shards with iron and aluminium gunk and bearing material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaba-who Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 You get what you pay for. If it's not a good quality you get cutting swarf inside the filter as you cut and you are left wondering if the bits of metal are from the engine or the tool. It's all very well to say " if you know what you're looking for" but not everyone does and when I find stuff I never feel happy saying "I think I'll ignore because I think I know it's probably not significant". I tried a cheaper type and then bit the bullet and paid the money and got one from aircraft spruce in the US. Jeez I paid near on a hundred thousand for my aircraft am I gonna buy cheap sH$t to service it with?? I've had it for years it works brilliantly and I cut & examine every filter I change every 25 hours. Having a good cutter means I don't hesitate when it comes to opening every filter. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexrbetter Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 you are left wondering if the bits of metal are from the engine or the tool. No you're not, the differences are night and day, the new shiny chunks of tin swarf are blatant, look nothing like aluminium, iron sludge or bearing material, and generally don't get down between the paper layers (other than where you cut) anyway. To be honest if you can't tell the difference then it's not an area you should be dealing with, send it off to an expert and leave it to the spectrograph. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Use a decent pair of snips and just cut under the rolled edge. Be careful enough not to stab yourself with the jagged bit. Never had any contamination dramas using that method on B206 txmn oil filters ( normal cartridge filter). Actually started using snips because they made a cleaner cut than the purpose built filter cutter.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I made up this one using two small ball bearings and a cutting wheel from a tube cutter. Not flash, but as you can see, it works properly. ( sorry about the poor photo.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj_richo Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 No need to purchase a tube cutter for the wheel, an ordinary tin opener cutter works fine, local bloke made one out of a few bits and pieces lying about his shed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 My latest and easiest but possibly risky is an exhaust cutter from ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Try it out on something that doesn't matter, and make any alterations necessary. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Tuncks Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Have you tried that ebay exhaust pipe cutter out yet tillmanr? Is it the 4 cutter one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 I haven't received it and won,t be available for a month to do so It is the 4 cutter jobbie I am after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd Kay Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 I am interested in checking the innards of my oil filter. Does anyone on the forum know where to buy an oil filter cutter in Aus. They can be purchased online from the USA but that seems quite expensive. An exhaust tubing cutter will do the job, clean (no chips). Looks like a chain with a dozen little wheels on it. $30 odd on E-bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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