Tips for cutting open filter.

[hardcore302]

I want to see what my Bosch Distance Plus looks like after 5k with synthetic and stop and go.

Those filter cutters are expensive, though.

How do you guys fo it without the tool? Thanks!

 

[chad8]

i use a metabo with a metal cutting wheel. Harbor freight version is about $20. Its faster than any other method i have used.

 

[bepperb]

Dremel is dirty.

I have a swing away can opener I removed a pin from, and it opens Purolators and will probably open a Bosch. Wont' do a WIX (that's how I know the dremel is a mess).

Sadly, you won't find anything but a clean wavy filter when you open it at that short of mileage.

 

[TooManyWheels]

A big hammer and chisel, which makes an opening for the tin snips.

 

[Texan4Life]

woodchipper...

j/k.. I used a hacksaw a few times at first. After that I decided to invest in a filter cuter.

 

[Jim Allen]

Filter cutter, IMO. Most everything else is messy and if you want to see how much gunk is on the filter, a bunch of metal shavings from a grinder won't make it easier. I got mine at Summit some years back and use at every oil change to "autopsy" the filters.

Hardcore: Run your filter longer than 5K and you'll soon save enough money to buy a cutter ( : < )!

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I used a bench grinder on the top of the threaded end where the can is crimped over it. The end just pops out afterwards.

 

[rrounds]

You can see in the upper left corner what I use to cut open my filters, works good.

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad338/rrounds/Oil Filters/P1080973.jpg


ROD

 

[Craigmar]

+1 on the bench grinder. Just lightly grind around the top edge of the upper rim until the can separates and then you can just pull the can right off. Practice taking the top off an empty pop can and you will see. Easy peasy. I presume everybody here already has a bench grinder.

 

[widman]

I bought a couple of cutters from Summit Racing, but often, at customers plants, we just take them into the shop and put them in the lathe.

 

[NavyDood]

Invest in a cutter. I can grab the filter and the cutter and have it opened up in less than two minutes. Amazon search the longacre filter cutter.

 

[CLeming]

What I use is a exhaust cutoff tool, works great. Harbor Freight has them at a good price. http://www.harborfreight.com/exhaust-pipe-cut-off-tool-91292.html

 

[ktrsb]

lolz. All my cars use a drop-in cartridge, so I just use whatever knife is handy.

 

[linkbelt]

Originally Posted By: CLeming
What I use is a exhaust cutoff tool, works great. Harbor Freight has them at a good price. http://www.harborfreight.com/exhaust-pipe-cut-off-tool-91292.html


Now thats a good idea!
The price is right, will get one Mon.
This will work well with my Subaru oil filters.

 

[Arctic388]

just ordered me a longacre filter cutter. wish i knew about this earlier.

 

[TallPaul]

When I was a kid many cars had filter canisters where you simply inserted a new filter element. This would make for very easy filter media inspection, although it was quite messy for filter element changes on the particular car I saw because the filter was on the bottom and you removed a long bolt from the center of the canister. This was on a Chevy small block V8, think a late 60s model.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
When I was a kid many cars had filter canisters where you simply inserted a new filter element. This would make for very easy filter media inspection, although it was quite messy for filter element changes on the particular car I saw because the filter was on the bottom and you removed a long bolt from the center of the canister. This was on a Chevy small block V8, think a late 60s model.


All the newer cars are going back to cartridge filters (ie, just the filter element) ... a blast from the past.

 

[linkbelt]

Originally Posted By: CLeming
What I use is a exhaust cutoff tool, works great. Harbor Freight has them at a good price. http://www.harborfreight.com/exhaust-pipe-cut-off-tool-91292.html


It works fine for an oil filter, but, I would not want to cut off exhaust pipes with it.

 

[rrounds]

To bad it won't fit the filter I use on my Honda S2000(filters to big)

ROD

 

[97f150]

This one isnt mine, but the one I have looks almost exactly like it. I used to use a Dremel but that took too long on the M1 filters, this is what I use now and it cuts through them like butter.