If i buy a foot of let say 3" silicone hose and want to cut it in 3" to make couplers, what do you use to make a nice even cut like they do when you buy them already cut? I tried with a metal saw but it looks like ***.

anyone has a good trick?

thanks a lot

puma

 

I use a sharp utility knife.

 

ditto

 

Craftsman handi-cut, works great.

 

hmm ok then, i'll try that

 

Push it onto a piece of tubing that is the size that it's meant to fit on. Push it in such that the edge of the tube is right where you need the cut. Then, when you stick the utility knife through, you can follow right around the edge of the tube like you would with a straight edge on a piece of paper. Try and make sure the piece your going to use is the part "on" the pipe, so if you screw up, you'll cut into the unused portion.

 

could get some foam cylinders from the craft store, insert them in the tube where you wanna make the cut, put it in a miter block, and try a hack saw

 

an exacto knife works great!!!!!!!!!

 

I've cut couplers with a sharp utility knife - works, but it's hard to get a REAL clean cut.

Using one of the Craftsman cutters would likely work VERY well. You could cut through both the top and bottom of the silicone at the same time, keeping the cut even.

Part of the reason it's hard to cut straight with a utility knife is the blade wants to follow the wound pattern of the coupler. I've goofed up a few pricey couplers myself .

Dale

 

the best way is to put a piece of pipe in the tube. then run a hose clamp around where you want to cut. follow the edge of the hose clamp and you have a nice clean straight cut. wear some gloves and cut AWAY from your body.

 

*NEW* razor blade.

using a method just as mad7tist noted

Crispy

 

Note that I noted it five posts ago or so... !? hose clamp not really necessary. Once you get the blade against the tube, it rolls around perfectly.

 

Yes, nothing will cut clean (and straight) without having a hard tube to put the coupler on. I've tried several times and they all come out like crap. Then I tried a tube and it was much easier and the cuts were much better.

Also, don't buy 3" hose if you want it to fit all the stock (and stock-sized replacement) pipes. The pipes are all 2.75".

-Max

 

This is basically the method we use to cut hose everyday. However there is no need to have the tube inside the ID. Take the clamp and get it straight on the outside of the hose. Make sure you check the distance from the end with a tape in several spots and adjust as you go. Tighten down the clamp and use the edge of the clamp as a guide.

We use a utility knife and a fresh blade everyday.

Jim

 

DITO the above , I cut a heavy wall tube on the lathe then put the tubing inside and cut around with a new blade . Some of the hose I cut is quite heavy and some force is needed .

 

good, thanks everyone