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Technical How To make perfect Radiator hose cuts (?)

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by The Shift Wizard, Jan 2, 2021.

  1. I guess the title is both a statement and a question. I just now came across this video 'How To' and I thought I better share. The guy rushes the demonstration cut a little but still does a pretty good job of it.........


    If anyone else has any tips and tricks, put 'em in here. With the vast brain trust we have here on the HAMB, I'll bet there are some gems we could learn from each other. If you are like me, that front-n-center, top of the radiator needs to look presentable. That goes double for flatheads.
     
  2. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,442

    goldmountain

    I use a bandsaw.
     
    swade41, nochop, 1971BB427 and 5 others like this.
  3. Kevin Pharis
    Joined: Aug 22, 2020
    Posts: 512

    Kevin Pharis

    An abrasive chop saw works great... stinks like hell, but cuts clean! Use a piece of steel tubing to support the rubber next to the cut if using soft rubber hose
     
  4. RATRODCHEVY
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 73

    RATRODCHEVY
    Member

    Blue tape and razor knife
     

  5. I use the big craftsman handi-cut tool, they work great
     
  6. I bought both of these used decades ago.

    Small hoses:
    [​IMG]

    Large ones:
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The key there is a seriously sharp knife along with the lube from the dish soap. The big problem for most of us is that we grab that old pocket knife that has been in the tool box for 20 years that we scrape paint away for ground straps, sharpen pencils and stab the top of cans with. Then it won't cut hose worth a squat.
     

  8. Hey Mr48chev, your post just brought a flashback memory from my '..when I was a kid' days:
    When I was a kid..... we had a small farm and kept a few head head of cattle, maybe a few sheep, sometimes some pigs. Anyway, my Dad was an old cowboy/wrangler/jack-of-all-trades and did everything needed around the place, including the springtime castration of any living thing on the place that needed it. Bull calves got the Burdizzio's (sp), sheep and pigs got the pocketknife.
    So one day he and I out on a local lake trying our damnedest to find some suicidal trout, when he reaches in the cooler and drags out some salami and cheese and proceeds to cut it up. Smartass me says "hey, is that the same knife you cut pigs with the other day?". " Yup, here, I'll wipe it off. Now eat yur snack."
    What a guy!
     
  9. I’ve been guilty of using Dad’s Craftsman Radial Arm Saw. (Don’t tell him!) Whenever I use a utility knife, it never ends up looking very nice.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    ekimneirbo and lothiandon1940 like this.
  10. clem
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 4,190

    clem
    Member

    Water !
    40 years ago the farmer I worked for, reckoned that the best lubricant for cutting rubber was water. Never tried anything else.
    Cut a lot of rubber off 30metre rolls to use in the cowshed and cut it off s/s pipes when the season was over.
    Keep your (sharp) knife and the rubber wet. Used to dunk it in a bucket of water.
    Works a treat, and we were often cutting rubber a lot thicker than a radiator hose.
    No mess either !

    Thought everyone knew this !

    ...... for a straight line on radiator hose, I use masking tape as a guide for the knife cut.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2021
  11. Mac VP
    Joined: May 13, 2014
    Posts: 462

    Mac VP
    Member

    We sell lots of the old style rigid hose used on early Ford cooling systems. The hose is fairly rigid and was always tough to cut even with fresh utility knife blades. Then we tried using a radial arm saw with a carbide tipped steel blade. Man, what a difference! We get nice clean, smooth cuts with crisp edges and it works quickly. You just have to allow for the kerf of the blade in the measurement. We buy the hose in 36” lengths and can make any application length we want, including any special sizes the customer may want.
     
  12. nunattax
    Joined: Jan 10, 2011
    Posts: 3,052

    nunattax
    Member
    from IRELAND

    i suggest first turning a timber dowel for a snug fit in the hose.you could then cut it with a utility knife using masking tape as a guide or cut it in a chop saw,or cut it with a mini grinder with a 1mm disc.
     
  13. WB69
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,958

    WB69
    Member
    from Kansas

    I second that. I have a small and large one. These tools have cut off a lot of stuff and I have never had to sharpen or change the blade. Have had for years, older tools, better quality I'm guessing.
     
    lemondana and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  14. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    A piece of PVC pipe inside will hold it rigidly if using a blade or saw.
     
  15. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,507

    continentaljohn
    Member

    Does anyone make a straight radiator hose thats not rippled and reasonable?
    I have a antique hose cutter like the razor shears
     
    Truckdoctor Andy likes this.
  16. It seems that there's more than one way to skin a cat. :rolleyes:
    But what struck me about the first post and vid is that Joe Blow with no shop or toolbox can do the deed too.
    I've got an old Craftsman Handi-Cut, with a very dull, nicked, original blade and a fresh spare in the handle, that I use for fuel/vac/PCV hose. I need to give it some love because as dull as it is, it's close but not quite square.
    But for big stuff like radiator hose, all I have is a Stanly knife and I have tended to get cuts that looked like a beaver chewed it off.

    DSCN1830.JPG
     
    gimpyshotrods likes this.
  17. Yup, a bandsaw works well. I use a razor type hose cutter for smaller diameter hose, but only up to about 1 inch.
     
    hotrodA and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  18. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Guilty as sin....
     
    Tow Truck Tom and reagen like this.
  19. John, yes they do, in just about any size you can image. Just go to auto parts and ask for straight coolant hose. It is usually sold by a three foot stick. I know for sure that Gates and Dayco both make it. We stock it at work, most heavy trucks use steel radiator “hoses” with straight hose at each end.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  20. Jacob Foster
    Joined: Jan 1, 2021
    Posts: 33

    Jacob Foster

    The Shift Wizard likes this.
  21. I use my Samurai training.........kinda why I work alone a lot........
     
  22. Gummi Bear
    Joined: Sep 6, 2006
    Posts: 129

    Gummi Bear
    Member

    Me too.

    Getting tricky to find replacement blades nowadays tho. It was pretty easy 25 years ago.



    I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

    Henry David Thoreau
     
  23. I use a similar, but not identical, tool on small and larger hoses. I make an entry cut on the large hose, and use the cutter like a pair of scissors. The resulting cut, is clean enough for the girls I go with.
    Another trick that works extremely well for cutting hoses and even cutting foam cushion material, is an electric kitchen knife. I used to sneak my wife's knife out of the kitchen, but when she threatened to operate on me with it, I found my own knife at a 2nd hand store. I think it cost me $2.00, well worth the investment.
    Bob
    Bob
     
    The Shift Wizard likes this.
  24. Amazon was the last place i bought blades
     
  25. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    I also use my bandsaw to cut radiator hoses. Nice straight cuts, with no effort.
     
    j-jock likes this.
  26. I have these and they work great but since the bandsaw is always ready it is my go to
     
  27. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,606

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hmmm... I wonder.

    31MGWdyvqZL._AC_SY1000_.jpg
     
    stillrunners and nochop like this.
  28. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Amazing we didn’t lose more fingers in grade school
     
    Rickybop likes this.
  29. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,564

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    CRC and a sharp snap off blade. Haven’t tried water or soap, worth a try as there is no mess to clean up.
     
  30. MARKDTN
    Joined: Feb 16, 2016
    Posts: 147

    MARKDTN

    I use a PVC cutter for heater hoses and an abrasive cutoff saw for radiator size.
     
    jimmy six likes this.

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