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Technical cutting radiator hoses

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by RMR&C, Jan 10, 2022.

  1. I need to trim some rubber radiator hoses to fit my application. What is the best way to make clean, straight, factory looking cuts? Mine always end up looking uneven and ragged.
    What's the secret?
     
  2. NJ Don
    Joined: Dec 25, 2019
    Posts: 234

    NJ Don
    Member

    I've used a band saw with a fine blade but you get some fuzzies where the internal cord/cloth gets exposed. Just trim it off later with a scissor.
     
  3. I have what looks like a big pair of scissors with a flat jay and a Box knife style long blade in it made just for cutting hosses. Mine always come out flat and square. Just need the right tool for the Job.
     
  4. This is the style I have amongst others. Google rubber hose cutters.
    [​IMG]
     

  5. WB69
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,958

    WB69
    Member
    from Kansas

    X's 2.
     
    Pist-n-Broke likes this.
  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    Would a 2" PVC pipe cutter work?

    pvc cutter.png
     
    Lil32, Desoto291Hemi, bob b. and 4 others like this.
  7. That style is for ridged pipe, but I bet we could get them to do the job.
     
  8. Jim Bouchard
    Joined: Mar 2, 2011
    Posts: 1,025

    Jim Bouchard
    Member

    I have cut them using a fine blade in a hack saw. Use tape or a hose clamp to draw a straight line around the hose, then cut slowly by hand. I have a vice that has a flat anvil on the backside, sometimes I lay the hose against the body of the vice by the anvil to brace it while I cut. I also have those hose cutters like above and they work great too.
     
    pitman, lothiandon1940 and gnichols like this.
  9. I wrap a piece of masking tape around the hose, whether it be heater or radiator hose and use a utility knife with a new blade,works like a champ. HRP
     
  10. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,406

    stuart in mn
    Member

    A fresh razor blade works for me.
     
  11. 3W JOHN
    Joined: Oct 8, 2015
    Posts: 1,156

    3W JOHN
    Member

  12. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    I use a razor blade or sharp utility knife, and I always cut them crooked. And when I try the tape trick, I still cut them crooked.

    That reinforcing string in there is tough stuff.
     
    57Custom300, Lil32, dirt t and 3 others like this.
  13. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Radiator hose cutter. I suppose the one I use is pretty old which is why it works fine. Round part the hose fits in and a blade that cuts. IMO works slick as can be. I see them listed for sale but I'd look for an older one.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  14. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    I too use my portaband saw to cut them. Only way to truly get them straight.
     
    Dino 64, rockable and hotrodjack33 like this.
  15. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I use a bandsaw. After the cut, I go around the cut a few times with a Bic lighter. It burns off and blackens the ends of those fiber fuzzies.
     
    Lil32, da34guy, turboroadster and 5 others like this.
  16. How about a 10" or 12" plywood blade in your cutoff saw. (hopefully no wire).
     
    squirrel likes this.
  17. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    Another approach I've been using lately is to get flex hose, of the correct length. It doesn't work if you need tight bends. But it does give a proper old time traditional look to an engine bay. And no cutting needed.
     
  18. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,027

    19Fordy
    Member

    As suggested, PVC cutters might work , IF you first insert a scrap piece of PVC pipe inside the hose so it won't collapse.
     
  19. Almostdone
    Joined: Dec 19, 2019
    Posts: 892

    Almostdone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I use the PVC cutter. It works perfectly.

    John
     
  20. MAD MIKE
    Joined: Aug 1, 2009
    Posts: 772

    MAD MIKE
    Member
    from 94577

    Patience, and a whole lotta cussing.

    I've used tape to mark where I want the cut, circumferentially, remove internal spring(if applicable), use a straight edge to clamp the hose flat to table.
    Using a new razor blade, methodically slice through the hose.

    I've been meaning to buy a rubber hose cutter for ~two decades now. But the hand held pruner works pretty good too.
     
    Center of the Galaxie likes this.
  21. I've carefully used my bandsaw, sharp utility knife, pex pipe cutter, shears, scissors, and just about every other sharp or rotating tool I have. Somehow, they always appear that they were chewed crooked by a beaver. My lesson, cut long and sneak up to the finished size...often finishing with a touch to the belt sander.
     
    Jacksmith, connielu and Stogy like this.
  22. 37gas
    Joined: May 25, 2013
    Posts: 143

    37gas
    Member

    Ban saw, then finish with belt sander to get the ends square
     
    Jacksmith and Stogy like this.
  23. moparboy440
    Joined: Sep 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,087

    moparboy440
    Member
    from Finland

    Masking tape and angle grinder has always worked for me. Only problem is that the hole garage smells like burned rubber afterwards.
     
  24. I use this at work:
    [​IMG]

    And have these pvc cutters at home

    [​IMG]
     
    Desoto291Hemi and Almostdone like this.
  25. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,459

    6sally6
    Member

    X-II
     
  26. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Exactly these.
     
  27. Kevin Pharis
    Joined: Aug 22, 2020
    Posts: 512

    Kevin Pharis

    Abrasive chop saw. Works great! Smells bad!
     
    da34guy likes this.
  28. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,479

    banjorear
    Member

    Yes, sir. My dad worked for Ma Bell and would always tell us about the penny thing. We didn't believe him, so he showed us. Impressive pair of snips for sure.
     
  29. I have one of these.

    [​IMG]
     

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