I must have 4 cheap brake line tube cutters in my box and they suck especially after making a few cuts in stainless. I want to buy the BEST cutter money can buy so i have it for life. No questions asked on this because have a crap tool just ruins the day with frustration Can any of you guys suggest a name brand cutter or what i should be looking for?
Guys is the Rigid a tool i can grab at Home Depot? Can any of you guys throw up a photo? I would like to have a tool with replaceable cutting wheels. How do those ratcheting ones work?
I probably have 5 cheap tubing cutters that have been regulated to the junk drawer of my tool box. I now use a Rigid #15 tubing cutter a good friend gave me for my Birthday,,I told him "Thank you,but I have several tubing cutters". His replied,"Yeah,I know but after using yours I decided you needed one that works! I honestly didn't give it a thought as far as a inexpensive tool is concerned to accomplish it's seldom use,,And if the wheel ever stops cutting crisp and cleanly,I have 2 replacement wheels. I will never need another tubing cutter and if a neighbor want's to borrow on,,I have a several in the aforementioned junk drawer! HRP
for brake/fuel lines i use a Ridgid #10 i've had it for so many years....maybe 30? goes to show if you buy quality tools they will last a lifetime or two
Guys i was looking just now at the Rigid it mentions it being rated copper and aluminum not stainless line, does it matter and does stainless kill the cutter wheels?
Rich i got the new Eastwood kit its awesome il never use the other crap in myntoolbox again. Im so happy with the new flare tool
Certainly stainless is harder and will wear out a cutting wheel,,Personally I use regular brake line tubing from Napa and if I need to shorten a piece I use the rigid cutter and my SK Double Flaring tool. I tend to think of stainless tubing as something that you use under the kitchen sink. HRP
I use the small Imperial "the imp" and its never let me down. Had it since 1987. So small you can hold it in the palm of your hand. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I used to do a lot of SS brake lines/fuel lines and I found that the easiest way to cut the tubing was either vertical band saw or die grinder-cutoff wheel. The end of the line to be flared needs to filed-sanded-ground perpendicular to the tubing any way. If you don't get the flared end exactly 90 degrees to the tubing run it will leak. The line also needs to be de-burred on the I.D. and O.D.. For me it was just easier. Running nice LEAK-FREE SS lines is hard work and takes time and patience. I don't have either anymore.
After using every combination of crappy cutters, flaring tools, etc. for many years, I finally have a set up now that works like it should. Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool, a small Ridgid tubing cutter like the imp pictured above, a small flat file, and a tapered deburring tool. Makes brake line work much easier and less frustrating. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
As carter said the Mastercool hydraulic set looks like the cats ass, but I've never used one. 71475 is the part number.
The ss will wear out wheels for a fact but more important than that,,,the flaring tool needs to be the real deal and I don't know if Rigid makes one for Stainless or not.
I highly suggest the Mastercool 71475 flaring tool. Here is a you tube video of one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJJKA_Gm9Ks
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