SonexBuilders.net

What are you guys using to cut open and inspect your Fram oil filter?

I have a cutter that screws into the filter and as you turn the filter, a cutting wheel cuts around the outside of the can. Sort of like a pipe cutter works, except the filter screws onto the tool. It has an adapter for either type of filter either with a male threaded nipple or a female threaded hole.

Joe

Recommendations from another web site :

http://www.airwolf.com/aw/products/oil-filter-cutter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrH92W6ODy4

Leading Edge Air Foils part number N5198

https://www.leadingedgeairfoils.com/oil ... d-kit.html

My EP915ECI engine has just passed 50 hrs, and is still well within warranty.

So I fly over to the Edge Performance facilities and do oil- and filter change there. They have developed their own filter can cutter, which I can borrow. When I have the internal paper filter element out, Edge checks it out for me.

Works like a charm!

[quote="Skippydiesel"]Recommendations from another web site :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrH92W6ODy4

I saw this a couple of years ago and now use this method. It is quick, and fairly easy to do. For those that built their plane ... the odds of of a set of aviation snips being somewhere in the hangar is very high!

I've had good results with this...
https://www.amazon.com/Filter-Cutter-Re ... 221&sr=8-9

Thanks, Skippy and Dale and the rest of you. I think I’ll try the tin snip method before the other solutions.

JohnBlackstone wrote:Thanks, Skippy and Dale and the rest of you. I think I’ll try the tin snip method before the other solutions.

;-) I don't recommend the tin snips. But go ahead and use them, once.

BRS wrote:

JohnBlackstone wrote:Thanks, Skippy and Dale and the rest of you. I think I’ll try the tin snip method before the other solutions.

;-) I don't recommend the tin snips. But go ahead and use them, once.

It literally takes about 30 seconds to open the filter with a good pair of snips. Have you tried this? I'm curious as to why you don't recommend them. It's very quick, easy, doesn't contaminate the filter, and most builders may already have the snips in the shop.

I have no heartburn with using a high dollar filter cutter if that's what one wants to use.

Best ...

Dale
3.0 Corvair - Taildragger

Previously I tried the tin snips way several times on automotive filters with good results.

Now I have a R912 type hanging up front, and I had to throw in the towel (and the snips). It seems that the R912 filter is a magnitude more resilient than the others.

Hence the more dedicated filter cutter.