What's the best way to cut open the oil filter without making a mess? Jeg's sells an oil filter cutting tool but it's $40. There must be something cheaper or something laying around in the garage that I can use to do this?

Never tried this before and I'm curious what I may find in there, hopefully nothing.

Those tools work pretty well, but I think you can find one for 25.00. Try Summit, they may have one cheaper.

Summit has the same price, $39.99. Maybe I'll find a cheaper one at the local parts store. Thanks

I get the cut started with a chisel and finish with metal shears. Tin snips would probably work too.

I did this the other night. Boy was it a huge PITA. I started off with a hack-saw (then realized the blade was really dull). So I got a hammer and screwdriver or chisel (as von said) and did that all the way around the outer shell.


Chris

Old fashioned can opener.

http://www.corkscrewsonline.com/images/can_opener2.JPG

I use a utility knife(box cutter) with no problem but that old fashioned can opener looks like a good idea.

Yeah, i got it started with a chisel, and cut around the rest with tin snips. Not to bad.

Daniel

I got ahold of one with the cut-off wheel on my angle grinder. Made very short work of it :D

Doesn't a hacksaw or cutoff wheel sort of defeat the purpose of opening the filter in the 1st place. I'm assuming that you want to check for metal filings.

Yea..the first time I did it I used a sawszall...lol...metal fillings through out

Doesn't a hacksaw or cutoff wheel sort of defeat the purpose of opening the filter in the 1st place. I'm assuming that you want to check for metal filings.
Exactly my thoughts... :clonk:

I have cut a few open with a cut off wheel on a wizzer, you do get some shavings on the top but it doesn't go inside the pleats..