( 1 reviews )
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Posted: 01-31-2006
I've been using these cutters (in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes) for several years. They're uniquely adept at their intended task-cutting tubing in confined spaces- but there are several drawbacks. First, in spite of the manufacturer's claim, they only work well in one direction. If rotated the "wrong" way, they tend to pop open. This is easily overcome by remembering which way they work best. Second, since the cutter wheel is held against the tubing rather forcibly by the spring, if the tubing is allowed to move when the cut is completed (a painfully common occurrence), it will break a chip out of the cutter wheel -- this fact is mentioned in the product instructions, but not it's inevitability. It is still possible to use the cutter with a chipped wheel (since the cutter wheel is smaller than the tubing and the chip(s) will not hit the same spot on the tubing as the cutter is turned), but it becomes increasing difficult as the number of chips increases. Eventually, you will feel compelled to replace the cutter wheel, which brings up: Third, changing the cutter wheel is a daunting task. I am a professional mechanic with access to a large array of tools and the first time I changed one of these cutter wheels it took me about an hour and a lot of head scratching. The wheel is held in place by a pin that must be pressed out, then pressed back in. It would be relatively easy with an arbor press but unfortunately that is not included in my "large array." (I use a bench vise and a pin punch as a makeshift press.) In spite of these not-insignificant drawbacks, I still consider these cutters as an essential part of my tool inventory. But I only use them when nothing else will do.
