recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

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KG
Posts: 493
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:14 pm

recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

Post by KG »

I'm in the market for an oil filter cutter. I see several styles available from Aircraft Spruce. Anybody have any recommendations for one they like? Ease of use? Issues?

I also find myself needing a heat gun occasionally. Again I see several brands and price points. Any recommendations?

Both of these are for occasional shop use, not commercial, daily applications.
53 170B
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GAHorn
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Re: recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

Post by GAHorn »

I usually prefer quality tools but for only occasional use I'll buy a cheapie... this is from aircraft spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/t ... ckkey=4975
OilFilterTool.jpg
OilFilterTool.jpg (6.94 KiB) Viewed 6884 times
It's easy to clamp the filter's 1" nut on the bottom to the bench-vise....which will hold the filter securely...then spin the cutter. You can then "lift" the filter-element straight up and out of the "can"... and I place it in a plastic coffee-container to rinse it out and pour the contents thru a coffee-filter to look for stuff.
(It's not as tasty as Starbucks... but it does the job.) :twisted:


From the cheap chinesse store:
heatgun.jpg
heatgun.jpg (5.13 KiB) Viewed 6884 times
and it'll put out a lot of heat and has lasted for over ten years now...but one they claim is better ...(How can ten years of use for $9 be any better?) :
BetterHeatGun.jpg
BetterHeatGun.jpg (5.72 KiB) Viewed 6884 times
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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KG
Posts: 493
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:14 pm

Re: recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

Post by KG »

Thanks Guys.

I too usually go out of my way to buy quality tools. I recently got fed up with screwdrivers that have tips so soft that they erode and I ordered a set that averages out to about $9 per driver. I'm waiting for them to arrive to see if they live up to their advertised quality.

But in this case for a couple of oil changes a year and occasional use of a heat gun I probably don't want to spend hundreds on them.

Thanks for the suggestions!
Happy Flying
Keith
53 170B
flyboy122
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Re: recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

Post by flyboy122 »

I'm a tool snob too. I proudly admit it. Standing on your head with your arm bent backwards in some blind hole is not the time to be screwing around with a ratchet that is sloppy. I've never regretted buying the expensive tool. Have regretted lots of cheap ones.

That being said I bought a Wagner heat gun from my local hardware store. Nothing special, but works fine for my non-professional use. What I really like about it is it came with a couple slip on tips. One is a funnel type that necks it down to about 3/4 of an inch. This is really handy when shrinking shrink tubing and not melting the surroundings.

DEM
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KG
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Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:14 pm

Re: recommended tools? filter cutter / heat gun

Post by KG »

Follow up...

I bought the Airwolf oil can cutter as recommended by Arash ... It is MUCH better than the one I had previously. It cut quickly and cleanly and I'm sure it will last a lifetime. Thanks for the suggestion!

And I picked up a Wagner heat gun at my local hardware store. It did just what I needed. I was having trouble removing last years custom's sticker from the plane. A little heat and it came off easily.
53 170B
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