Filter cutting question

[DaV8or]

I have a great tool to cut the filter open, but what I'm wondering is, what do you guys use to cut the paper out? I have seen A&Ps use big knives. I have used a utility knife so far, but there has got to be something better. I was thinking of some sort of fine pitch saw. What do you guys use?

Thanks for the help!

[jetdriven]

Use a pair of dykes. Get about 3-4 pleats per try, push in to get to the backside of the filter elements, snip and repeat.

[BigTex]

Here's a link from an EAA webinar that walks you through the process.  They are inspecting a Rotax but the process is the same.

 

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=3735936001

[DonMuncy]

A butcher knife works well. That stuff is hard to cut. You have to have a very sharp knife or a lot of pressure.

[N601RX]

I use a large utility knife from lowes. Spruce also sells a cutter, but it's kind of pricey for using 3 or 4 times a year on a single plane

[Hank]

Utility knives work well. I don't use a saw to keep particulate from cutting the filter and from stuff left on the saw from whatever it cut previously.

[orionflt]

Hacksaw blade or utility knife

[Alan Fox]

Hacksaw

[N201MKTurbo]

Hacksaw pita

[stevesm20b]

I use a hacksaw. Easy to cut and fast.

[DaV8or]

I've been using utility/box cutter type knives so far and not impressed. To those that prefer the knife method, are straight blades, or serrated better? To the hacksaw folks, new blade, old worn out blade, or blade ground to be like a knife?