Oil filter cutter

[bcg]

Since I've got to change the oil in my own hangar now, I needed to get my own filter cutter.  I looked around and couldn't find one for airplane filters that was less than $150 because you know, airplane.  I'm way too cheap for that so I got this off Amazon and drilled a hole in it - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5D3SF4S  $17 and I'm done.  So, if you need a filter cutter, you're welcome.

[Yetti]

I just chuck mine up on my 9" South bend lathe that is older than me. 

[bcg]

18 minutes ago, Yetti said:

I just chuck mine up on my 9" South bend lathe that is older than me. 

That's a good idea.  I have a lathe, never considered using it to cut filters.

[Hank]

Harbor Freight pipe cutter works, too, just measure the oil filter so you can buy the right size.

[larryb]

I bought one of those Amazon ones after I misplaced my old Airwolf cutter and like it better. Pro tip: Clamp the filter top hex in your bench vise and then use the cutter to remove the filter base.

[Lax291]

This is the one I use, $30 shipped from Amazon and it's worked great, even comes with replacement blades. https://a.co/d/0gMz6FBl

[M20F]

I just tear the top off with my hands, because I am just that strong. 

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, M20F said:

I just tear the top off with my hands, because I am just that strong. 

Amateur!  I use my teeth!

[Hank]

7 hours ago, M20F said:

I just tear the top off with my hands, because I am just that strong. 

5 hours ago, MikeOH said:

Amateur!  I use my teeth!

Us carbureted folks just cut them open when we have a few minutes to spare, and a bucket to empty it into . . . I save my energy for loading and unloading my wife's baggage . . . .

[DonMuncy]

On 2/20/2026 at 4:02 PM, bcg said:

Since I've got to change the oil in my own hangar now, I needed to get my own filter cutter.  I looked around and couldn't find one for airplane filters that was less than $150 because you know, airplane.  I'm way too cheap for that so I got this off Amazon and drilled a hole in it - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5D3SF4S  $17 and I'm done.  So, if you need a filter cutter, you're welcome.

I paid a ton more than that for my Air-wolf, and I don't see that mine should do a much better job. 

[PT20J]

1 hour ago, DonMuncy said:

I paid a ton more than that for my Air-wolf, and I don't see that mine should do a much better job. 

Me too. I'd been using my IA's and decided that if I was going to keep borrowing it, maybe I should just buy one. So, I bought what I'd been using because I knew it worked.

[MikeOH]

Probably lost my CB card, but I paid about $100 for my aviation cutter 7 years ago and have been perfectly happy with it.  I've blown far more on other aviation stuff for which I haven't received as good a value for my dollars.  As always, YMMV

[PBones]

Here is one that you do not have to make a hole for 17 bucks. Good work improvising BCG!

https://a.co/d/0ezPspv3

[bcg]

3 minutes ago, PBones said:

Here is one that you do not have to make a hole for 17 bucks. Good work improvising BCG!

https://a.co/d/0ezPspv3

NICE!  I didn't see that one.  You've used this and the threaded rod for adjusting the blade clears the nipple OK?

[IvanP]

I got one from Tempest a while ago and it works great. Cannot recall what I paid for it, but I am sure it was more than $17. After all, it is "aviation" tool. Cannot help but wonder if the reusable mesh Challenger filters are a good alternative to what we are currently doing. No metal curtting required. I love the way oil filters are designed on Benz cars - simply unscrew the top of the filter housing which is easily accessible and remove the filter element that can be easily examined without cutting any metal or spilling oil all over the engine. 

[PBones]

I will let you know! I just bought it. Its close, the space is a little bigger than 1" which should clear, but I may have to open that space a little with the Dremel if needed

[bcg]

50 minutes ago, IvanP said:

I got one from Tempest a while ago and it works great. Cannot recall what I paid for it, but I am sure it was more than $17. After all, it is "aviation" tool. Cannot help but wonder if the reusable mesh Challenger filters are a good alternative to what we are currently doing. No metal curtting required. I love the way oil filters are designed on Benz cars - simply unscrew the top of the filter housing which is easily accessible and remove the filter element that can be easily examined without cutting any metal or spilling oil all over the engine. 

BMW is the same way.  The Germans definitely got that part right.

[Fly Boomer]

2 hours ago, bcg said:

BMW is the same way.  The Germans definitely got that part right.

Not to mention all the American, Japanese, and Korean cars as well.

[PT20J]

15 hours ago, bcg said:

BMW is the same way.  The Germans definitely got that part right.

That’s just an old design. Cartridge filters were common until most auto manufacturers switched to spin-on filters in the 1960’s. My dad’s 1959 Cadillac had a cartridge filter. 

[bcg]

1 minute ago, PT20J said:

That’s just an old design. Cartridge filters were common until most auto manufacturers switched to spin-on filters in the 1960’s. My dad’s 1959 Cadillac had a cartridge filter. 

The oldest thing I've worked on, other than the Mooney, was my 1969 Ford F100.  I still kiss that truck, that's another story though.

 

Everything I've seen has been spin on filters, with the exception of our BMW and MB vehicles.  I've worked on Ford, Nissan, some Honda, Chevy and a lot of Ford.  I really like the cartridge filters; less mess, easier to inspect the filter for metal, and less expensive filters.  Sometimes new isn't actually improved.