Best way to get a clean cut on a wire reinforced hose?

[Project_Mayhem]

I need to cut off a couple inches of muffler hose in a confined space. What's your preferred tool to get a nice clean cut?

 

[jssailem]

During the install of my exhaust hose, the mechanic and I used a sharp serrated knife on the hose and wire dikes to snip the imbedded wire.

 

[JoeWhite]

Hack saw

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Hack saw

I've tried that before. Wasn't very clean. I wonder if I can get my 7" angle grinder in there

 

[jssailem]

angle grinder

That could develop a foul smelling smoke as it burns its way through the hose. Perfect is not needed. The hose generally fits over a long pipe tail. Plenty of room for double hose clamps.

 

[kloudie1]

A box knife and some good wire cutters .. The wire is really hard stuff.. I reckon a small angle grinder may work better on the wire than wire cutters.. but as John says the rubber would not be fun to do with a grinder.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

A grinder definitely would stink! I'm just trying to avoid a 1/2" of wire hanging out and a terrible looking edge

 

[dmax]

I try to cut the wire so the end is inside the rubber, can be done with sharp diagonal pliers.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A very sharp serrated knife has always been my hose cutter of choice.

--Peggie

 

[Project_Mayhem]

A very sharp serrated knife has always been my hose cutter of choice.

--Peggie

This is for steel reinforced tubing

 

[Ward H]

I use a box cutter type knife to hack saw to cut the rubber, then I use a Dremel with a cutting blade to cut the wire just under the surface of the cut rubber.

 

[mermike]

I use a multi-tool with a carbide blade.

 

[danooxnard]

I found this video when I was replacing my sanitation hoses. The key is the pair of cutters that he uses, although Ward H’s method using a dremel tool is very similar. It worked great straight cuts and no sharp edges
Dano

 

[Alan Gomes]

A grinder definitely would stink! I'm just trying to avoid a 1/2" of wire hanging out and a terrible looking edge

I've had success trimming the wire part with a Dremel tool with a tiny cutting wheel.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Maybe I'm living in the Stone Age because the only tool I use is a hacksaw with 32 TPI (teeth per inch) blade. Produces a smooth cut with the wire nicely laying down into the rubber. Any lower TPI and it looks like a saber tooth tiger chewed the end off.

I think this may be the problem with others who have cursed the hack saw. Only a fresh blade with 32 TPI produces a flawless cut. Start cutting between two wires on top of the hose so that the single wire is near a solid surface on the bottom (doesn't wiggle) when it's being cut.