Cutting braided brake hose

[tlracer]

Whilst restoring my Van Diemen Rf86 I have looked at so many 'how to' videos on cutting stainless braided brake hose... so I thought I would share how I finally got a good clean cut. I had tried cutters, saws, etc and all gave one problem or another.

a) Wrap with electrical tape where the cut is to be made
b) Clamp the hose using light aluminium machine vices, both sides of the required cut, leaving about 1 1/2 inch gap
c) I used a 1mm Norton cutting disc specc'ed for metal including stainless

The result is a clean cut, no fraying, no debris to both braid and inner. Nut slipped over easily with no stray ends and the whole assembly was problem free to complete.

[scorp997]

I have used several methods to cut lines. The one that seems to work the best for me is using a large, SHARP, metal chisel and an aluminum plate as an anvil. Tape, mark, and one HARD hit cuts right through.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Both of these methods work.

I use the chisel up to -6. Brake and fuel.
-10 and bigger I use the cutoff wheel. Got to really clean that rubber dust out before assembly.
-8 is whatever I have setup.

[Rick Kirchner]

Not sure I would not use the chisel method on brake hose - pretty sure it does not leave the desired geometry on teflon for the end, but I guess you can expand it with a punch, pull the braid back, and trim with a razor blade.

Oil and fuel lines are more tolerant.

[J Leonard]

Nice sharp wide wood chisel with aluminum anvil. Use on 3 to 16 sizes. 3 and 4 Teflon reformed as needed with tapered punch. Very seldom use tape. On fibrous non SS hose I use Teflon thread tape. Now I have my re-purposed cable cutter.

[stonebridge20]

I cut -3 Stainless with a pair of sharp side cutters. Been doing it that way for 30 years.

ETA: No need for tape with this method. Just make sure you make a square cut if using a pair of angled cutters.

[Rick Iverson]

See below

[Rick Iverson]

If if you want it perfect, get a few of these:

• Mount onto a straight pneumatic grinder
• Identify approximately where you want to cut and tape it with several loops, then mark exactly where you want to cut
• Place in a vice, then position the drawn mark as close to the jaws but enough room to to work
• If you have an extra set of hands, extend and stretch the standing end
• Slow and precise.

It will cut through the line like a hot knife through butter.