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I've seen some expensive hydraulic hose cutting tools.
I just want to cut the two new brake hoses I have now, so I don't want to buy an expensive tool.
I want to do it myself, and I don't mind spending some money for a tool to do it, but not $100.

I've read that cable cutters are not suitable (I have proper cable cutters).
Also, I'm guessing what is critical is getting a nice clean square cut (ie exactly perpendicular to the hose length).

What is my best option to do it myself, if I don't have the expensive tool?

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I think the trick is to not crush (too badly) the hose while you cut it. Plus, as you say, to get a clean, square cut. – Daniel R Hicks Jan 12 '12 at 22:49
Look-alikes for the SRAM unit are available for $47, BTW. – Daniel R Hicks Jan 12 '12 at 22:51
(You might want to buy a length of hose and practice -- see if a cable cutter will work well enough.) – Daniel R Hicks Jan 12 '12 at 22:55
@jm2 answer is the way to go. I used it, is easy, inexpensive, and works perfectly. – heltonbiker Jan 13 '12 at 13:48

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote

Get a brand new razor blade, the type that you would use in a boxcutter or the type you would use in a scraper, as long as it's rigid. Lay the hose against a hard, flat, and clean surface and while holding the hose as close to where you want to make the cut as possible (without cutting your fingers off) push straight down on the blade while sliding it forward on the hose. Once it gets started it should go through pretty easily if the blade is new and sharp. The two important things when you're done are to ensure that you have a clean cut and that you have a perpendicular cut, ie you don't want to slice it at an angle or have a jagged cut. If the cut looks messy or isn't straight, move back a few millimeters and try again. It's not that hard to get right and it will save you a few bucks.

Personally, I would recommend against using cable cutters. You'll get a much better cut with a razor blade.

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I have Maguras and the very own product manual describes exactely this procedure: sharp razor-like object, sliding back and forward to produce a very straight-angled hose end. – heltonbiker Jan 13 '12 at 13:48
This is probably what I'll do, but I'd like a bit more info on how I can get the cut perfectly square. – Jason S Jan 13 '12 at 21:36
@heltonbiker Magura did something right! – jm2 Jan 13 '12 at 22:08
@JasonS short of a steady hand and a little bit of practice, there's not much more to it. It's really a pretty gentle learning curve. Even if you botch the first 2 or 3 cuts, which is unlikely, you'll only lose half an inch of hydraulic line. If the hose is significantly longer than you need an your worried about it, practice on a piece of the hose that's going to get cut off anyway. If you want to guarantee that the cut is spot on the first time then you'll want to splurge on the hydraulic line cutter. – jm2 Jan 13 '12 at 22:10
@JasonS also, the cut most probably doesn't need to be PERFECTLY straight. Unless the hose is too skewed, it should work the same. – heltonbiker Jan 14 '12 at 0:09
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up vote 3 down vote

Searching on Amazon (for "Hydraulic Hose Cutter"), I found a few under $20. But, the replacement blades look just like common utility knife razor blades.

Maybe you can rig of something to hold the cable square so you might be able to use a utility knife. I'd clamp, lightly so you don't crush, the hose to a scrap piece of wood and use edge as a visual guide and slice straight down with your utility knife. Cut it an inch long and if it doesn't seal up nicely, then splurge for one of the tools under $20.

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I'm in Australia and none of the hydraulic cable cutters on Amazon ship to Australia, and I can't find these at the LBS. – Jason S Jan 13 '12 at 21:46
I ended up finding a cheap $20 Jagwire cutter online in Australia. I have to say it was not worth the $20. Two things make it worthless. 1. The blade is so slim it flexes. Even though the blade comes down on the hose, it still flexes and doesn't cut straight. 2. The section to hold the hose perpendicular to the blade is too short, so it is not great for holding it perpendicular. – Jason S Apr 10 '12 at 4:27

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