Oil Filter Cutting Tool
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Tom Martin is a fascinating aircraft builder who has a broad spectrum of skills. The photo of the Rocket shows him flying in the 2006 Rocket Race 100 where Tom placed 2nd in the class. He also holds the Canadian speed record at the Sun ‘n Fun Sun 100 race.
He knows the importance of good maintenance and inspection practices too and was disgruntled with the quality of tools for opening oil filters either because they did a poor job or were too expensive – typically in the $100 range – and those are the Canadian Big Bucks.
"I did not like the tools that were commercially available so I made one myself, using a different concept, which resulted in a tool that is both easy to use and economical," Martin said.
This writer used the oil filter cutter just the other day to open a used filter from a Rotax powered Xtreme aircraft and was delighted. Satisfied to see the tool was in fact easy to use and happy that there was no alarming debris found in the filter.
Previously, using other store bought tools to open the filter to access the paper element resulted in contaminating the filter element with metal debris from the cutting process (I never claimed to be an AME).
As most aviators know, it is legal for us to make our own oil changes on certified and amateur built aircraft; and who cares more about the condition of the engine than we the owner/operators?
Opening used filters is a great preventative technique to ensure the engine isn’t silently grinding itself to death internally while we blissfully challenge gravity with our tender physiology.
Tom’s Tool #1 will allow you to inspect your filters in an efficient manner. Most filter cutters work like a pipe or tubing cutter in that you have to go around and around the filter, adjusting cutter depth with each pass. Although you could do that with this tool, the real beauty of this new product is, the cut can be easily made in one pass.
The tool, as supplied, is set up for Lycoming oil filters that have a threaded insert sticking out of the end of the filter. This should cover almost all Lycoming engines, however, some of them and almost all Continental engines do not have this insert. A "center bolt" supplied with the tool can be used in these cases.
To use the tool on smaller filters, such as Rotax filters, one simply removes the cutter handle and repositions the pivot bolt to the inner hole on the base handle. The "centre bolt" may have to be used on these filters as well.
This tool will also work on a number of automotive filters. If its a good idea for your airplane, why not for your car?
The actual cutter wheels supplied are a Brass Craft product, part number T029, which are used on their T007 cutting tool. These can be purchased at Home Depot if required.
One extra wheel is included with the tool and it is found stored on the main pivot bolt. During normal use the wheels should last a long time.
I have found that a bench mounted vice is the best way to hold the filter, either by clamping on the nut on the end of the filter or by clamping on the filter itself. The process is very rudimentary and easily accomplished by anyone.
If purchasers have any questions regarding the tool, or its use, they can contact Tom by phone, or email, as shown below. He includes a print out with photos that describe how to cut and inspect the filter.
If you are new to the process, place your paper element in a clean zip lock bag and present it to an AME and get him/her to show you what to look for and explain the significance of any deposits in the filter paper material.
In some cases, additional testing might be required to determine the type of residue material and its source amongst the engine or gearbox components. A certain amount of metal is "made" in gearboxes and engines when they have been overhauled, as rough edges give way to friction and end up carried to the filter in the oil stream. This is normal and should be of no concern – an AME will alleviate your worries by assessing the size and significance of particles trapped in the filter element.
Another concern for aviators is black hard chunks of considerable size. Oftentimes, these are pieces of carbon and with considerable pressure can be crushed between your fingers into a mash – metal particles will fight back and will not compress.
Tom’s Tool is a strong, well made design which needs very little effort physically to open a filter. It now available for only $53 plus shipping
Tom’s contact data for ordering is: Tom Martin, Fairlea Field, 45254 Edgeware Line
St. Thomas, ON N5P-3T3. Phone 519-631-1369 or email: fairlea@amtelecom.net
For further reading on this topic, the Lycoming website has good information; the following is a link to their Key Reprints; which has a section on inspecting filters.
http://www.lycoming.com/support/tips-advice/keyreprints/pdfs/Key%20Maintenance.pdf
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