Hoses and tubes are commonly used in airplanes. There are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses, for instance. The former carries pressurized air, whereas the latter carries pressure liquid. Airplanes use these hoses in various systems, such as landing gear and engine systems.
If you regularly work with hoses and tubes, you may want to invest in a specialized cutting tool. Most hoses and tubes are made of a thick flexible material, such as polyethylene. While you can always use a sharp utility knife to cut through them, there are hose and tube cutters designed specifically for this purpose.
What Are Hose and Tube Cutters?
Hose and tube cutters are exactly what they sound like: tools that are designed to cut through hoses and tubes. They eliminate the need for utility knives, scissors or other rudimentary cutting tools. You can use a hose and tube cutter to create clean cuts when working with hoses or tubes.
How Hose and Tube Cutters Work
As shown in the photo above, hose and tube cutters are relatively simple. A typical hose and tube cutter features a guillotine-like blade. With the cutter open, you can place the hose or tube inside of the jaws. You can then push the top part of the jaw down, thereby dropping the blade and cutting through the hose or tube.
Benefits of Hose and Tube Cutters
One of the biggest benefits of hose and tube cutters is convenience. With their simple design, they are convenient and easy to use. You can place them on any flat surface, such as a table or bench, after which you can use them to cut through hoses and tubes.
Hose and tube cutters are also spring-loaded. Why does this matter? The spring applies constant pressure to the top part of the jaws, making it easier to remove the newly cut pieces of hose and tube. You don’t have to aggressively pull the cutting blade out of the hose or tube. Thanks to its spring-loaded design, the cutter will release the hose or tube automatically.
Another benefit of hose and tube cutters is a strong, durable blade. They come with a hardened stainless steel blade. Furthermore, you can replace the blade in just a few quick steps. The blade is held in place with a couple of screws. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, you can remove the dull blade and replace it with a new, sharp blade.
