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Cutting exhaust pipes

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Old 05-06-2006, 05:36 PM
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Default Cutting exhaust pipes

Anyone ever use cutting wheels with a dremel to cut exhaust pipes? If so, does it do the job well? Anything I should know if I end up doing this? I'm going to be removing my stainless steel loudmouth exhaust where it meets the stock I pipe and probably cutting at the hump over the axle.
Old 05-06-2006, 06:19 PM
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I found cutting wheels will work on a angle grinder but it isn't the best solution. The cutoff wheel does tend to kickback. If you have a Sawzall that is the best way to go.
Old 05-06-2006, 06:20 PM
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I am assume you are talking about the 1.5" wheels that are available for the Dremel. You can do it but you will need a lot of wheels and time, you best bet would be a chop saw, band saw, or reciprocating saw.
Old 05-06-2006, 06:31 PM
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Thanks alot you guys. Yup, it's the 1.5" wheels. I'll look into the sawzall.
Old 05-06-2006, 06:31 PM
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yes cutoffs work well on an angle grinder, but you have to be careful to hold the blade in between the cut so it doesnt bind and kickback///if you have a sawsall, more power to you
Old 05-08-2006, 02:20 AM
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You will go through more 1.5" dremel cutoff wheels that you can count if you go that route. If it were me, I would get a sawzall.
Old 05-08-2006, 07:15 AM
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Dremel makes 2 small sandy cutoff wheels. One is quite thin, the other is thick (about twice as thick as the thin).

If you go easy on the thin one, you can get a good 10 inches to a foot of use out of it on exhaust pipe before it frags. NEVER push down and force it. Just let the RPMs do their work. Light touch works best.

The thicker (maybe 1mm) / heavy duty ones are FAR superior. They last much longer. They can take some pushing as well. I will reach for the thick one every time if one's available.

That said, you will spend ~1 hour with a Dremel doing what you're looking at.

Or about 30 seconds with a Sawzall. Sawzall owns. I love mine.
Old 05-08-2006, 08:11 AM
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I use my sawzall for that kind of stuff. It's hard to make a straight cut, but with care it can be done. Also, if there's room, starting the cut from more than one place can give a straighter final product.
Old 05-08-2006, 01:30 PM
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Pick up a cheap sawzall from Harbor Freight and it will get the job done quick.
Old 05-08-2006, 04:54 PM
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CHOPSAW!!!!!!! Only way to cut exhaust tubing quickly, cleanly.
Harbor Freight has em for 59 bucks usually. Got mine there and it works awesome.
Old 05-08-2006, 07:24 PM
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Great info on everything. I'll have to take a look at the cutting wheels that I purchased to see if they are what you described for the thicker versions.

I saw that Harbor Freight has a $59 Sawzall on sale for $20 :O. Kinda of scary though with such a low price.

Now that chopsaw doesn't sound too bad either. Hmmmmm.....
Old 05-08-2006, 07:59 PM
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The chopsaw won't work with the exhaust on the car. Which, if you're *removing*, presents a problem.

Chopsaw rules for cutting a straight line tho.
Old 05-09-2006, 12:27 AM
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coldsaw rules for cutting tubing when you've got it free. Sawzall is great for gently removing old exhaust. rolling the tubing when you're cutting it with a sawzall (provided you've got a line marked) helps make a straight cut.
Old 05-09-2006, 07:53 AM
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Marking a straight line on tubing tip: I have a piece of belt sander belt that I wrap around the tube/pipe. Line it up and make your mark with a Sharpie. I learned that from my old pipe-welding days.
Old 05-09-2006, 08:40 AM
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go sawsall, grinder/cutting wheel takes way to long...trust me
Old 05-09-2006, 09:51 AM
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Why are you cutting off the Loudmouth i thought it was modular and just comes apart.
Old 05-09-2006, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr Incredible
Marking a straight line on tubing tip: I have a piece of belt sander belt that I wrap around the tube/pipe. Line it up and make your mark with a Sharpie. I learned that from my old pipe-welding days.
A hose clamp works well for this as also. It's not a bad guide to just leave on the pipe when your cutting either.
Old 05-09-2006, 07:07 PM
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Sawsall will have that done in no time.
Old 05-09-2006, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Evaporate
Anyone ever use cutting wheels with a dremel to cut exhaust pipes? If so, does it do the job well? Anything I should know if I end up doing this? I'm going to be removing my stainless steel loudmouth exhaust where it meets the stock I pipe and probably cutting at the hump over the axle.
I used the reinforced cutting wheels for non-straight cuts. Your best bet, as far as time and money are concerned, is to get a $15 hack-saw. I takes me like a minute max and I can reuse the hack-saw blade probably 50 more times. The cutting wheels run out SO quick... and at one dollar a piece, it's not worth it.





edit: hmm, I don't remember posting 400 times.
Old 05-09-2006, 08:22 PM
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Go to any auto parts store and pickup a exhaust pipe cutting tools. I just used one, its no more than $20 and it makes perfectly straight cuts. It has a handle attached to a chain with a bunch of cutting wheels in it. Easy as cake.


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