On Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:58:14 -0400, "James"
wrote:

I need to "trim" the steel whip of a two meter antenna, and have not been
sucessful in finding an easy way to cut. Tried a vise-grip with its
close-in pinchers, and also tried a heavy duty pair of wire cutters, but no
go.

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough
!!


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT


To trim my dual-bander, way back when, I recall using a metal file
with a fine edge.

bob
k5qwg

Jim,

It cuts a lot like glass rod. A Dremel is probably the most
civilized way to do it, but I use a small file to cut a shallow notch.
Then, I use a vise or other hard surface to support the long section,
placing the nick right at the edge. A smart blow with a small hammer
will break it off. Use the file to remove the burrs, and off you go.
It requires a bit of practice to get it right, but it works perfectly,
at gets you some appropriate street creds with newer hams.


--
Alan
WA4SCA

I've always found that a small set of Bolt Cutters works great....
such as Kobalt 8" or 14" Bolt Cutters $9.98 and $14.98 at Lowe's.

Just one tool to do the job right then and there after checking SWR...

Tom

On 7/18/2010 1:58 PM, James wrote:
I need to "trim" the steel whip of a two meter antenna, and have not been
sucessful in finding an easy way to cut. Tried a vise-grip with its
close-in pinchers, and also tried a heavy duty pair of wire cutters, but no
go.

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough
!!


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT

Tom wrote:

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough
!!


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT



Hack saw

thanks for all these great responses !! I think the Kobalt bolt cutters
from Lowe's is the most simple and quick idea..... thanks Tom, and all
others !!



73 de Jim K4PYT

"James" wrote in
net:





When I worked in the Mobile radio business as a tech, we used to use a small
triangular file. Score the whip with it and then take a pair of lineman's
pliers and just snap it off. Quick and simple.

--
Panzer

For the best cut I use a hand Phaser

73

Panzer240 wrote:

"James" wrote in
lnet:







When I worked in the Mobile radio business as a tech, we used to use a small
triangular file. Score the whip with it and then take a pair of lineman's
pliers and just snap it off. Quick and simple.

Dremels are great for this, but if you use it, get the coated fiberglass
cutoff wheel. The other will shatter if the whip shakes at all.

But even simpler... Just file a notch on the whip on either side with a
small file. Once you have a notch, use two pairs of vice grips to grab
either side of the notch and it should snap easily. Or use a vice and
pliers. The trick is to grap the whip as close to the notch as possible and
bend quickly. Then file to clean up the break.

With the notch methond, you can snap 1/8" 17-7 stainless fairly easily. You
won't snap big stuff, like 1/4" whips, but you're not likely to run into
them.

17-7 is common for whips, and by now you've probably discovered how tough it
is, and how quickly it ruins cutters and nips!



"James" wrote in message
net...
I need to "trim" the steel whip of a two meter antenna, and have not been
sucessful in finding an easy way to cut. Tried a vise-grip with its
close-in pinchers, and also tried a heavy duty pair of wire cutters, but
no
go.

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough
!!


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT

"James" wrote in message
net...
I need to "trim" the steel whip of a two meter antenna, and have not been
sucessful in finding an easy way to cut. Tried a vise-grip with its
close-in pinchers, and also tried a heavy duty pair of wire cutters, but
no
go.

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough
!!


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT



A 4" grinder works fine, but is really over kill.
A Dremel tool is just dandy, cut and round the end easily.
In the field, use a set of linemen pliers.
Put the antenna in the cutting portion, hit the top of the pliers on the
flat surface with a hammer.
Do it smartly and the cut is neat and clean.

K7SAM

Topaz305rk wrote:

What common tool can be used to do this ? This steel whip sure is tough

In the field, use a set of linemen pliers.

When I worked for a two-way radio company, we used to use a pair of
small bolt-cutters to trim antennas.

VK3ZMB