how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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


I use a small rotary grinder to cut a line around the whip and snap it apart in a vice.

--
Leon
A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard.
running Linux http://www.okv.ca/

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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


Dremel tools are your friend. Use a small abrasive disc wheel.

Andy
W4KDN

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

Good ideas, thanks to Andy and Leon.

I will try to borrow a dremel.

james

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

"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
!!

I usually use the side of a grinder wheel to cut it off. If I do not have
one handy, then I use a triangle shaped file. I often cut it part of the
way and then snap it off with the pliers. It usually takes bolt cutters to
cut the antenna and then the cut off piece goes out like a bullet.

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

The bench grinder is the best tool for this.

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

Leon, I'd prefer using a 'vise' rather than a 'vice'.

Walt, W2DU

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

walt wrote:
Leon, I'd prefer using a 'vise' rather than a 'vice'.

Walt, W2DU
That was my spell checker. It never heard of a vise.
Even now it is marking vise in red.

--
Leon
A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard.
running Linux http://www.okv.ca/

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

On Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:21:23 -0700, Leon Whyte
wrote:

walt wrote:
Leon, I'd prefer using a 'vise' rather than a 'vice'.

Walt, W2DU
That was my spell checker. It never heard of a vise.
Even now it is marking vise in red.

There's also something wrong with using a "bench grinder". Why would
you want to grind down the bench?

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

On Jul 18, 12:03*pm, "James" wrote:
Good ideas, thanks to Andy and Leon.

I will try to borrow a dremel.

james

Please ... treat yourself to your own Dremel. You'll always be glad
you did.

I bought my first Dremel under the Wards Powercraft name in the
1970s. I retrofitted
it with an Allied Radio Motor Speed Control and used it for decades.
A few years ago,
when the bearings began to sound funny, I bought a replacement. I
will NEVER be
without a working Dremel.

I have the additional collets (like the chuck on a drill) that allow
me to use tools
with smaller shafts (like surplus dental drills) and drill bits of any
size, down to a
# 80 drill bit. I have many dozens of attachments and even a little
Dremel drill
press.

"Sal"

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

Tom wrote:

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


Thanks !!


73 de Jim K4PYT



Hack saw

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

"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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

"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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

On 8/22/2010 10:59 AM, kb9rqz wrote:
wrote in message

I has used gavies flase teath a few time seem to make claen cut four me most
time weh i cut teh diaploes.


Hacksaw, the tool of professionals. Boltcutters work on the cheap SS
whips, but a good spring steel whip can divit bolt cutters. A carbide
cutting disk in a dremel tool or grinder is another option.

For those "tool challenged" a hacksaw blade with several wraps of duct
tape around one end will work.

Regards,
JS

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

"Pete" wrote in message
...
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

If you're talking a good quality whip, like one made from 6140, you will
ruin your pliers or even the best bolt cutters you can find. They may work
on cheap whips, like the ones on discount store CB antennas, but not on a
good quality whip. And it seems that some of the 'thinner' whips are
tougher than the thicker whips.

Notch it with a file or an impregnated fiberglass wheel on a rotary tool,
than bend it sharply and it should snap off clean. The harder the steel and
the more difficult it is to cut, it seems the more brittle it gets, and the
easier it is to snap.

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

John Smith wrote:
On 8/22/2010 10:59 AM, kb9rqz wrote:
wrote in message

I has used gavies flase teath a few time seem to make claen cut four
me most
time weh i cut teh diaploes.


Hacksaw, the tool of professionals. Boltcutters work on the cheap SS
whips, but a good spring steel whip can divit bolt cutters. A carbide
cutting disk in a dremel tool or grinder is another option.

For those "tool challenged" a hacksaw blade with several wraps of duct
tape around one end will work.

Regards,
JS


Sawzall!

how to cut whip of 2 meter antenna ?
 

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.