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:
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/

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

Good ideas, thanks to Andy and Leon.

I will try to borrow a dremel.

james

"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.

The bench grinder is the best tool for this.

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

Walt, W2DU

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/

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