Broke my brand new tubing cutter

[whateg01]

Imperial for copper Ridgid for steel hackzall hacksaw or band for conduit. Then linemans or klien conduit reamer.

I hope their standalone reamer is better than this

 

[neophyte]

Yes. Correct.
The piece that broke appears to be made of plastic. It is the piece which holds the "debur" tool.

And HERE is why it is exactly the wrong material to use:

^ That's it right there.
And what does @Beerhippie do with that cutter when the job's done?
Does he very carefully lay it gently into the "Bucket Buddy" so as not to disturb any of the other tools or create any more dust?
Or
Just toss the thing into the bucket and say "Time for a beer?"

Other than the handle, putting a piece of plastic on that tool is only going to result in tool failure.

Whoever designed that thing simply failed to "read the room" and understand his prospective customer was not about to treat it gently - he's working on the clock.

The plastic was likely used as bearing material, with low friction, that avoided having to make a significantly mire expensive method of allowing the deburring blade to easily spin.
Rothenberger, and Virax, and some other high end plumbing tool brands make similar cutters, with similar deburring tools, also mounted in plastic, slide out fittings.
With Rothenberger and Virax, it is likely that you can purchase replacement parts.

 

[bonneyman]

Somebody mention tubing cutters?

The CS mini is my favorite for small tubing uses.

 

[PCustoms]

I think we've all been overlooking an important part of the OP:

I needed to cut some conduit to fit in the car for the ride home from Lowe's, so I bought a new Klein cutter, then left without buying any conduit! Doh!

Sounds like **** I'd do. Go for A, but also make a mental list of other items "while in there". Get all the other stuff, get back home and realize I never got "A"...

I started keeping a checklist on my phone

 

[whateg01]

I think we've all been overlooking an important part of the OP:



Sounds like **** I'd do. Go for A, but also make a mental list of other items "while in there". Get all the other stuff, get back home and realize I never got "A"...

I started keeping a checklist on my phone

I had a list on my phone, actually a picture of the written list. But I guess once I got distracted by looking for something to cut the conduit with, I forgot about it.

The plastic was likely used as bearing material, with low friction, that avoided having to make a significantly mire expensive method of allowing the deburring blade to easily spin.
Rothenberger, and Virax, and some other high end plumbing tool brands make similar cutters, with similar deburring tools, also mounted in plastic, slide out fittings.
With Rothenberger and Virax, it is likely that you can purchase replacement parts.

That holex one looks a lot like the Klein. Different contours but same idea. I might look into what they offer.

 

[PCustoms]

I had a list on my phone, actually a picture of the written list. But I guess once I got distracted by looking for something to cut the conduit with, I forgot about it.

Keep notes:



Had to get in the habit of double checking before checkout, otherwise would do the same as you.

As soon as I think "I need..." I go out it in the phone. Got a few lists, one for each store

 

[whateg01]

Keep notes:



Had to get in the habit of double checking before checkout, otherwise would do the same as you.

As soon as I think "I need..." I go out it in the phone. Got a few lists, one for each store

I used to use the checklist but got to where I hated having to get my phone to add stuff, or I would find something I needed and not have my phone handy so I would just write it on whatever was closest. Probably ought to go back to it, but generally the photo works. I could just as easily place check marks on the pic as I get stuff but I still have to remember to do it.

 

[drmarkr]

I‘m glad I have 2 of these that I picked up at garage sales for a couple of bucks each.
This is an obviously superior design.

Me as well. Are you guys saying that they don't sell these anymore? I've had mine for a couple of decades so I guess I've never needed to look for a new one. But that plastic ********? Throw it in the trash, lol

 

[Wamsutta]

How about the Ridgid Model 15?

Now you're talking about real tools there.

 

[whateg01]

Easy to see why they made it from plastic. Ultimately, it's cheaper. To put some sort of ball bearing in there for the detent would have added "a lot" to the cost. I work for a manufacturer, so I do understand how that works.

Maybe instead of remaking the whole thing, I'll turn the socket from steel and epoxy it into the plastic so the flexure can still work.

 

[four.cycle]

it's cheaper.

^ that's it in a nutshell.

The old English expression was "Penny wise and Pound foolish".

Plastic has its place.
There are places where plastic has no place.
This is 100% about cost-cutting. The trade-off is a tool of lesser quality.
For the same reasons Ford Motor Company installing a plastic handle on the tailgate of the Ranger was a dumb-*** idea, putting this plastic "pivot" thingie on a hand tool is a dumb-*** idea.
Another black mark for Klein.

But... it's not my problem. I own probably 3 or 4 or those things, and I can't remember the last time I used one.

 

[Vinny]

Do you use the wheels for steel tubing or just the regular ones meant for copper?

Never tried cutting sanitary SS with my Rigids--but it would make a very square cut.

We buy specialty wheels, depending on the material we're cutting.

 

[KnurledNut]

Do you use the wheels for steel tubing or just the regular ones meant for copper?

Never tried cutting sanitary SS with my Rigids--but it would make a very square cut.

A local supply house is a Ridgid distributor and they carry both the standard and heavy duty cutting wheels. They buy them in bulk packs and sell them loose/individually. They get them cheaper this way instead of the hang tag blister packs you see online, and they pass the savings on to the customer. The HD wheels are not much more than the standard wheels so I just use them for everything. One thing I like about Ridgid is that you can store an extra blade in some of their handles. Looks like Klein copied that too.

 

[whateg01]

One thing I like about Ridgid is that you can store an extra blade in some of their handles. Looks like Klein copied that too.

When I removed the knob, I thought that's a funny looking washer!

 

[Jgaz]

If you're going to use a tubing cutter a lot. Bite the bullet and get a real Rigid or Imperial Eastman.
Add close quarter cutters as needed especially for brake lines.

My double flare and cutter set is an Imperial rebranded as Mac bought in the later 70’s.
Over the years I’ve added a couple smaller cutter and keep spare cutter wheels “in stock”.

This set has made 100’s of cuts and many dozens of double flares.
Rusted out brake lines were a common repair item when I wrenched in Michigan.

 

[Shoreline_]

You need the 1776 edition

 

[four.cycle]

If you're going to use a tubing cutter a lot. Bite the bullet and get a real Rigid or Imperial Eastman.

and

You can find decent used cutters (and especially flaring tools) crazy cheap on ebay.

Or... check "Classifieds"

 

[redwrench60]

Wing that garbage in the trash can and buy a Ridgid or Imperial.

For tubing cutters, Klein Milwaukee Lennox and whatever else basically **** for anything but occasional use.