Quick Start   Hints & Tips   Owners Page

Do I have to lubricate the tool? Where? How often?

It’s always a good idea to spray a very thin lubricant, such as WD-40™, on the head when you begin cutting. Just give it a quick spritz and wipe off any that gets on the handle. This keeps the head clean--the light lube will reduce friction and can significantly improve performance – faster cut times and more cuts on a charge. We recommend lubing roughly every time you recharge the battery, every 100 cuts or if it seems to be running slow.  Note: you cannot over-lube the geared head.

How do I begin using the UltraCut?

Follow these steps:

Lubricate the tool with a light lubricant such as WD-40™.

Make sure the battery is fully charged – green light on the charger is lit. To "condition" a new battery the first charge should be for 16 hours, and that it may take as many as 3 charge cycles to bring it to full charge. Once this first time "conditioning" is done, a fast charge of 1 hour should be adequate to recharge.

Insert the battery – note the arrow points forward for easy orientation

When you are first learning to use the tool, it’s a good idea to make sure the On/Off button is off at this point.

Open the door.

Select correct position of the “quick change” pin for ½” or ¾” tubing. The tool is shipped in the ½” position. Keep fingers away from the run button.
Place the tubing into the tool until it snaps in place. If you let go of the tubing at this point and it falls out, it was not snapped into place. Once you have done it, you will know what we are talking about.
Grab the tubing with your free hand so it cannot spin (if it’s in a pipe vise or otherwise held, it will be fine)  Keep the hand holding the tubing at least ½” back from the head so your knuckles do not get hit.

Turn on the tool – the light will come on – wait a few seconds for it to charge up. Once it’s charged it will stay charged for a long time. Even if they are not fully charged, no harm will be done. The tool will still run, just not cut quite as fast.

Hold the tool lightly. Press the run button.

When the cut is complete, release the “run” button. The head will stop and the door will be ready to be opened for the next cut.
 

What size/strength/type of tubing does the UltraCut™ cut?

The UltraCut cuts copper, aluminum, and mild steel tubing with ½” and ¾” nominal size, or outside diameters of 5/8" (.625) and 7/8" (.875). Also, 15mm and 22mm metric tubing in the same materials. Note: steel tubing should be no greater than .035 wall thickness.
 

Can I use it on conduit?

Only on conduit whose outside diameter is 5/8” or 7/8” (this is not common).

Does it cut stainless steel?

Yes, but only 5/8”(15mm) and  7/8” (22mm) O.D. and the tubing should be no greater than .035 wall thickness. Cut times will be longer since stainless is so tough.
 

Is the cutting wheel replaceable?

Yes it is.  Visit the UltraCut™ Owner's Page for information on parts & replacements.
 

Why does the head seem loose?

The head needs to float TruTrak™ in the bearings so the position of the cutter wheel on the tubing is determined by the spring, wheels and rollers and not the grip the user has on the handle. As a user, it makes sense to hold the handle pretty lightly to allow the tool to self-center. One of the design requirements was to make the tool capable of cutting in blind spots (inside a wall behind a cabinet, in the rafters in a basement, etc.). Having the head control the cutting allows us to do that.
 

Why can’t I change between tubing sizes?

This is another process where, once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy. First turn the power off. Then open the door. It is important to pull the quick change button straight out against the spring tension and keep it in that position as you move it to the other size (some folks find it easier to guide the roller assembly with a finger while turning the button 90 degrees, but please, only do this if the power is off). Make sure pin is the corresponding hole in the bottom of the gear head and the button is sitting all the way down in the slot before trying to use the cutter.
 

Troubleshooting…It won’t cut—why not?

Check these few things:

First, make sure the battery is charged. Out of the box it will not be. If you have a problem, it is good to put the battery in the charger for a good 16 hours--not just wait for the green light. When you have the battery in the tool, you should be able to see the arrow in its base pointing forward. If you see three silver buttons, you have the battery in upside down. Turn on the power (I/O) button. The light should come on.

Did you hear a good snap when you engaged the tubing? Is the tubing centered between the rollers? If you let go of the tubing at this point and it falls out, it was not snapped into place. Try it again. Once you hear it, you will know what we are talking about.

Did you change the tubing setting? First turn the power off. Then open the door. It is important to pull the button straight out and keep it in that position as you move it to the other size (see the drawing). Make sure the button is sitting all the way down in the slot before trying to use the cutter.

Make sure there is a battery in the tool and it is inserted properly. You should be able to see the arrow in the battery base pointing forward. If you see three silver buttons, you have the battery in upside down. We can’t tell you how many times the development team tried to test the tool and forgot to put in the battery.

For more information, visit the Hints & Tips Page.

 

What about replacement parts?

Visit the UltraCut™ Owner's Page for information on parts & replacements.

 

Quick Start   Hints & Tips   Owners Page