Is a dremel tool adequate to cut cable housing?
 

I just got my girlfriend some new handle bars, after I installed it. I realized that she will need longer cables and housing. But I don't want to spend another $34 for cutters that I will use once. Has anyone used a dremel tool instead? Does it work well?

Dremel with a cutoff wheel will do just fine.

+1. Just work slowly and dip the housing end in cold water periodically to keep the heat from melting the plastic cover.

I hold the end of the cable where I want to cut with pliers that have a slightly rounded jaws. The housing sits nicely in the rounded jaws. I then use the dremel and just use the pliers themselves as a guide to slice though the housing. The end of the housing that is going to be used is the part I put in the jaws.

Because the jaws of the pliers hold the housing very still and without crushing, the dremel does a very nice clean cut without fraying or damage.

zzzzzzing!

Have an awl or similar tool handy to ream out the opening in the housing while the plastic lining is still warm and soft from being cut.

If you've got some old cable, you can cut the housing with the old cable in it. Pull out old cable, and you're done.

The only complain i have about the dremel is the bits and metal dust that comes outta of it, be careful and use glasses to protect your eyes. Thats why i bought the tool to cut cables.

And it's fun to watch the sparks fly.

great idea !!