Not sure why this is so complicated, but I've always cut these using a sharp 
retractable break-away knife (aka: box-cutter).  I punch a hole near one edge 
and slice thru the tube while adding pressure on the tube such that it opens 
the cut part.

Cheers,
-Neil.



On Wednesday 25 May 2005 11:51 am, Jan-Erik Soderholm scribbled:
> Martin K wrote :
> > Jan-Erik Soderholm wrote:
> > > Hi.
> > > I've just got a batch of surplus components (mostly power MOSFET's)
> > > that I'm going to sell. Each tube has 50 (TO220) MOSFET's and I
> > > thought of cutting them into lots of 25 or 10.
> > >
> > > Now, how do you cut tube (the clear plastic types) ?
> > >
> > > A hot kanthal ("resistor") wire ?
> > >
> > > A knife or similar will leave rough edges, as far as I've seen.
> > >
> > > Best Regards,
> > > Jan-Erik.
> >
> > A hack (metal) saw or a metal bandsaw on high speed is what
> > I would recommend. You aren't going to get professional
> > results unless you cut  them with a shear which is what the
> > manufacturer uses.
>
> Hi.
> I forgot to day that I'm hoping to find a method where the mosfet's
> can stay in the tube, that's why I thought about the hot kanthal wire
> method. I have to experiment a little with that. It's also easier that
> way to ge the right lenght, since the components themself will be the
> reference...
> Or maybe it's easier to just sell them in lots of 50 (or whatever
> makes up a full tube...) :-)
>
> > What kind of MOSFETs?
> >
> :-)
>
> This isn't [AD], but since you asked politely... :-)
>
> At least the following types (and aprox quantities) :
>
> IRF540, N-chan 100V / 28A (a couple of 100s)
> IRF9640, P-chan -200V / -11A (a couple of 100s)
> IRFB9N60A, N-chan 600V / 9.2A (aprox 550)
> Intersil 75643P, N-chan 100V / 75A (aprox 21.000)
> IXYS IXFX55N50, N-chan 500V / 55A (Digikey: $23.80/ea. Aprox 1.100)
>
> All TO220 (IXYS : "Plus247")
> Data codes normaly 01 or 02.
>
> If there is any interest from the piclist members, I might
> come up with a "list-price", so to speak. Or simply make
> me an offer (amount from 1 and up). Data codes normaly 01-02.
>
> Now over to cutting the tubes... :-)
>
> Jan-Erik.


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