On Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:24:22 -0500, micky
wrote:

What tool would you use to cut the black hard rubber? top end off of a
car battery, the part that holds the plastic handle on? Hack saw,
eledtric sabre saw? Some sort of hot wire device? ??

And is this a bad idea for some reason?

The battery in there now has no handle, but at least 3 chain stores
around here, Autozone, Advance, and PepBoys, sell batteries that are
the same size and shape, even though they are different brand names..
And if I want as many CCA as I have now, the end willl make it even
harder to get the fuxse box cover off.

Is the fuse box cover your only concern? The last time I replaced a
fuse on a car was back in the early 70's. I'd not worry about it at
all.

If you are cutting a protruding lip, not a big deal, but if you are
cutting the actual case, I'd not touch it. Not worth the risk.

As you noted, battery case sizes are standard and every manufacturer
uses the same one. They should standardize more parts, filters,,
alternators, etc.