Cutting Carbons

[warnie]

Simple question, what is the best, no fancy tools way to trim carbon shafts. Thanks for those who can clear this up for me.

[maxy]

Hey Warnie,

I use an angle grinder to cut mine, doesnt do a bad job.

Maxy

[pete w]

You can make a saw from a sewing machine motor for next to nothing. use ZIP cut blades{ 3/64" } thick or thinner. A dremmel tool will cut them too.

I have plans on my site for making the saws.

[Sparra]

I use a junior hacksaw for mine.....Just score the arrow all the way around before cutting right through....
Reagrds...Sparra

[black sabbath]

A very fine blade hacksaw works fine

[barebow]

I use a Dremel tool,makes a nice neat cut.

[barebow]

I set mine up in a vice and the arrow gets pushed against the wheel on the flat surface of the bench and I get a straight,neat cut.

[Warlocke]

I made up an arrow cutting jig which I use an angle grinder with.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/Warlocke/Arrow6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/Warlocke/Arrow5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/Warlocke/Arrow4.jpg

I buy thin cutting blades from the local hardware store and just run the blade flush with the angle iron then sand the edges off after cutting.

This jig has cut hundreds of arrows and still works well.

Still haven't got around to making a slide arrangement for the angle grinder.

One day.

[timbo]

Would one of the circular cutter that plumbers use for cutting copper pipe work? Or would twisting it around the shaft damage the shaft?

Tim

[hunting_mainiac]

the pipe cutter things that plumbers use are only good for alloy shafts ., useless on carbon. :)

[pete w]

Do not use hacksaws.They destroy the inside of the shaft, even when the outside looks good.

[Barry]

I use a Dremel tool attached to a drop saw attachement for an angle grinder.

The arrow ists between 3 sets of ball bearnings on wooden blocks so that it is supported and rotates smoothly.

Drop the blade about 1/3 of the way through then spin the arrow. This eliminates the ragged edge you can get by cutting straight through.

When I get a change I will take some pics:

Cost:

Dremel 'alternative' from Bunnings (or supercheap) $40
Drop saw attachement $20 Super Cheap
Bearings (stolen from sons old roller skates)

I just use a sliding bracket for the measurement, quick accurate and neat.

[Wareagle]

I just use an Easton arrow cutter :( :D

[terry prowse]

I use a small ($6.50) pipe cutter and I've cut about 600 arrows with no problems. Place where you want to cut and screw down till just some pressure, turn a couple of turns to make line and check that its straight, turn one more turn tighter and do another 2 turns around arrow, then turn down one last time and 2 arround arrow and will cut perfactly clean ready for noks. dont use this cut end at the pointy end! After using all sorts of mecanical cutters I find that THIS IS BEST BY FAR!!!!!! :twisted:

[Barry]

Sorry mate been moving house for the last 3 weeks, damn it sucks!!!!

As soon as I can dig it out I will take the pics I promise :wink:

[Sparra]

Gaday Terry and welcome to the site...Do you use a pipe cutter on carbons???? :shock: :shock:
Reagards...Sparra

[pete w]

Terry, You cut 50 dozen carbons with a pipe cutter and no problems??????

When you say "dont use this cut end at the pointy end!" it says it all. If there are no problems you can use any end for the pointy end. obviously there are problems.

Pipe cutters crush the shaft and fibers.!! They start the splinter process and it only can get worse.They are not the tool to use, just like hack saws are not the tool to use.Hack saws tear the carbon fibers.

Many novices read these posts and try to do what they read, only to have disasterous results.

[Jon]

Thanks Pete W for putting it strait.
I'm a novice that looks to this site "for how to do's"
Won't be running out to buy a hack saw or pipe cutter to
ruin my new carbons, and the chance of receiving a nice
big black splinter through the hand.
thanks again. :D

[Willy_R]

Don't wish to sound condescending here but doesn't anybody order their shafts cut to length from whom they purchase them ?

Makes life a lot easier and safer ! Alloys with the pipe cutter is Ok but, the Old carbons can be a nightmare if not correctly done.
I realise there must be thousands out there already cut in every way known.
If you have no choice in using a Hack saw try putting something inside the Shaft like dowel that's a fairly good fit or flyscreen rubber & tape the outside of the shaft were you intend to cut with masking tape, then make sure the end you put the insert into is square or the arrow wont fly as true as it should.

This is the Measurement you need to give the shop when ordering your arrow shafts but remember they will blame you if you give them the wrong length !.
http://www.picturehosting.com/images/Willy099/arroworderlenght.jpg

Cheers Willy_R 8)

[brian McLeod]

I'm a toolmaker so I don't see the need to complicate this but gee some of you make this easy task sound difficult , I agree forget the pipe cutters and hack saws , a grinder is the appropriate tool for cutting carbon ( we used to use grinders on F18s when I was in the RAAF).
I made a clamp by drilling a shaft sized hole through a 50mm cube of hardwood then cut it in half along the length of the hole.
Hold the shaft to be cut in this block and use the angle grinder with a thin wheel. use the grinder gently and you get an arrow end square with its axis.
A word about correct personal protection use glasses and a mask, little grinding discs blow to bits(especially if the kids have had it since you last did) and carbon dust is not at all good for your lungs/sinuses.

[Wareagle]

Here is a couple of pics. of my Easton arrow cutter[/img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/Purka/arrowcutter001.jpghttp://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/Purka/arrowcutter002.jpg
AS you can see ,I hope,the stop does'nt have to be real precise, its quite a large, shallow,tapered hole,with a stop. what makes the cut on the arrows perfect, is the rolling of the arrow into the blade, on a shelf.you also, only want the blade to cut approx. 1/3 into the shaft.

[Wareagle]

Sorry guys I stuffed that up a bit, I have a lot to learn about computers.

[Willy_R]

Wareagle

They are a top cutter I've had mine since Noah was a small boy !
I just recently purchased a new Apple saw also not as Robust as the Easton saw but does a good job.

Mate they are great pics, with my blurry vision there crystal clear ! :)

Cheers
Willy_R 8)

[XTfreak]

Don't wish to sound condescending here but doesn't anybody order their shafts cut to length from whom they purchase them ?

As you very well know I do, especially carbons. And as you know its not because I dont have anything to cut them with, its because you dont have enough to do at work. :D
Bill