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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: 1Longbow on February 27, 2017, 11:30:00 AM

Title: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: 1Longbow on February 27, 2017, 11:30:00 AM
What are you using to get a good square cut,when cutting aluminum arrows .Thank you for all answers
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: SC Bowhunter on February 27, 2017, 11:33:00 AM
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

Big Jim also sells the saw and replacement blades.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: creekwood on February 27, 2017, 11:54:00 AM
  (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/tubingcutter.jpg) (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/jalariso/media/tubingcutter.jpg.html)

Tubing cutter...$15 at Home Depot.  It works well and is easy to use.  (Use on aluminum shafts only)
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: crazynate on February 27, 2017, 12:12:00 PM
I use an arrow saw from 3rivers. It's made by Weston. I have the 8000 rpm motor. Works great on every kind of arrow. It's not as good as an apple or Easton but it's not 300 dollars either. I build dozens of arrows a week and it's great. Also Weston has the best customer service I've ever dealt with.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Mint on February 27, 2017, 12:44:00 PM
I use the tubing cutter too.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: 1Longbow on February 27, 2017, 01:15:00 PM
When using a tube cutter, crush the arrow in anyway?
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: on February 27, 2017, 01:29:00 PM
The tube cutter works, but you should not force it for the last couple of spins.  They do get dull after a few hundred cuts.  I use a diamond file to remove the bur and flatten the cut, it also helps to have a small round file to remove the bur and soften the edge on the inside of the shaft.  If you find that you are forcing the insert, you may be hanging up on shaft material and can seat your ferrule off center.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: on February 27, 2017, 01:49:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by 1Longbow:
When using a tube cutter, crush the arrow in anyway?
When I used to shoot aluminum, and before I bought a commercial arrow saw, I used the tubing cutter. It worked fine. I always used a chamfer tool on the shaft after I made a cut to smooth out and square off the cut.

Bisch
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: KevinK on February 27, 2017, 02:39:00 PM
Tubing cutter. Go slow and do not force it. After it is cut I use a counter bore bit in a screw driver handle to remove burs, just a couple turns is all it takes. I also use hot melt for the inserts so I can make sure everything is centered but have only had 1 or 2 not center perfectly.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: reddogge on February 27, 2017, 03:07:00 PM
Tubing cutter and reloading chamfer tool.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: DarrinG on February 27, 2017, 03:12:00 PM
Ive used both a cut off saw and a cheap tube cutter. Both work just fine with one simply being a lot quicker. I wouldn't invest in an expensive cut off saw just for personal use when a $10 tube cutter does a fine job.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Zradix on February 27, 2017, 03:31:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Tubing cutter and reloading chamfer tool.
X2
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Rough Run on February 27, 2017, 03:38:00 PM
Quote
Tubing cutter and reloading chamfer tool.

X3
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: T Lail on February 27, 2017, 03:47:00 PM
tubing cutter works for me....
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: PeteA on February 27, 2017, 04:29:00 PM
Tubing cutter here as well.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: ronp on February 27, 2017, 05:18:00 PM
Tubing cutter is all I use, too.  Then I remove any burr with a small round file. The key is going easy so you don't crush them.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: ronp on February 27, 2017, 05:19:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by ronp:
Tubing cutter is all I use, too.  Then I remove any burr with a small round file. The key is going easy so you don't crush them.
GO real easy. It's a thin piece of aluminum, not copper or black pipe!
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Kevin Lawler on February 27, 2017, 05:50:00 PM
I was fortunate to get one of these before they quit making them. This is not mine. I found it doing a google search.
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4810841
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: highlow on February 27, 2017, 06:35:00 PM
Yup. Tubing cutter is all I've ever used and as said, go slow making slight incremental turns on the tightening wheel. Should take about 30 seconds per shaft.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: M60gunner on February 27, 2017, 06:53:00 PM
I for years used an xacto miter box and saw. Then used a small flat file to square up shaft. Now I have the cheap cut off saw which works OK. Used the tubing cutter as well. A rat tail file usually cleaned up and issues from the cutting.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: shag08 on February 27, 2017, 07:33:00 PM
Tubing cutter here, too! My favorite thing about aluminum arrows...easy to cut and easy to reheat the hot melt to remove the insert when tuning the shafts.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Archie on February 27, 2017, 08:02:00 PM
Careful when deburring after using tubing cutter, that you don't make a ramp for the insert to jam inside of the shaft when the arrow hits something solid. The shoulder of the cut edge should ideally be 90° against of the lip of the insert when it's seated.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Bvas on February 27, 2017, 08:50:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Tubing cutter and reloading chamfer tool.
X4
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on February 28, 2017, 12:15:00 PM
The cutting tool works perfectly fine and I used it for years. However, I have Cabelas visa card and this winter I redeemed the points from it in order to get a Cabelas high speed arrow saw. It was around 160 bucks. So it's not the highest quality. But I will tell you this it is worth every cent. You can cut all arrow types in a matter of seconds. I can cut a dozen arrows in 5 minutes and start fletching. It is a lot of fun and a great investment especially for tuning arrows. I highly recommend investing in one.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: sancoon on February 28, 2017, 01:22:00 PM
harbor freighs 2" min cut off saw works great for the money
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Vesty on February 28, 2017, 02:31:00 PM
tube cutter
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: stevem on February 28, 2017, 02:46:00 PM
tube cutter