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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: CJC on December 23, 2007, 07:39:00 AM

Title: cutting carbon
Post by: CJC on December 23, 2007, 07:39:00 AM
what is the best and most accurate way to cut carbon arrows?  they make a cutter but its 250 bucks through 3rivers or lancaster.  the hand held dremel seems sketchy.
thanks -christopher
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: Pete W on December 23, 2007, 07:50:00 AM
You can use a jig with a dremmel. or make a saw from a sewing machine motor.
There are plans on my site for the sewing machine motor.
A 5" x 7/8 Zip Disc can be mounted to a bench grinder, or a table saw too.

Tube cutters and hack saws and files ruin the shafts, but someone will tell you that is what they use.

Pete
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: deertraks on December 23, 2007, 07:51:00 AM
I use a little cut off saw from Harbor Freight.  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: bretto on December 23, 2007, 07:53:00 AM
I just bought one of the mini mitre saws at Harbour freight. Everyone says they work great. Haven't had time to try it out yet. I think total price after tax was $28.00.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: bretto on December 23, 2007, 07:54:00 AM
I type to slow!!
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: LV2HUNT on December 23, 2007, 08:33:00 AM
I have the Harbor Freight one as well and it cuts perfect on carbon or aluminum.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: Stone Knife on December 23, 2007, 09:02:00 AM
I just use a 4" grinder with a regular cutter blade in it. I use a block of wood for a guide.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: longbowben on December 23, 2007, 09:59:00 AM
Thanks deertraks i am ordering one.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: oldtimerbow on December 27, 2007, 12:42:00 PM
Thanks for the info deertraks.I just got one coming my way.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: Cupcake on December 27, 2007, 12:48:00 PM
I have the Harbor Freight saw and it works fine.  Question: do you use the toothed steel blade?  I bought some 3" cut-off wheels that one can get from McMaster-Carr or MSC for cutting non-ferrous metal and carbon.

I posted pictures last year of a jig I made that uses a Dremel.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: JBiorn on December 27, 2007, 12:54:00 PM
Harbor Freight all the way.

longbowben-----There is a Harbor Freight store here in Boise, do you need me to pick one up for you? Might be faster than ordering through the calalog.

Jeff
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: BFinegan on December 27, 2007, 12:55:00 PM
I purchased a 5000 rpm from Cabelas this fall. Paid $100.00. It's cutting my carbons fine.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: beendare on December 27, 2007, 04:22:00 PM
Nothing will cut those carbons perfect. After using an arrow cutoff saw I made a jig to hold the shaft perfectly square to an end block with 320 sandpaper.

If you spin your carbon shafts on a jig like this you will be amazed how consistently straight your broadheads are.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: Jedimaster on December 27, 2007, 04:29:00 PM
Hee-hee! I'm as giddy as a school girl! I've been wanting/dreading buying a arrow saw for some time. This is the kind of stuff that I can count on trad-ganger's for. Very cool deertraks, any other secrets you holdin' out?
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: Mike Byrge@home on December 27, 2007, 04:38:00 PM
I use a tubing cutter...the same one I used to cut aluminum shafts.  I tried it on a broke shaft once and it worked fine so that is what I've been using since.
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: deertraks on December 27, 2007, 09:07:00 PM
When I bought my saw they didn't have any 2" abrasive blades, I had to order some. After I cut the shaft, I use a G5 squaring tool on the shaft and then the insert after I glue it in. This makes a broadhead spin really true.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: cutting carbon
Post by: JRY309 on December 28, 2007, 12:16:00 PM
I use the Harbor Freight mini saw,made a jig out of some wood with a stop for repeatable cuts.I made the stop block adjustable for different lengths.I used a chamfer tool to make a tapered hole in the stop block like other cut-off saws.That way I start the saw cutting into the shaft and then rotate the shaft the cut all the way around.I makes a square cut that way and I still use the G5 squaring tool to be sure.The  saw was $19.95 and the jig was from scraps around my garage.Works great on carbon and aluminum.