I just switched from alluminum arrows to carbon. I want to be able to cut them to length at home, especially when tuning a new set. I remember seeing an article a few years ago that talked about using a 3inch cut off saw from Harbor Freight tool store as a much cheaper alternative to a regular arrow saw. Has anyone out there tried one and how did it work?
I had one for a while and I thought it was pretty terrible, but there are folks here who will disagree. I now use a cut-off saw that I got from F&S Discount Archery-- I had to make a board to mount it and wire the plug but it works well, was pretty inexpensive and its 5000rpm will cut wood, aluminum and carbon for me.
I use the harbor freight cut off saw. It is cheap and will do the trick. I mounted it to a board and added an adjustable nock holder. I use the carbide blades, don't use the metal blade it comes with. The trick is to go slow with the cuts. I would love to get a nicer saw, but for $120 to $200 extra for the nicer saw, I will stick with the harbor freight model.
Dremel Multi-Max is the coolest tool I ever had. I use it with a piece of angle iron as a jig to cut arrow shafts. Plus I can use it for other tasks.
I have used a dremel and it worked well.
I have one of the Harbor Freight mini cutoff saws coming. If it doesn't work to my satisfaction, then I'll consider one of the higher priced ones. I've used my Dremel, but don't like it.
I've used the Harbor Freight saw for years now. No problems, can't beat 'em for the price.
I already had a wet tile saw with a diamond blade from a tile job I did a while ago. It cuts carbon shafts dry just fine.
I just picked one up from Harbor Freight this afternoon.. on sale for just under $25.00 right now..... The blade is a 2" blade with a 3/8" arbor.
It has holes pre-drilled in the base for mounting to a board..and I'll be making a length gauge.
I'm planning on removing the stock "fine tooth" blade.
For cutting carbon and alumimun I plan on using a composite blade, like those used for cutting metal in the larger cut off saws.
BTW, you will need to de-bur inside and outsides when cutting alumimun.
Gene
I had the same decision to make about 4 months ago. I used a Dremel tool but that took too much time to get a perfectly square cut. I considered the Harbor Freight but read too many bad reviews. To avoid spending $35 for something that didn't work, I bought a 5000 rpm arrow saw for either $79 new. I don't know if I would have been happy with the HF, but I am very happy with the Weston arrow saw. And I only had to spend money once.