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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Gator1 on September 15, 2011, 07:57:00 AM

Title: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Gator1 on September 15, 2011, 07:57:00 AM
O.K. guys, it just cost me $1.25 eaach, to have an inch zipped off three aluminum arrows.  :scared:  

At even a buck a piece, I'm looking for a cheap and easy tool, to cut my own alumminums...

I was thinking of a cut off wheel for my hand grinder, and some sort of a hole drilled to use as a guide.

Any ideas????
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: ti-guy on September 15, 2011, 08:03:00 AM
Grinder or dremel.Plumber pipe cutter but you have to go gently to prevent too much squeeze.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: moebow on September 15, 2011, 08:04:00 AM
Gator,  No substitute for an arrow cut off saw but a grinder with a thin blade or a dremel tool will work.  You just need to be sure to cut perfectly square.  Easton does not recommend a tubing cutter although many here use one.  They can tend to crush the shaft if you are not careful.

If you live near me you can come cut arrows anytime.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: JRY309 on September 15, 2011, 08:11:00 AM
I use my same Harbor Freight mini cut off saw that I use on carbons.But have used a small tubing cutter years ago before I had a saw.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: KodiakMag on September 15, 2011, 08:12:00 AM
Here, this works for the once in a great while I use aluminum.

 http://www.3riversarchery.com/Tube+Cutter_i5612_baseitem.html
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Eric Sprick on September 15, 2011, 08:30:00 AM
I use a tubing cutter.  Like has been said be careful and go slow. There will be a slight burr on the inside edge of the shaft which is easily removed with twist of the reamer.

Good luck, Eric
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: RM81 on September 15, 2011, 08:54:00 AM
A tube cutter and a deburring tool (used for reloading ammo).  Cost me about $15 total.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: ishiwannabe on September 15, 2011, 08:58:00 AM
A small pipe cutter works just as well. You can find them in most hardware stores. Same thing applies, slow and easy, and they will need to be deburred.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Night Wing on September 15, 2011, 09:08:00 AM
I also use a small tubing cutter. You can get them at any hardware store (ACE, etc).
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Recurve50 LBS on September 15, 2011, 09:09:00 AM
Hey Mitch,
I have used a small plumbing tubing cutter long before I bought my arrow saw. Tubing cutter works well. Any questions feel free to PM me.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: landman on September 15, 2011, 09:12:00 AM
I use a mini pipe cutter and it's perfect and very easy to use.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: T-Bone on September 15, 2011, 10:33:00 AM
Again, go with a small tube cutter.  3 rivers sells them for about ten dollars and they work great!  However, there is a small trick to using them.  Do not over tighten them, just snug it and start twisting for 5-6 turns.  Once the circular blade bites into the alluminum, snug it again and twist for 5-6 twists.  Keep repeating this until it cuts.  It usually takes this past step ubout 2-3 times to make an even cut with hardly any burs.  Buy a 3 rivers arrow cutter which is just a small tube cutter for arrows. You will be glad you did.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Dave Paradowski on September 15, 2011, 10:37:00 AM
I also use a small tubing cutter. I also insert a steel rod or the round end of a drill bit in the end of the shaft. It has to be a good fit. This will elliminate any possible compression on the end of the shaft.
DaveP
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: joe skipp on September 15, 2011, 11:27:00 AM
Mitch...send me all the arrows you want cut. I kept my cut off tool...I'll do them for you in the future.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: WESTBROOK on September 15, 2011, 11:56:00 AM
I use a tubing cutter, clean the burr with the tang of a file and file the end nice and smooth.

Eric
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: bosteldr on September 15, 2011, 12:58:00 PM
If you are cheap like me...Grab the hacksaw off of the peg board.  Cut arrow to length, use a file to even up the cut.  Install inserts.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: KentuckyTJ on September 15, 2011, 01:16:00 PM
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/cut-off-saws/bench-top-cut-off-saw-42307.html
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Archie on September 15, 2011, 01:16:00 PM
Tubing cutter.  I go slow and tighten a bit every 5 or 6 revolutions.  Works just fine, and absolutely no damage or crushing of the shaft.  Cheap and easy.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: BOWMARKS on September 15, 2011, 07:01:00 PM
I hope you told him where to put the cut off's.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Bud B. on September 15, 2011, 11:08:00 PM
Small tube cutter. The smallest one you can find.

And like the others have already stated, light pressure and many twists around the arrow. I have had zero issues this way. Then I take some med grit sandpaper on the tip of my finger and put the arrow tip to it and twist it a few times to rid the burrs if there are any.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: JDunlap on September 15, 2011, 11:32:00 PM
small tubing cutter and  pocket knife to ream it out..
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Over&Under on September 15, 2011, 11:33:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ishiwannabe:
A small pipe cutter works just as well. You can find them in most hardware stores. Same thing applies, slow and easy, and they will need to be deburred.
Best cheapest way I know how Mitch...did it for years with no problems.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: rdoggsilva on September 16, 2011, 02:16:00 AM
Same as the others, small pipe cutter and go slow and easy.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Dave Worden on September 16, 2011, 09:43:00 AM
I use a tubing cutter and then sand the end square with my stationary disc sander.  It takes and deformation off and insures a square end.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: RkyMtn Joe on September 16, 2011, 12:29:00 PM
Yep---I vote for the tube cutter too---been using one for many, many years and never crushed ashaft yet.  Some people must be in a terrible hurry if they feel the need to exert that much pressure to cut a shaft.  Also, I think many of the people who have that problem are probably unused to using tools of any sort.

Ever watch any of the "home improvement" shows on the DIY or H&G channels.  They'll have people on there supposedly doing all kinds of serious work and it is obvious they don't even know how to hold the tools they're "using"---some of them are a scream.
Title: Re: Cutting Aluminum Arrows
Post by: Shakes.602 on September 16, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
Well, it may not be "According to Hoyle" but  "Mr. Frugal"  here went to the Hardware Store and Bought a  Good Small Tube Cutter , and cut the Suckers M'Self!!  :thumbsup: