What do you use besides a saw? Dont freak out but I'm thinking about using my dremel tool. It's just a thought. What do you think?
i use a dremel tool setup, like the commercial arrow cutters just homade. i use it for wood alum and carbon. not sure what kind your wanting to cut. a good sharp knife works on wood but if im doing very many i use my dremel steup.
Harbor freight tools carries an excellent arrow cut-off tool. If I remember right it was under $25.
sorry...I forgot to mention I intend to cut carbon arrows. Thanks again.
Ok, I had this exact same question. I used to take my carbon and aluminum shafts to the local shop and get them cut to size...I did a couple searches on here and found lots of info. I just used my dremel and tape and got a good cut (wish I had tried before). Eventually, I want to build a more legitimate nice type of jig. There are plans on here if you search.
a dremel tool will work just fine, you dont need anything else, just put on one of the cutoff wheels and cut your carbons. i do mine free handed but some folks attatch them to boards and strap them down, but i use mine for taxidermy work so i keep mine freed up.
Yep, A Dremel works great.
These are handy if you don't cut alot. The saw must be a fine toothed modeler's saw.
(http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/22114_R.jpg)
A dremel tool will work fine. Just make sure if you are freehanding it to make a good square cut.
Dremmel on carbon and alum, on wood a good sharp filet knife for me.
Rustic,
If you don't need to do alot of arrow cutting, the helpful tips above will work fine. (I've tried them all!).
Carbons can be touchy, both cutting and tuning. (A 1/4" can make a difference). Sometimes, multiple cuts (trimming) might be necessary to get 'em just right. I finally went ahead and bought an Arrow Saw, a Weston from Bowhunters Superstore. For less than $120 inc. shipping, it is a good saw that I can use confidently & quickly to cut my arrows. Already feel like it's paid for itself.
Another nod to the dremel, have cut down a few dozen arrows the last few months playing with my set up and new bows and it works great. Great for trimming the dogs nails too, always a moment of tension for her when the grey box comes out. :thumbsup:
I shoot only aluminum arrows. When I cut my aluminum shafts, I just use a plain old tube cutter. I go slow when decreasing the diameter while rotating the tube cutter. Take a few minutes and it's done. Then I smooth the cut to take out the rough edge.
For field points I guess it doesn't matter; but for any arrow that might have a broadhead one day it's very VERY important that the shaft be cut square for alignment. I'm not sure how you would accomplish that with a dremel or handsaw without a jig or fixture of some sort.
i have cut carbons before with a file, just run the edge of the file across the shaft and keep rotating, makes a lot of carbon dust though, and works just fine in a pinch. a good eye can sqare the end up good enough.
I have used a dremel in a pinch
the higher the rpm the better (5000-8000 rpm are what most of the arrow saws are), and make sure you use the correct cut off wheel. The saw tooth type blades can splinter carbon. make the cut as square as possible. There are a ton of how-to's on the net about making a jig to use with a dremel and/or harbor freight cut off saw.