Cut-off saw: 5000 or 8000rpm?

Dusty Nethery · May 04, 2010, 05:43:00 PM

I'm getting ready to purchase a new cut-off saw and was wanting some opinions on why someone would need the 8000rpm?

I've always used the 5000 for cutting carbons only (which is what the new one will be used for, too) but thought there might be some advantage I was unaware of.

Ragnarok Forge · May 04, 2010, 06:16:00 PM

Not that I know of, mine is 3,000 rpm and cuts everything I put to it including carbons, aluminums and woods.

Dean Lintz · May 04, 2010, 06:29:00 PM

I purchased the 8000 rpm saw because am use to using apple pro saw at archery shop there is big difference between apple pro over customer grade saw. The customer grade does great job but take about twice as long as pro saw.

May 04, 2010, 06:51:00 PM

I have had a 5000 rpm saw for years and it has always worked perfectly on all types of shafting. I'm trying to imagine it being any faster than it is...

Taiga Recurve · May 04, 2010, 07:06:00 PM

can you use a band saw to cut carbons?

Paul Mattson · May 04, 2010, 07:41:00 PM

NO! on the Band Saw. Don't even try it.

I use the Apple Pro. Which saw are you looking at getting?

Dusty Nethery · May 04, 2010, 09:11:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by BadgerArrow:
NO! on the Band Saw. Don't even try it.

I use the Apple Pro. Which saw are you looking at getting?

I was looking at getting the inexpensive model from Cabela's which is manufactured by Weston I believe. I don't use a cut-off saw but maybe 3-4 times a year so I couldn't justify a Apple or Easton Elite. Unless someone's got a good reason why I should?

Dusty

vermonster13 · May 04, 2010, 09:28:00 PM

I use the Harbor Freight Mini Cut-Off saw. Costs under $30 and does fine for the amount of arrows I cut.

May 04, 2010, 09:38:00 PM

5000 for me. Never had a problem yet.

Bisch

Dusty Nethery · May 04, 2010, 09:46:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by vermonster13:
I use the Harbor Freight Mini Cut-Off saw. Costs under $30 and does fine for the amount of arrows I cut.

This piques my cheapskate side's curiousity. Have you ever had any problem with splintering/fraying. Also, do you just eyeball to keep the arrows square while cutting?

vermonster13 · May 04, 2010, 09:48:00 PM

I mark with a black marker to get my length, cut, then sand any mistakes off with one of the stones you get with Axis arrows. I roll the shaft a bit while cutting and don't have any splinter problems.

BSBD · May 05, 2010, 12:42:00 AM

Those Harbor Freight saws are junky little tools.
They're cheap but you get what you pay for.

I have an 8k Weston saw and have cut hundreds of carbons, aluminum and wood arrows with no problems. They aren't nearly as nice as an Apple Pro but they are decent quality for less than $90 new.

Jim Picarelli · May 05, 2010, 05:49:00 AM

I have a 5000rpm Weston and it cuts my carbons and alums just fine

wingnut · May 05, 2010, 07:08:00 AM

I built my own cutoff saw about 20 yrs ago using a sewing machine motor. It's 5000 rpm and works great. I've replaced the motor twice and have cut 1000s of arrows with it as it was in the bow shop for 5 yrs.

Last time I replaced the motor I used one from Harbor Freight. Not as high a quality as Singer but works great.

I think you could make one in less then an hour using the HF 3" cutoff.

Mike

Pete Arthur · May 05, 2010, 05:27:00 PM

I'll also endorse the Harbor Freight. Yes, it's cheap, but then again, I don't make arrows for a living so who cares?
Having said that, I haven't used it for Carbon shafts so I can't commment to that.

BOWMARKS · May 05, 2010, 06:33:00 PM

The cut off saw from Harbor Freight works for aluminumn,carbon and wood. It comes with a blade for cutting the wood shafts and the blades for the alum. and carbon.

Dusty Nethery · May 05, 2010, 08:29:00 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

Has anyone used or even heard of FS Archery's cut-off saw? I found it on sale for $69.99. It looks solid as it does not have any plastic parts whatsoever.

Also found the Weston saws on sale for $97.00 (5000) and $105.00 (8000).

vermonster13 · May 05, 2010, 08:46:00 PM

I've used the Harbor Freight on wood, carbon, alloy, and the carbon over alloy. It has worked fine for my needs, but I only usually do a dozen at a time and maybe 10-12 dozen a year. Use it a bit for nipping for tuning and it does great for that.

jonsimoneau · May 05, 2010, 11:26:00 PM

I don't know the brand of saw I have..but it was cheap. It's small and orange. I think I paid 20 bucks for it, and it has worked just fine for me. Then again...I only cut a dozen or 2 arrows each year with it...but I've had it for 7 years or so. Works for me.

JPE · May 06, 2010, 11:13:00 AM

We use the Apple pro at our shop 8000rpm I have found that for multi use it works best for us. Wood, Carbon and Alum.