muggs Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 I bought a dozen new shafts, nocked and wrapped them. Before I start to fletch, I need to cut about 4" off each of them. If I can DIY something, I usually will. I looked online a bit, saw some guys cut them with a metallic pipe cutter. I tried that, very slow and steady on an old arrow and it did an okay job, but I'm not happy with it. You guys got any other methods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 If you've got a Dremel with the thin cutting blades, that would probably work. It's something I may try out this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnatecsteve Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 You can get a cheap die grinder from WalMart with a cutting blade. Ive thought about making a jig for mine to do this, but havent had to buy carbons for quite some time. I usually have the local pro shop do it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DropTine49 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I cut my own at work where we have the device, but with anything with a thin cutting wheel where you can build a jig with clamps will work just the same. We use a torch to heat the inserts to make the glue turn loose so we can use the same, then put them back in with a 2 part epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Muggs 2 problems here. #1 is safety. If the arrow splinters you may end up with carbon in your hand when u shoot them. #2 is squaring the cut. If the face isn't square the arrows will never shoot straight. I actually have my own saw at home as well as using a G5 ASD after cutting them. A lot of guys get away with using a chop saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Shooter Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Muggs 2 problems here. #1 is safety. If the arrow splinters you may end up with carbon in your hand when u shoot them. #2 is squaring the cut. If the face isn't square the arrows will never shoot straight. I actually have my own saw at home as well as using a G5 ASD after cutting them. A lot of guys get away with using a chop saw. Agree, you need the high speed saw to cut carbon, those guys using a pipe cutter were more than likely cutting aluminum arrows which is fine. With the carbon you will have the splinters and a great risk to you. The money it cost you to have them cut correctly is far cheaper than the doctor bill it'll cost to remove the splinters from your hand/arm. Also, using any type of hand tool (ie. Drimmel) will not give a good square end for your insert and broadhead. It might cut clean enough but you can not hold the tool in the same position everytime by hand and will have very inconsistant arrows. I have my own arrow saw, and know alot of folks can't get their own but I wold recommend to you going and having them cut at a local shop. Especially for safety's sake on your end, and accuracy sake on the bow end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob LeBlanc Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Again on the safety aspect... When cutting graphite shafts, wear a dust mask. Breathing in graphite is not good... Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Agree, you need the high speed saw to cut carbon, those guys using a pipe cutter were more than likely cutting aluminum arrows which is fine. No, they're cutting carbon arrows...but like I said, I didn't like the results. I did it on an older arrow to see what it would do and it was a clean, square cut. But to hutchies point- not sure how that would affect the arrow as far as potential splinters etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 (edited) I do have an archery shop about 6 miles from my house, I just like doing stuff on my own if at all possible. I think eventually I might breakdown and spend the $100 for an arrow saw...I'm just now getting into building my own arrows though. Haven't had the need yet. Edited February 14, 2011 by muggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Most good pro shops will cut your arrows or shafts to length at no charge if you purchase them there. I wouldn't think the charge to cut them would be that much. Just for peace of mind it would be worth it. I don't have any experience cutting carbons. Never had the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I thought about getting a saw, but it's cheaper to just get them cut at an archery shop. I don't blow through a 12 dozen arrows a year so yea. i would not try and cut them with something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Heard of guys using dremels with a jig, suppose it could work, not sure if I would try it. Considered a saw here, may get one one of these days, one of those things I would like to have. Last I checked there were some decent deals on saws on ebay, just be sure to check stores policies if you do buy there. Some ebay stores/sellers have screwed up return policies, check em out closely before buying. Shops are nice and all, but when the closest one is 35-45 minutes away it can be inconvenient, closest place we have is a gander mountain and not a fan of their service at that store. Cabelas used to cut shafts with online and catalog purchases, I bought a couple dozen from them probably 7 or so years ago, too bad they don't cut them anymore. Went to bemans a couple years ago and got a dozen of those from bowhunterssuperstore online, they cut them for me, but they were not exactly perfectly square. I would not buy anything from that place ever again. Took a bit of time with a stone working them by hand to get them squared before I glued in the inserts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Here is video on how to make an arrow saw. http://huntingny.com/forums/index.php/topic,390.0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Muggs I picked up this new arrow saw on EBay for like $65 shipped. They are made quite well and work great also. A cheaper alternative to other arrow saws. This is the 4th year my son and I (plus all his friends:rolleyes:) have been using it. My son Joe will be cutting Easton Full Metal Jacket(carbon wrapped aluminum 10.4gpi) arrows with it tomorrow. His new shafts just came in. We like to do as much as possible ourselves also, fletching also. I look at the saw like an investment. We have 3 bow shooters here in this home so it paid for me to buy it. Weigh out your options as to buying a saw or having them cut for you. Harbor Freight sells the exact saw(mini chop saw with vice) on my arrow saw for $20-25 but it comes without the table for the saw. Also as said earlier...the G5 arrow squaring device is highly recommended. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowin_in_illinois Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Our shop charges 50cents per arrow to cut and insert them. $6 per dozen is cheap to make sure they are done properly and safely. For Safety sake...either buy a proper arrow cutting saw, or use your local shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 A dremel will work quite well if you build a jig to hold it and your arrow. An ASD will get them square if the jig isn't perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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