Cutting Aluminum Shafts

[Talondale]

I just ordered some aluminum shafts for this season and Easton has changed over to the 300, 340, 400, 500 size designation for GamegetterII shafts and I was told the 340 would substitute for my 2016 shafts.  I didn't have them cut the shafts because I wasn't confident the spine would be the same.  I'd like to bare shaft them to make sure what length works best.  I don't have a high speed cutter.  What's the best way for me to cut my shafts square?  Can I use a plumbing pipe cutter?  (I'm not sure I could get it square)

[George D. Stout]

Yikes....I think that is a tad stiff for a 2016 comparison.  I think 500's would be closer.

Anyway....I cut all of mine with an 8.00 tubing cutter I bought at the hardware store.  It works great.  Not high speed by any stretch, but in about ten minutes you can have a dozen cut precisely.

[Bowspirit]

Indeed...I think 340's are closer to 2315's...

[adeeden]

I was told that the 500 are 2016. I also use a tubing cutter like George!

[Cupcake]

Bowspirit is correct.  2315s are 342 to be exact.  A 2016 is 531; whereas, a 2114 is 510.  I think the GGII is one of these, a quick diameter measurement will tell.

I tubing cutter works pretty well but a cheap one can spiral down the shaft if you are not careful.  This is not a pleasant experience.

If you look at an Easton catalog the deflections of all of the aluminums are in there.

Kevin

[Talondale]

Yikes, you're right. It says 2315 components right on the shaft.  That salesman gave me a bum steer.  I was caught off gaurd because everywhere I saw it listed it had the old school sizing.  Let's see how good customer service is.

[Talondale]

Well customer service came through and they are sending me a set of 500's and a return label for 340's.  What I have for cutting is this:
 
Should do ok?

[Mr.Magoo]

Same thing I use to cut my alum., no problems.

[58WINTERS]

Harbor Freight has a mini chop saw for under $30.00 that does a great job on all arrow materials.

[Hot Hap]

500=2016----400=2117----340=2315----300=2317-Hap

[Dan Worden]

You have agood cutter. Just go slow qwith lots of turns. If you're not careful you can crush the wall.

[Kevin Lawler]

I use a pipe cutter. I also bought a Lyman arrow deburring tool that works great. It's kinda like a hand held case trimmer. Don't remember what I paid for it but I would sell it for $100.

[Dave Worden]

I use a pipe cutter similar to your pic.  As I also have a disc sander, I just touch the cut end to the sander and it removes any burrs or deformation caused by pipe cutter.  Before I had the sander, I just deburred them with a knife.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Using a pipe cutter or tubing cutter as shown above and getting good consistent cuts that do not flare the shafts inwards is tricky. you'll find that out trying to put your inserts in...cutting tubing without some kind of a flaring tool, and practice can be exasperating.
i wouldn't recommend it myself. there are many types of metal cut-off wheels you can buy to go on a small grinder, or even adapt to a power drill, or a dremel tool that works MUCH better.Of course the best set up is a cut off saw designed for cutting arrows....After they are cut, I use a very fine chainsaw file to work the inside diameter, or they make metal reams that are design just for that. take a care here bro .......those arrows are spendy....I'd do some practice cutting on some old shafts and get it down first, what ever you do.....Kirk

[Doc Nock]

Years back, before I had a cut-off arrow saw, I bought a set up with a small tube cutter like pictured, but there were also "mandrils" for different diameter shafts to insert inside when cutting.

I picked the sizes I used most and never had a problem.  Just sat on the floor and did them watchin TV and then chamfered the inside slightly when done..have to anyway w/ cutoff saw too.

Not sure where I got the cutter/mandril set but it is slick!

[mike g]

Not to change the subject, butt is there a big differance between the 2016 and the 2018 when useing eastons new sizeing method would a 500 still work.

[Tilbilly]

I think the 2018 spines about 68# over 26", the 2016 is about 61#.

[PICKNGRIN]

I use a tubing cutter also.  After I make the cut, I bring the end of the shaft down on top of my flat hone stone and push the end of the shaft around in a circular motion against the hone stone.  This gives a good flat surface to the end of the shaft.  For deburring, I use the tapered tang end of a file.  Just put the tang end into the arrow shaft til touches the lip of the shaft and gently rotate the file inside the shaft to debur it.