Cutting carbon arrows?

[Rufus]

Does anybody use a Dremel tool for this. I tried a little chopsaw from a 'freight' place and it cut but the blade lasted for about 6-7 cuts and the belt started slipping also so it's going back to  where it came from. Bargain is as bargain does.  
 I really don't want to spend a lot of money on an Apple cut off saw for an experiment with carbon shafts. I've been making wood and aluminum shafts for 30+ years and a hacksaw and miter box handles those with ease.
 Ideas for an old retired dude with more wants than what has money for!!!
 Thx!!

[Rick Richard]

There was a post on this subject that I read not too long ago about a cutoff saw (cheap) from...Harbor Freight or Northern Tools maybe.  Anyone remember?

[lpcjon2]

Yes a dremmel will work, check the How to and Build along section on the main page I thick there is a thread about how to do it.

[PaddyMac]

http://www.harborfreight.com/bench-top-cut-off-saw-42307.html


$25

[Rick Richard]

I knew sombody would remember.  That is what is great about this site...wealth of knowledge!

[eflanders]

My first arrow saw is a dremel based unit I made.  Then I went out and bought a commercial one.  Guess what?  My home-made Dremel saw does a better job...  There are lots of examples of these saws on various DIY archery sites.

[JRY309]

Rufus,I have been using the same blade on my Harbor Freight mini chop saw to cut dozens of carbons and aluminum arrow shafts.The secret is to be able to rotate the arrow shaft as you cut.You just bring the blade into the shaft and rotate it around.That gives you a squarer cut and you don't need to just cut straight down through the shaft,which like you have found out after some cutting it won't cut all the way through.I made a jig for mine with an adjustable stop block.On the stop block I drilled a taper hole with a chamfer bit.The taper hole allows me to rotate the shaft as I cut and the taper keeps the nock end centered.This is how the more expensive arrow saws work,they only have a small portion of the blade exposed.you bring the arrow shaft just into the blade and rotate it as you cut.

[sinawalli]

Being a machinist, I clamp the arrow shaft in a 3 jaw chuck, and put a air grinder in the tool post with a zip disc in it. Feed it by hand across the shaft. Makes it perfectly square.

[Onlyaspike]

I use to use a dremel with the skinny cut off wheel....Id cut them "close" to the length I needed them to be. Then I'd put the shaft( nock end) in a cordless drill and spin square the cut end on a G5 ASD....it worked well. I bought a arrow saw a little over a year ago and havent looked back. It works GREAT....I bought the Weston 8000rpm w/ dust collector. Priceless when you start doing more arrows. Buy it and charge your buddies a couple bucks to make there arrows up...It'll pay for itself in no time.

[el greco]

The secret ingredient for the mini saw from harbor freight are the hard to find 2" diamond blades.Work like a charm....

[Joeabowhunter]

Dremel with a thin cutoff wheel works great.  You would laugh if you saw my set up BUT it works and didn't cost anything.  A couple C clamps, a V block a dremel and a stop for length.

[LimBender]

I got an F/S arrow saw for a decent price, mounted it to an oak board and it works great.

[LA Trapper]

Rufus, you can get extra blades for that saw.  I have cut over 4 doz carbons with this saw (mine is orange) and I am on my second blade.  The blades are cheap.   Bought a three pack of exra blades when I got the saw.  Same place sells the blades.  

Try them.

[JamesKerr]

I have never used anything but an arrow saw to cut carbons. When I got mine though I looked it over real good and got to thinking, All you need is someway to keep the shaft in a straight line and at the same length every time and the dremel tool.

[LKH]

I've used a Dremmel, but getting the end square can be tough.  

Use an arrow saw if possible, even if a shop charges you a bit.

[Bowwild]

I don't use a Dremel but I'd bet if properly stabled it would work?

I broke down and bought an Apple cut-off saw a few years ago after not having one for nearly 40 years. I am SOOOO happy I did it. I use the saw all the time. It cost less (then) than the price of some of the dozens of arrows I put through it.

[joekeith]

I've used one from Harbor Freight for years now.  Just pay attention, don't rush it, and keep rotating the shaft.  It may not be the best saw, but it's the best $25 saw.

[JParanee]

I enjoy setting up bows and for me that requires bare shafting and cutting a 1/4 inch at a time from arrows to get them spined right

So I will never regret buying an apple cut  saw

Hook up the vacuum and have at it , easy to adjust

[jcarter]

i bought a small pipe cutter from a home impr store for about three dollars, self aligning and works great....just go real slow and turn ever so slightly..and then retighten and repeat until complete.....works great!

[BOWMARKS]

Been using that saw from Harbor Frieght for quite some time and those blades hold up good!  

Are you maybe pushing to hard? Slow down maybe?