To answer your questions; Yes. Not very, if you have the tools.Yes, if you don't have the tools.
Everyone needs a different length so they come from the factory long on purpose to suit everyone's needs. A high speed cut-off wheel is needed for cutting the carbon so that the fibers don't fracture out. You can have them cut at a shop for a nominal price (should be anyway) and insert them yourself or have them do it.
I only answered the ones I knew the answer too. Sorry about this one. I knew that you needed a high speed saw, but I didn't know what speed. I don't know why I said what I said above. Oh well.
Most shops have a small fee for cutting arrows not purchased there... but it is usually less than .25/arrow.... ours charges $3 for a dozen bought somewhere else.
A good quality high speed arrow saw can cost in the neighborhood of $100 (at least)... which is a whole lot of $3 a dozen arrow chops!
Plus the guys at a pro shop do it all day long and they will make sure it is cut as square as possible and as clean as possible too. They know what to look for. Its not exactly rebuilding a transmission... but trust me you can screw it up if you don't know what you're doing. Best not to expirament on your own arrows... unless you have some old ones laying around. And an arrow saw really only has one use too.... and thats cutting arrows.... although I suspect you could probably adjust it and cut the end off a cigar.
__________________ You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve. - Kid Rock