Cutting arrows to length
 

I have always just purchased my arrows cut to length. Although I do Crest and Fletch them. I have never had to cut them, but I am seeing some good deals on full length arrows. Other than purchasing a high speed arrow cutter, Does anyone have any advise. I am looking at Aluminum shaft.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I think the only other thing you would need would be a chamfering (sp?) tool to debur the inside of the shaft after you cut them. It's really quite simple, but a decent saw is rather expensive. But worth it, IMO. Building your own arrows is the bomb.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

Hey WBowhunt. Years ago I bought a jig and saw kit to cut shafts. It came with a thin bladed hand saw and a jig to measure and hold the shaft while cutting. It works well but I imagine that it is not as consistant as a high speed abrasive saw. The cuts were square to the shaft and the inserts seated properly. I do not see them in Martin's website but it doesn't hurt to ask. The base of the jig has the word GEM right beside the patent number.
Good luck.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I just started playing with this idea also. I learned that a 25,000 rpm 90 degree pneumatic die-grinder with a very thin (.010)cut-off wheel zips right through a carbon arrow. Measure and then tape shaft on each side of cut mark to aid you while cutting shaft and to protect surrounding area. Don't hesitate when cutting the shaft, if you do the cut-off wheel will bounce on shaft and make marks on your arrows. Once you know where to cut, run the tool at full power and drive it right through the shaft quickly.

I then will use the G5 squaring tool to get the arrow ends square. Do not sit there with the grinder on arrow end and try and square the ends. You will generate too much heat and in my opinion melt the resin from carbonand weaken the arrow shaft.

I already had a 1/4 inch carbide debur bit, that is razor sharp. Thefront of bitis .236 and the base/back end of bit goes up to .249.I debur by hand twisting. I do not recommend placing debur bit in a power tool, like my local shop does...it's too easy to debur too much and get a loose insert or nock. Plus you can easily getthe biton an angle and make cut marks 1 inch up inside the shaft due to tight tolerances. If you debur by hand you can get a snug/perfect fit for your inserts. Once you figure out how deep the bit needs to go to get the right tension on inserts or nock, wrap a piece of masking tape around bit so you can duplicate the same debur depth on each arrow.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

so you don't think a good ole chop saw would do the trick? ha

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

i think it will be fine

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

MilDotMaster,

How do you like that G5 ASD tool? I have been looking at it but I just can't seem to get myself to spend $35 on it! Is it worth it?

Thanks.

kpsingleton

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I worded my previous post very carefully:)...I stated "I then will use"...meaning it is on order. I don't have it yet. I have been practicing cutting up my Carbon Tech shafts with die grinder and it has been making good clean cuts. When the G5 comes in I will test it out. I'm sure it will work just fine since Tim from GT uses it with great results.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

A die grinder? I guess if you have a compressor and a die grinder it might work but I think a chop saw with an abrasive wheel would be much better and cheaper. You would just have to rig something to hold the shafts near the point of cut so the shafts do not chatter.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I just bought a saw off ebay $27 brand new. Spend the money. Arrow shafts are spendy.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

A dremel works good also.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I have heard a dremel works good also. I have a dremel and am trying to figure out how to set it up. Do you have a stand that you put the dremel in, or or you just cutting it by hand? I would imagine that you could cut a shaft by hand after measuring and masking it off with tape and then take the G5 ASD tool to square the edge off. Anybody here do this?

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I havea 3 ft tall square that I mount on flat work bench.The cornerof it hangs over edge of bench 3 inches and goes up towards the ceiling. I look straight down when making a cut. I use this edgeand hold die grinder right up to it with cut off wheel to get as close to a clean (90 degree) cut as I can. I cut it free hand and slightly roll the arrow shaft as the wheel is slicing through. If your going to roll shaft make sure it is up against something that won't move to keepthe shaftin place. Any other imperfections will be taken care of with the G5 ASD tool.You can grind the end if you want; to make a bad cut square, just don't stay there and build up heat in the localized area. Not saying this is the best way, just how I have been doing it so far. Best thing to do is practice on some junk/scrap arrows to build your confidence. I have little pieces of Carbon Tech arrows all over the floor as we speak. They needed a purpose in life. :D

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

I thought I already posted this in this thread, but do a search on Harbor Frieght. I bought their mini chop saw and it works perfect for $25 or so. I made a small jig out of a piece of angle iron and mounted it all on my "archery bench" and it works as good as the apple saw at the archery club I belong to. I spent a total of about $30 building it.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

Thanks for the help. I am going to be making a stop up to home depot to make a crank board and a target stand out of PVC pipe. If I get really motivated I may try and make a cutting board.

MilDotMaster,

Yep, those old arrows do have a purpose. I have some old Beeman Hunter arrows that are about 12 years old that have just been laying around. They are like 26 inches because I used to have an overdraw on my bow.

Thanks again.

RE: Cutting arrows to length
 

Tee Jay, I saw that Saw on E-bay, but wondered if was cheap and would do the job, I even saw a couple of the same saws with table jigs to hold the arrow to length ( But they jumped the price to over $100 ). Did you get yours yet? and if so, how do you like it. I figured for $27, I could get the saw and then build the table jig myself a lot cheaper. It is not spending the money that bothers me, it is spending the money to find out it is not what I needed and then it woudl be wasted.