Cutting solid CF rod

[Angrydad]

I bought a 750mm length of 2mm CF rod today, for 4 bucks. just gotta cut it. About all I have here is a hacksaw, but no real way of holding it other than a pair of vice grips. I was thinking about locking the vice grips onto it and holding it by hand and just using a table or something to steady it while I cut it. Will that work OK? I don't want to splinter it or anything. Also, should I just use a file to put the flats back in it?

Or could I use a sharp knife, or even one of those copper pipe cutters (The ones with the cutting wheel and 2 rollers)? Would that cut it? I know it will cut that high pressure plastic hydraulic hose very nicely....

[Rc Zombie]

You could try a hand held scroll saw or a hack saw to clamp it id wrap it in paper so the clamp you use doesn't Mar it a hobby knife saw from xacto would be good and cheap

[Angrydad]

Ok, I got it cut, marked it with a razor blade then used the trusty old Swiss Army knife, the nail file has a serrated edge, perfect for sawing through CF rod
I cut the tail rotor wires at the pcb plug, pulled them through the tail motor housing and re-soldered. Fiddly, but worked in the end. Then I cut a peice of insulation tape to the same length as the boom and wrapped it around, 1 strand in 1 wrap, the second one in the next one. Quick and easy, looks ok and no shorting, gold!
BTW I made the boom 140mm

[cgriffith]

I usually just use a razor blade knife to cut. It probably is not the quickest, but it is always handy and it gets the job done.

[Heli.Maniac]

I really suggest buying yourself a dremel tool. It really helped me a lot not only on the mcpx carbon rods, but on other things around the house too. And if you get the hobbyking one, its very cheap and useful. It cuts a carbon rod in less than 2 seconds. And best thing is that the CF rod wont separate at the end of it. Your boom is just about the right size

[Angrydad]

Originally Posted by anmatheextreme

I really suggest buying yourself a dremel tool. It really helped me a lot not only on the mcpx carbon rods, but on other things around the house too. And if you get the hobbyking one, its very cheap and useful. It cuts a carbon rod in less than 2 seconds. And best thing is that the CF rod wont separate at the end of it. Your boom is just about the right size

Didn't realise HK sold dremels, I might have to invest in 1. Used to borrow my dad's, but I now live 3500km away from him
I have no real 3D plans, but I might make up a couple of longer ones, with cat3 wire. Got plenty of rod left

[Heli.Maniac]

Yes and mine is still holding good and I am really happy with it (even though its HK stuff) but considering I got mine for like 20$ or so, I am glad I pulled the trigger on it.

[Angrydad]

I didn't bother filing the flats on the end of the new boom, just pushed it into the tail housing and back of frame - couldn't see anything inside that looked like it needed a flat, then again, my eyes aren't that good for close-up stuff (Eyes like a hawk for anything that's more than 10 feet away!). Are the flats there to locate the boom, or to allow the wires to pass through?

[NCcraig]

The flat spots are to lock the boom in place so it doesn't rotate at the frame or the tail motor mount.

[Angrydad]

Originally Posted by NCcraig

The flat spots are to lock the boom in place so it doesn't rotate at the frame or the tail motor mount.

So do the flats go to the bottom? I really couldn't see any corresponding flats in the frame or tail motor mount. Might need to get the magnifying glass out lol

[Heli.Maniac]

Originally Posted by Angrydad

So do the flats go to the bottom? I really couldn't see any corresponding flats in the frame or tail motor mount. Might need to get the magnifying glass out lol

Thats right, they are at the bottom where it connects to the frame, not quite sure about the tail case.

[prtrp]

I guess my intervention was irrelevant sorry about this I will start a new thread...

[Drivinfast247]

Put one end in a drill and while its spinning, use a razor blade to cut it. FYI: You don't need to have the drill running crazy fast.

[Tasteles]

Both flats go in the bottom of the boom, What I do is make the flat on one end of the boom and insert it into the tail mount then you can use the tail mount to hold the boom even while you file the flat on the other end. I let the boom mount hang over the edge of the counter the flat on the outside of the mount helps to hold it steady.