Need to tip a driver shaft. What exactly do I do/ use?

kody17 · March 25, 2019

Need to tip the shaft 1/2". Is using a chop saw fine? I use it for all my steel shafts and it works great. For the graphite shaft, if I use the chop saw, would putting electrical tape around the tip help it from splintering? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

bradski · March 25, 2019

It depends on the blade. You want something with really fine teeth. I like the cutoff disks for demels for tips as they seem to not splinter.

halliedog · March 25, 2019

Like bradski, I use Dremel cutoff wheel, although I usually do also wrap the area with masking tape to reduce splintering even more. I have cut some without the tape and not had an issue, but figure why not use it to make sure.

coreyhr · March 25, 2019

You want to buy an abrasive cut off wheel for your chop saw. Stay away from any wheel that has teeth all together. See link for the type of wheel you want to buy. Obviously there are different sizes depending on the size of your saw.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-5-14-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-44814.html

Z1ggy16 · March 25, 2019

I use a metal cut off disk. Masking tape wrapped around the cut spot.

Adam C · March 25, 2019

As others have said, nothing with teeth should be used. Any abrasive cut off blade should work fine. Don't use electrical tape, just a single layer of masking tape.

wkuo3 · March 25, 2019

Wear a mask to keep out the dust from graphite...…. your lung will thank you.

Stuart_G · March 26, 2019

> @"Adam C" said:

> As others have said, nothing with teeth should be used. Any abrasive cut off blade should work fine. Don't use electrical tape, just a single layer of masking tape.

I agree that the abrasive wheels are very good to use and likely the safest for those new to cutting graphite - but teethed blades are not really problematic if used properly. I frequently use a 10 tpi blade on my band saw to cut graphite - both tip and butt side. And don't even need the tape. (I wouldn't recommend it with a new blade though - can dull them quickly). Hack saws work fine as well. Main consideration is not to rush the job, light pressure is the way to go.