January 12, 2025
Description
Disclaimer:
Cutting carbon rods with machines will create super fine carbon dust. Inhaling these particles will make them end up in your body, where they will stay for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Therefore I urge you to only use this machine OUTSIDE, and ideally additionally wear an FFP2 mask. This way it's perfectly safe. Now that that's out of the way: happy cutting! :-)
Hi there!
For my drone FPV designs based on carbon rods and 3d-printed parts, it is necessary to cut carbon rods to specific lengths. With the more complicated designs you will need more and more parts (with my Cinetube design it will be over 40), I was really annoyed doing this manually with my little dremel.
I found this cheap angle grinder for 12-20$ on Banggood back in the day (couldn't find it any more there, but here are 1001 version of it on Aliexpress, just some examples:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Alternatively you can also use the Bosch GWS 12v-76.
I designed a mount around it that keeps it in place and allows a much easier way of cutting rods. Also cutting 2 rods of the exact same length is now super easy.
The rod cutting "module" is designed on a slide. This way you can also use the chop saw for other stuff (I though this would come in handy).
You will need to mount the parts to a piece of wood. I used an old cutting board which serves this purpose perfectly.
It's designed in every sturdy way that will keep the cutting blade exactly at one position while moving up and down.
Parts that are needed to build it except the 3d-printed ones:
I've added some extra space between the sliding parts so it should work as intended after printing without needing much sanding of parts. But that does depend on your printer.
I've used some magnetic tape on the slide and 2 x neodym magnets on the measuring tool to make sure it stays in place nicely. Absolutely not necessary though. I've added a bit of tape on the backside to increase the tension, so it stays in place when changing rods.
The little clamps are supposed to hold each rod in place - regarding these I'm not 100% happy yet, will need to tinker a bit finding a nicer design.
Anyways, as always i'd love some feedback in case you've build one. In any way: Enjoy!
I've also added the Fusion360 design file, in case you want to make adjustments.
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial