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Cutting Rev Spars


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I've got a question, maybe a stupid question, but still a question. I have an extra set of Rev I spars (brand new), that I would love to utilize, in some of my Rev 1.5's. My question boils down to this. Can these spars be cut down by a few inches, and used in a Rev 1.5 (assuming that I measure them to the correct length)? If so, how is the best way to cut them, and is there anything that needs to be done to the raw end, after it is cut, to prevent splintering, etc. ? Has anyone done this before ? confused_1.gif

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Not done it with rev spars, but on another kite, I just used a cutting attatchment on a dremel

A little bit of superglue on the end will help prevent splintering

Only issue with the dremel is it creates a lot of dust which is harmful to your lungs, so i'd advise taking precautions

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Hey Nick,

You might wait until Kent logs on and posts. He has a lot more experience than I do. I've heard that the ends are reinforced with extra carbon, but I can't see any increase in diameter or shape at the ends.

I've cut well over 200 kite rods in the last few years with this rig ... also several dozen aluminum shafts for archery. I'm too cheap to buy even a Harbor Freight chop saw. It's a simple 2 X 4 with a little routing at one end to hold a flex shaft attachment. Before I got the flex shaft, the dremel was simply duct taped to the board and the middle area was raised with an other board to keep the center of the rod even with the center of the cutoff wheel. The other end of the board has an adjustable stop to keep the end of the rod fixed. The cutoff wheel is the largest one you can buy ... otherwise the tube has a chance of hitting the shoulder of the dremel or flex shaft. I use the highest speed available on the dremel.

Once the rod is cut, use some fine wet-or-dry sand paper to smooth the end. Use your gun cleaning equipment to clean out the small carbon particles from the inside of the rod. And, do use respirator equipment while cutting. I also hook up my vac to capture the particles before they spread.

Cheers,

Tom

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Hey Tom, That's a pretty sophisticated set-up you've got there. Straight out of the aerospace industry, no doubt. All kidding aside, sometimes it's the simplest little things, that you can come up with, that will do a job, remarkably well. Kudos, on the cut-off jig. I have all that stuff, including the workmate, so it shouldn't be a problem, with the cutting part, or cutting it square. I even set up my shop vac, on saws, dremels, drill presses, etc. I just hate dust in my work shop. Anyway, I'm just worried about the ends of the rod splintering, after the cut is made. I wish I had a piece of scrap, to play with first. I don't know, I may just leave well enough alone.

I thought I would put out a feeler, and see if anyone had ever done this with a Rev rod, before. The Dremel definitely seems to be the tool of choice, which I myself have used, to cut SkyShark tubing, in the past. Anyway I've got this brand new Rev I LE (3 pcs), that I'm not going to use, so I was thinking about cutting it down to the 1.5 size, and keeping the rods as spares, or something.

Thanks for your input, as well as that from everyone else, both here, and over on the Rev forum.........;)

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Revolution does put a small bit of reinforcement on the ends of the rods to help strengthen them where the ferrule slides in. Some rods are easier to see this on than others. Usually the 2 wrap rods show this the most. If you cut the rod then I would suggest using the cut end towards the outside of the leading edge (where the cap is) or using the rod for the vertical. You can cut them pretty easily just as has been mentioned above. I also use a dremel tool but have changed from the normal cut off disks to a diamond blade. This blade is larger in diameter making it easier to cut the rods with and also lasts for ever! I have been using the same cut off blade now for 4 years and it is just now starting to show some wear.

post-162-0-90855600-1308620790_thumb.jpg

Can be purchased at most Home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Menards...etc...)

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Revolution does put a small bit of reinforcement on the ends of the rods to help strengthen them where the ferrule slides in. Some rods are easier to see this on than others. Usually the 2 wrap rods show this the most. If you cut the rod then I would suggest using the cut end towards the outside of the leading edge (where the cap is) or using the rod for the vertical. You can cut them pretty easily just as has been mentioned above. I also use a dremel tool but have changed from the normal cut off disks to a diamond blade. This blade is larger in diameter making it easier to cut the rods with and also lasts for ever! I have been using the same cut off blade now for 4 years and it is just now starting to show some wear.

post-162-0-90855600-1308620790_thumb.jpg

Can be purchased at most Home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Menards...etc...)

Thanks Kent, You always seem to have answers.......................;)

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