Apparatus to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of arbitrary length using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process reactor furnace is described, where the CNTs are grown axially along a portion of the length of the furnace. The apparatus includes a spindle and a mechanism for rotating the spindle. The spindle located within a constant temperature region of the furnace and operable to collect the CNT around the rotating spindle as the CNT is grown within the furnace.