I am getting some POC shafts that are 23/64. I want to taper them down to 5/16" at the nock end. Has anyone used them tool that 3Rivers sells for this? It is $99 so I want to make sure it is worth the money! Any help is appreciated.
If your talken' the taper plane made by woodchuck.. it works really well. Been around for a lot of years. dino
I don't know if it is made by woodchuck...just says "taper plane".
look up wes wallace's page, go to accessories, there should be tims taper tool. Works great.
Thats if you already have a belt sander. It's a pretty easy jig to make.
I tried the sand paper jig on this site and though it worked OK, it was more of a pain in the butt to use then anything.
Another method I used on some ash when I first started was to buy a 1" thumb plane, or block plane. Draw lines on the shaft, 3 6 and 9"es.
Starting with the 3, take a very thin shaving till the hole line around the shaft is gone. Redraw the 3" line, go to the 6 and take the 6 and 3" lines off, then go to the 9" and take all 3 off. Finish sanding by hand and viola a simple tapered arrow shaft. Works pretty good if you take your time, the plane is super sharp, and you take off super fine shavings. All to easy. To sharpen it, look up the scary sharp plane blade method of sharpening, works like a champ. And you can make a jig holder just for the 1" block plane instead of buying the jig mentioned.
I have one of those tapering jigs. I use it now and then with good results. I now have a combo wetstone and blade guide to sharpen my plane blades with. I hope to be able to get the blade from the jig as "scarry" sharpe.
You can build a taper jig yourself for just a couple of bucks. I wouldn't even bother with the sandpaper - just use 2 files.
http://www.tradgang.com/taper/
Typical the taper on a 23/64 goes down to 11/32 over 10 inches. Going to 5/16 will change your spine a lot. Yes that plane is worth buying. Try doing one without it. Ends up trashed, I've done it, on a footed shaft no less.
I have tapered many with a rasp and coarse sand paper-works just fine; but it is tedious. I send mine to Ted at Raptor Archery. He is a sponsor and does a fine job at an affordable price.!
The woodcheck is easy and great to use.