I need a taper tool and can't afford a wood chuck.
It looks like these are the good ones. What do you all think is better. I read a lot of reviews on 3rivers about the tru taper. sounds like it is hard to adjust correctly. Sort of looks like the bear paw isn't adjustable which might be a good thing.
I'll be using spruce arrows. If you have any other ideas feel free to share. Thank you
I had a tru-taper. I liked the fact that you could adjust how long the taper is. You will need to buy another taperer or use a tapered shaft you like to adjust the blades. I have a Bear Paw (not the deluxe but the plastic one). It cuts tapers alot smoother than the tru-taper and doesn't cost as much. If you can adjust the length of the broadhead taper on the Bear Paw, that would be the one I would go with.
I have a BP that I got in The St. Jude auction last year...it's shiny chrome....
By far the best hand held taper tool I've ever used.
I have the tru taper and dont have anything bad to say about it.But before I got it,I used those cheapo plastic ones and made alot of arrows with them.
If you like the woodchuck style and have access to a disc sander there is a block with the grooves that you can set up like the woodchuck and its cheaper than the tru taper.If you are only doing spruce,It may not matter.Bot the blade types dont do that well in hard woods like ash(in my experience)
I havent used the bear paw,but dont have any doubt it should work and I like the way it looks.
I have a true taper and can't stand it and I now have a taper jig on my disk sander and it makes perfect tapers if I don't get in a hurry. If you have a small bench top disk sander or even a floor or bench top combination disk/ belt sander then you have the makings of a great system and won't have to worry about dull blades tearing up your shafts.
Do a search on here, there are some great ideas.
Also if you don't have the bucks for a sander and you have a drill laying around then with a couple of U-bolts, a cheap drill sanding pad and some plywood is all you need. Also I think tree rivers even sells a taper jig for around 10 bucks if you are having a hard time with cutting the 90 degree v grooves. Give a hollar if you need help
I have a Bearpaw, it work well but it is NOT adjustable. It does a decent job and the blades are cheap enough, good item to start out with. I use gasket lacquer and after three coats it sometimes is difficult to use correct size collar. I picked up a Woodchuck last year but I still use the Bearpaw if I need a repair or something. I could have just got by with the Bearpaw just decided to throw some away. As far as I know it uses the same blade and the little 3 dollar one.
my friend bought the Bearpaw and it's not adjustable. It doesn't taper enough. I have the True center taper and it works great. I like the idea that you can adjust the length on the taper.
Darren
I have a Tru center taper tool that I didn't care for at first but I found a way to make it work better. I took a bolt and ran it through the extra guide with a nut to secure it. I then chuck it up in my cordless drill and have a power taper tool......kind of like a electric pencil sharpener. Sorry I don't have a picture--It's loaned out to a friend right now.
I had a Tru taper. Never liked it :knothead: so I used the little plastic jobbies and they worked good. Now I glue in inserts. :bigsmyl: