I have used them all over the last 40 years or so except a woodchuck which I thought was vastly over priced, I did have one similar that used the same motor and had bushings that lined your shaft up with the sanding disc.

The only taper tool I have used that gives me perfect tapers every time is the jig on my belt sander. I built it with an arrow stop but found that was unnecessary, after tapering thousands of arrows on it I can eyeball the depth of the taper just fine.

You don't have to buy an expensive belt disc sander to make one of these, there are small disc sanders with 1" belts that sell for between $50 and $75.

The one in the picture fits in the miter slot of my disc sanding table so I can take it off and on have it properly adjusted from the get go.

What Eric Krewson said.

If you can find a used Woodchuck Taper Machine, that's the way to go.

Disc sander for me! I had a Woodchuck machine, but there was noticeable play in the motor shaft which allowed the disc to move in and out slightly. Not good if you’re a perfectionist. The disc sander makes perfect tapers if your jig is accurate. Plus, the sweet aroma of Port Orford Cedar brings back fond memories of archery past, something carbon shaft shooters will never experience. Richard

I have a similar jig I use on my 10 inch table saw. Just put a 10 inch sanding disk in and away you go. PERFECT tapers every time.

I have a woodchuck , disc sander and pencil style all work just depends on how many shafts you plan on doing in a years time.

For me I’d been fine with the pencil because I don’t do many but I had to try them all lol.

I have the older taper tool set up from Gary. I have tapered cedar, fir, and hardwood shafts using it. I believe it’s the speed of the drill that helps get fine tapers. Besides it takes seconds to do a taper.

the play on the woodchuck can be eliminated by loosening the set screws and moving sand head inwards towart the motor

/inserting a thin washer

I have been toying with ideas in this area, so what are you looking for in a “perfect” taper tool?

I have questions, but before I taint the pool of what you want, I’ll keep them to myself.

I've had a Woodchuck for many years now and it works perfect for me as long as I do my part. Don't slip. I don't have any play in mine even after many years.

I use one on Doug Fir,not as smooth as grinding but I like a textured taper over sanded one so the glue can bite in better.

The primary problem with most taper tools is the shaft guide. Shafts today are not as UNIFORM in diameter as they were back in the day, that can affect how the final taper is in regard to the taper being in line with the axis of the shaft, the shaft MUST fit the guide snugly. Picture the nocks taper alignment in regard to being straight; the arrow flight begins with the nock, if its crooked it will send the arrow off in a different direction than one that is straight.

It is in my opinion the MOST important part of making arrows. They can be the most beautiful arrows you have ever seen, with crooked nocks there great for starting a fire and nothing else. One of the reasons the Woodchuck is such a great tool is the shaft guide, its "V" shaped it doesn't matter what the shafts diameter is it will always be guided into the disc perfectly straight which results in straight tapers. It is impossible to put nocks on straight with a crooked taper.

Compact is nice, but if it doesn't result in straight tapers its worthless regardless of cost.

How do you know if a taper is straight? If where the taper meets the shaft (that ring around the shaft) isn't a perfect circle (it has a dip in it) the taper is crooked or the shaft is not round.

Bob

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