Woodchuck Taper Tool

[stumpinkaiser]

I'm just wondering if the woodchuck is worth the investment. I make quite a few wood arrows and need something that works better than a razor blade.

Just looking for the pros and cons.

Thanks

[killinstuff]

There are no cons.

[Biathlonman]

The con would be it's expensive. I can have Surewood due a lot of tapering for the cost of the woodchuck. Good machine though, a little learning curve is required.

[killinstuff]

Worth every penny

[Bud B.]

With mine it's a love/hate relationship. Discs fly off....I found out if you reverse the "cupped" shape of the discs it helps. The sticky is great, but it's not infallible. The shafts must be perfectly straight or your taper will show it. I have no problem spinning the shaft in the groove, but a hidden bend of any amount at the very tips of the arrow shafts will be evident in your taper. A razor blade tool isn't affected by that.

Personally, I will defeat this devil. But I think I will find myself buying a decent disc/belt sander combo in the future and making a jig to taper point/nock ends. I need a feather grinding belt sander anyway. When I do, the woodchuck will be for sale with a disclaimer.

If you find a supplier of shafts that'll point/nock taper for you, that may be a less aggravating option.

I have thought of going straight cedar and getting the tru center taper tool v2. Doug fir does better with the Woodchuck or home disc sander and jig.

That's my experience and 2 cents.

[JRY309]

I wondered that years ago but after I bought mine.It is a great tool.I have had mine for around 20 years and still works.You can make slight adjustments for the taper to get a perfect fit.I made a lot of wood arrows and it was worth it for me.

[Orion]

Sanding is the way to go.  If you have a table saw or disc sander, can construct your own jig to taper arrows.  If not, the Woodchuck is a lot cheaper and works just as well.

[grayfeather]

I can do my nock in great but have not been able to get to point end down .I do ALOT of arrows mostly with the razer , does a cleaner job . looks good thought !

[Bjorn]

Would not do it any other way.

[macbow]

I've probably done 50 dozen arrows on mine.
It is true you want,to straighten the shafts first.

I do a lot of 1/4 inch kids arrows. The tip here is to use a,section of aluminum arrow shaft the right size taped to the groove slide the 1/4 inch shaft,through for good alignment.

No problem with the sanding disc. Have even. Made. My own.

[Bud B.]

What alum size shaft you using mac? I just did all those 1/4 shafts for the auction and the red oak was the worst for having unstraightenable curves at the shaft tips. I prefer working with the birch/poplar shafts. Much cleaner and even taper on those. They straighten much easier, even on the stubborn tips.

Dang woodchuck is loud, too. That small motor really gets at it.

[M60gunner]

It took me a few times to get my tapers right also. I like it for the Doug Fir shafts and any hardwood shafts. Some woods will crumble with the Tru taper. I tried new blades but then realized it was the wood. The woodchuck really came in for me when I was making bamboo arrows.
I also have the drill motor attachments for the Tru Taper. It is faster than the wood chuck and saves my hands.

[joe skipp]

I sold mine after I closed down my shop. What a mistake...especially now that I've been making up Doug Fir. Great tool.

[macbow]

Bud, I'm not sure on the size guessing 2117 or,so.
Trouble is,not all 1/4 shafts are the same. Agree oak is tough. I like the birch.

 

[macbow]

This is the jig I used before the woodchuck.
Same principal just used with a disc or belt sander.

 

[dnovo]

The woodchuck is a great tool. I probably make 5-10 dozen sets a year and have never regretted buying it

[Burnsie]

I made one out of wood.  Routed some "V" grooves in a good sold thick piece of Ash I had,  mounted a motor I got from a supply house and got a replacement disc direct from  Woodchuck.  Probably got about $40.00 wrapped up in it and it works great. Don't use it much since I went to carbon though.

[WESTBROOK]

I'd spend the money on a disc/belt sander, you can use the belt side for putting a rear taper on the shafts.

[Stumpkiller]

If I couldn't find my Woodchuck I'd immediately buy another.  Works great for Douglas fir shafts.