making tapered shafts

[poekoelan]

Up until now I've just made basic wooden arrows. I'd like to try making some tapered shafts and I have some questions.

1. At what point on the shaft do you begin the taper?

2. How much spine reduction can I expect? Let's say I have a 3/8 dowel that spines at 80lbs and I'm shooting for a spine of 60lbs on my finished tapered shaft. Will I be able to get that?

3. What tools do you use? Is a small handplane all that's needed?

4. Any tricks or tips on keeping the taper round, without any flat spots or corners?

Thanks

[SCATTERSHOT]

I taper mine with a belt sander. I chuck the dowel up in a drill, lay the table flat, and as I spin the shaft with a drill sand it down to 5/16" for about the last 8-9". After you do a couple you can eyeball it pretty well.

You don't lose much spine this way, maybe 2-3#. In order to reduce the spine you have to sand the middle, as you probably have been doing.

Good luck!

[Traxx]

I use,a small block plane,for initial reduction,then,run it through sandpaper,held in one hand,and the shaft,chucked in a drill with the other.I do the last 10 inches.