tru center taper tool--any good?

[Hoser1268]

I like mine. Never had a problem

[30coupe]

I like it once I got it set up. It takes a few tries to get the blades where I want them. I agree that you have to feed it slowly. I have never had a problem with cutting after the finish is on. You must really lay it on thick to have that problem. I have 4-5 coats of poly on my arrows and have no problem with the arrows sticking.

I tried two of the black pencil sharpener type and neither worked worth squat. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

[dino]

I bought one about 8 years ago from the 3R trading post.  One that was sent back by a customer saying that it wouldn't work.  Put blades in it and it worked just fine.  Tapered poc, fir, lodgepole, sitka, maple, poplar, purpleheart, osage, mahogany, western larch and probably a few other shafts too.  Never had an issue.  Pretty good tool in my opinion. dino

[draco]

Mine works great and no problem with the hands. I take the 5/16 collet and put a 2 1/2" bolt thru it with a nut and lock washer,chuck it in a drill,low to medium speed and just stick the shafts in it,perfect taper every time and effortless.

[JImmyDee]

I bought one a year or so ago.  It started out fine then seemed to stop cutting well.

"Time to sharpen the blade," I thought.  A couple passes of the back of the blade on a stone showed the problem: the blades bend slightly.

I cut a couple bits of steel sheet, drilled a couple holes, and used that to back the blades.  Works like a charm since then, although I don't think it centers the shafts as well as a Woodchuck does...

[AkDan]

Jimmy,

I also noticed some of the blades were pretty bad.   Got tired of sharpening them and bought the woodchuck.

Thats about the time I heard of the guy using a drill.  his blades were so dull you couldnt cut using your hands, but with the drill it worked fine.

The way to a good taper, is a straight shaft.

[Steelhead]

I dont build alot of arrows.A dozen or so a year.all the ones I have done with this tool turned out great.They spin perfectly true and I  get clean tapers.Cant speaak for anyone else but it works for me fine.Wears out the forarms a bit after doing a dozen is the only negative thing I can say about my personell experience with it.Your mileage may vary.I cant afford a woodchuck and its not on my list of things to buy for the amoiunt or arrows I build otherwise I would be on my must have list.

[cajuntec]

I think Steelhead hit on something that I missed saying - if you do a lot of arrows, this probably isn't the tool for you.  If you do small amounts per year for personal use, then this tool just may be the ticket for you - less cost, requires a bit more patience, but the cost savings for someone who doesn't taper a lot of wood shafts each year makes this a good buy.

I haven't tried the drill trick yet.  I have a few untapered shafts I might try that out with.

All the best,
Glenn

[bowbert]

I love mine.  Have made 100 arrows without changing blades.  Chundoo and POC.