cedar vs fir 2 part question

[tlfrailey]

1)My local archery supply store had a box of 60-65 fir arrow shafts laying around, so i got a great deal on them, but when i got them home, they where HUGE! 3/8". is this because of wood density?
2)so, anyway, i made a prototype and they seemed to fly just fine. but, i had to use my carpenter pencil sharpener to taper the shafts, and it wasnt quite right as you can imagine! has anyone ever worked with shafts this size, and is a 3/8" taper tool available? i can't seem to find one anywhere.
Thanks!
Todd

[the Razorhead]

1. of that run of shafts, yes.
I've seen 23/64 cedars, too (which is more than likely the shaft diameter)

2. Tru-Taper I know does, I've seen the pencil sharpener type that diameter...

if you're a carpenter, I'd build a jig and taper them with a disc sander

[Arthur P]

You could buy a woodchuck tapering grinder to taper them but it's pretty expensive. A disc sander does great with a jig though. An inexpensive belt sander with sanding disk costs about the same as a woodchuck and is far more handy to have. A ground taper though, either with the woodchuck or in a jig on a sanding disk, is far better than a pencil sharpener tapering tool can ever do anyway.

[AK in PA]

3/8" is huge for any shaft. 60-65# fir shafts are typically found in 11/32" size up, and perhaps up to 23/64". Have you actually checked the spine? I'd bet it's 90 or pounds.

Some pencil sharpener type taper tools might accomodate a 3/8" shaft, but the length of the taper will probably be pretty short. I prefer to use a pine jig that I made for my benchtop disc sander.

[BobCo19-65]

3/8" is not that huge IMO. I have some firs that are 60-65 that are 11/32". It's hard to see the 1/32" difference at all. Mine are tapered to 5/16 on the knock end, and I can only see the taper if I look real hard.