Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

How many of you guys use the el-cheapo whiffen tool that costs $5? I got to taper a whole 8 arrows with mine, and now it wont cut. The blade is clean, and seems to be sharp, but it wont cut anything. I guess I will have to buy the more expensive model? Really I'm not cheap, just frugal. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

What would be a good one to buy? Is the Tru-Center taper tool good? I would hate to have to spring for the Woodchuck power tool, seems a bit pricey to me.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

I have the Tru-center tool and the Woodchuck power taper.I don't use the Tru-center anymore-it seems to get to my hands if I'm building alot of arrows at one time.I keep it in my bow box when I go to the cabin just in in case I have to re-taper some shafts.The Woodchuck is the way to go-slick tool!If you get the Tru-center tool,pick up some extra blades also.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

The Woodchuck is worth it if you plan on going full-bore with wood arrows. I tried two different Tru-Center tools (both borrowed), and I'd just as soon buy up several of the Whiffen tools. Blades didn't last very long for me, and gouged up the taper pretty bad. Even worse if you try a hardwood like ash. You can get the adhesive backed discs and make your own for the Woodchuck--I think it's cheaper in the long run, much easier, and does a better job.

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Also have all three. The woodchuck is definatly worth it. I would however have to ask if you have access to a belt-disc sander or just a plan ole disc sander. If so make a jig for it!

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Ok, it looks like the old saying &quot;you get what you pay for&quot; holds true here as well.

Lil, I like your thinking. I have a belt sander, and I can make a jig up for it. Thanks for the help everyone.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Never used the Whiffen or Woodchuck, but I've had the same Tru-Center tool for about 4 years now. Once you get the blade set it does a great job.

JRW

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

If I had a belt sander or disc sander, I wouldn't mess with those pencil sharpener tapering tools at all, except for emergencies like when I have to retaper a shaft away from home. Sanding the tapers is the only way to go.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

None of them is worth a darn on carbons! I use the true taper on woodies though. works great but it is hard on the hands. Dick

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Kip,

I know you can buy a jig for the belt/disc combos....if your interested let me know, I'll email ya.

Dan

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Thanks Dan. If you got some info on where to get one, I would sure like to check it out.

I completed my first ever arrows today. :) I think their a little light. I got some heavier ones I'm making up now, but Im gonna need to taper the shafts before I can shoot them. Thanks again.
Kip

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Kip,

No need to buy a jig for tapers. Simply take a 1X2X5&quot;, (approximate- nearly any size will do), piece of oak or some other wood. Get a long drill bit, and drill a hole at 90º the long way through the wood. Mark a line at that same 90º. Then using a protractor mark a new
line 5º from the first. Band saw that 5º line, leaving the line. Use your disc sander to sand smooth to the 5º line. Clamp the board to your sander table and put the arrow in the hole. Do another at 11½º. Mark them 5º for the point taper and 11½º for the nock.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

I only make a couple dozen arrows a year. I pay an extra few bucks to have the shafts cut to length and tapered on both ends. One place charges $3 for this service. The woodchuck tool is probably about $140 until you pay the shipping. At that cost I would have to do 46 dozen or 552 arrows just to break even based on the $3 I presently pay per dozen. And with maintenance and who knows what else [it is a machine]the woodchuck cost could be higher. And besides, I am 55 yrs old and probably don't have another 46 dozen in me.

I do have a Tru center tool and use that if I break a point off and can still use the arrow. Other than that I think it's a pain.

My last dozen cost me $2 for cut and tapers. And they do a nice job with THEIR machine. If it breaks, THEY fix it.

Seems like the way to go for me.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

I have done 4 or 5 dozen arrows with my wiffen tool thingy so far with no problems. What kind of wood are you putting through it? Mine were all PO cedar arrows.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

KN, I am tapering POC shafts. No reason that the thing should have gone bad after a few arrows. I even went nice and slow.

Dscott, good idea, I think I can handle that easy enough. Thanks.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

I have one of those whiffen tools. I've done a few dozen cedar and the last dozen I did were laminated birch and it still works. I'm in the process of building a jig for my sander though. That birch made it hard on the hands using that tool.

RE: Stinkin' Whiffen Tool
 

Kip,

I know a guy chucking up some woodies in a drill, using the true center tapering jig. He was saying they cut MUCH cleaner this way then by hand, plus it doesn tear your hand to pieces when doing a dozen or three. I do believe he has the tapering jig caught up in a vise. I'll have to ask next time we talk....usually about every 3 months or so. Looks like I'll have to call sooner lol.