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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Zradix on April 10, 2018, 03:32:08 PM

Title: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Zradix on April 10, 2018, 03:32:08 PM
Hey gang.
Thinking about trying out some surewoods.
I have a bearpaw deluxe taper tool.
[attachment=1]

It works very well with spruce, cedar and even ash.
Never tried douglas fir...Surewood's site says they can be difficult with a razor tool.
...just curious what ya'll have found.

Thanks
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: M60gunner on April 10, 2018, 03:53:31 PM
I have the old Tru Taper jig that I use for fir as well as cedar. Doing it by hand I get tear out on Fir. But when I bought the drill motor accessories from the Renfroes Fir is easy as cedar. I believe there is an accessory available for that tool you have. If your planning on using a lot of Fir it might be worth the price.
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Zradix on April 10, 2018, 03:57:27 PM
Interesting.
I don't plan on doing much of them...just a dozen or so....for now to see if I like em.
Just didn't want to get myself into a situation of having a bunch of shafts I can't taper worth a darn...lol
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Jack Denbow on April 10, 2018, 04:08:22 PM
I think you can order them from Surewood cut to length and tapered. That may be the way to go until know whether you like them or not.
Jack
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Zradix on April 10, 2018, 04:18:24 PM
That's a thought.
I don't know the length though.
I sorta pick the spine and tip weight and trim the shaft to fly well.
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: STICKBENDER98 on April 10, 2018, 05:56:57 PM
Give Steve a call at Surewood, they offer test kits in different spine weights.  I'm pretty sure they could fix you up with different spines and lengths already tapered for you.  I have tried the tru taper jig also on the fir shafts and it wants to splinter and split instead of shaving. 

Jason
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Tedd on April 10, 2018, 07:50:39 PM
This thing works great on Douglas Fir. No ripping out the grain at all. I have only done about 2 dozen but it is still really sharp. Time will tell how long it lasts. It cuts cedar like butter. (I think my previous post got pulled. Either that or I didn't hit "post". So I'll just say this was purchased from Custom King for $7.50)
Here is a sample taper I just did on a Surewood Douglas Fir.
[attachment=1,msg2791306]
[attachment=2,msg2791306]
[attachment=3,msg2791306]
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: M60gunner on April 10, 2018, 09:44:36 PM
If you do proceed with the tool you have please let us know how it works out. My tool will be scrap metal as soon as I run out of blades. Yanks you
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Zradix on April 10, 2018, 10:04:39 PM
Thanks Guys.

if I do go this route I'll ket you all know
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: rraming on April 11, 2018, 06:25:35 AM
The bearpaw deluxe tool works on fir shafts, I have used it and own one of the original shiny ones, It will eventually look like a washboard but not crazy, more grip for adhesive. Woodchuck does work better though, smooth
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: Zradix on April 11, 2018, 07:58:39 AM
Cool Thanks!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: SlowBowinMO on April 11, 2018, 09:44:30 AM
Hand held taper tools work great on DF.  The key is a sharp blade and light pressure.  Push too hard or get impatient it'll start to cause problems.
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: pavan on April 11, 2018, 10:19:42 AM
i bought a one speed plastic drill for $5, a 6" grinding disc, hose clamped it to a board with slot for the grinding disc, made a straight line to the grinding disc and then a 5 degree line to the disc with finish nails on the line as a  guide.   Then the other day, blast it all anyway, my good drill died while I was fixing my garage door and had to take my taper tool apart. 
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: hitman on April 11, 2018, 06:23:12 PM
X2 what SlowBowinMo said.
Title: Re: Douglas fir and a good razor blade taper tool?
Post by: YosemiteSam on April 12, 2018, 12:59:05 PM
X3 on SlowBowinMo's comment.  I've only done a dozen or so but I've just been using the cheapo pencil sharpener version that 3Rivers sells.  Works fine.  Just keep the pressure light.  I'm sure a sander would be better but I can use up a lot of cheapo razor sharpeners before it's worth stepping up to the sander.