[Sandstorm]

Another noob question. I've got an 18x24 mat that came in last week. Seems pretty good but I'm having a bit of an issue with my taper jig and other bits sliding around on it. This one's some kind of triple layer PVC but I noticed there's also a cotton variety. Do you guys have any preference on which ones are better? I know I'm knit picking a bit, but the ole anal retentiveness is at play and I like to have the right tools for the job. TIA!

 

[Hoss]

The one I use is made by Fiskars and works really well.
Not sure what type of tapering jig you have, mine is made of plexiglass.
I put very fine grit self-adhesive sandpaper on the bottom of my tapering jig, when you place it on the rubber it will stay in place and will not slip around.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Sandstorm]

The one I use is made by Fiskars and works really well.
Not sure what type of tapering jig you have, mine is made of plexiglass.
I put very fine grit self-adhesive sandpaper on the bottom of my tapering jig, when you place it on the rubber it will stay in place and will not slip around.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

That's a great idea Hoss, thanks very much. I have one of these black taper ruler things. I've been having a heck of a time with it to be honest with you.

I see others using them all the time and it looks easy, but mine slides and I get uneven bands and a bit of frustration. I'd like to get one of those universal taper rulers as I'm not sure what tapers I like yet, but don't know where to order it from. (The plexiglass ones)

 

[Hoss]

I made my own using plexiglass, they work great. Look at the bottom picture and you can see the sand paper. This is just a few I have several more with different tappers.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[Sandstorm]

I made my own using plexiglass, they work great. Look at the bottom picture and you can see the sand paper. This is just a few I have several more with different tappers.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

Also a great idea. I'll order myself up some plexiglass. It's useful for all sorts of other stuff anyway and I always like working on projects that keep my hands busy. Thanks kindly for the input.

 

[Sandstorm]

This was the one I was eyeing online: https://slingshooting.com/universal-taper-ruler/

 

[Tobor8Man]

I had a tapering jig - once. It drove me crazy. I kept fighting with it, thinking that it was a matter of improving my technique, until I watched Fowler cut tapered bands with a metal edged ruler, a rotary cutter, and a self-healing mat. Tried Fowler's method and cut a perfect set of bands.

Maybe try a metal or metal edged ruler before you buy another jig.

 

[Sandstorm]

I had a tapering jig - once. It drove me crazy. I kept fighting with it, thinking that it was a matter of improving my technique, until I watched Fowler cut tapered bands with a metal edged ruler, a rotary cutter, and a self-healing mat. Tried Fowler's method and cut a perfect set of bands.

Maybe try a metal or metal edged ruler before you buy another jig.

Thanks, and you're exactly right. I've been using a steel straight edge the past few days and it's been working out just fine. That and replaced my cutting wheel. I think rather than buy one pre-made I'll mess with various tapers until I get a few I really like, then make some permanent templates like Hoss showed above. You know how it is to want the new gadget though

I forgot this whole thread was about self healing mats! If I can come across one of those cotton ones somewhere I'll pick one of those up too just to see if there's a difference.

 

[Sean Khan]

Self healing ma...... LOL... I use yesterday's newspapers.

"Today's news. Tomorrow's fish wrap."

 

[raventree78]

This was the one I was eyeing online: https://slingshooting.com/universal-taper-ruler/

I have one of these, they work way better than the style you currently have, at least it does for me YMMV also once you decide on a taper you like I would recommend green mountain / blue water on amazon, they will make you a template / jig that will cut multiple bands at once. I am completely satisfied with the one I bought from them.

 

[Sandstorm]

Haha much appreciated guys. Gives me some insight and some options. Thanks as usual.

 

[Tobor8Man]

Self healing ma...... LOL... I use yesterday's newspapers.

"Today's news. Tomorrow's fish wrap."

Wait -what's a newspaper? Can I use my news feed? Will Apple News work? Do I need to subscribe to Apple News + or is Google News sufficient?

 

[Sandstorm]

Self healing ma...... LOL... I use yesterday's newspapers.

"Today's news. Tomorrow's fish wrap."

Wait -what's a newspaper? Can I use my news feed? Will Apple News work? Do I need to subscribe to Apple News + or is Google News sufficient?

Any of those will work

 

[Sean Khan]

Wait -what's a newspaper?

Also used as baby diapers... or dinner napkin... or toilet paper... or origami-necktie.... can't miss it.

 

[Tobor8Man]

Table cloth, wrapping paper, glass cleaner, garden mulch, paper mache, drawing paper, kindling, kites, hats, book covers, packing material...

How I miss newspapers

 

[Cvedrick]

2 for $1 kitchen chopping mats

 

[Valery]

I'd like to get one of those universal taper rulers as I'm not sure what tapers I like yet, but don't know where to order it from. (The plexiglass ones)

Many glass cutting shops also work with Plexiglas. The second option is outdoor (street) advertising workshops.

 

[Trap1]

@Hoss What thickness o you use? (I take it you get it in various thk's)

 

[Sandstorm]

I completely forgot about this thread. 5 months later and I’ve still not settled on a taper 😂

 

[Booral121]

Get yourself these templates for band cutting 👌🎯👊👍 there's nothing beating these like 🎯👊👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 oh and 18-23 is the taper of legends 🤣👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👊🎯