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[QUOTE=Howard Klepper]
I think I get it--I could set the angle of a straight blade in a toolpost and use the cross slide to cut the taper. But diameters as well as taper are critical for a bridge pin.

Thanx Billy[/QUOTE] Howard,
Angles are the least precise settings in machining, and the hardest to measure accurately.
Diameters are very easy. I think I would make a tool to cut the pins very much like a pencil sharpener. I think I would try to make it from hard steel with a tapered hole and a slot, no blade. Use the sharp slot edge to do the cutting.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

You could probably make it by drilling the hole in a block, ream it out with the proper taper reamer, cut the corner out with a pair of 90* cuts, then put a burr on one edge, much like you would a scraper.  If not, just make it out of hardwood, and use a utility knife blade mounted at the correct angle, and at a height in the cut out that would put it at the proper position to shave the material off, just like a pencil sharpener.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

[quote]But diameters as well as taper are critical for a bridge pin.[/quote]

   I'm refering to working in metal, comparativly, wood is wide open. Wish I had a camera I'd do a Hesh style tutorial!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

You could get one of those little (toy) wood lathes that pen makers use. They are small, inexpensive and just the right size for pins. Do not get a bloody great huge lathe, or the missus will keep on at you until you make that four poster bed she's always wanted - ask me how I know.

Now, why someone would want to spend all their free time making pens is beond me...

Check that angle out and I think you'll find what you're looking for.