A taper lock apparatus, including a screw defining a longitudinal axis and having a tapered end at one end thereof, the tapered end including a threaded bore extending partially along the longitudinal axis; a compression fitting having expansions, the fitting defining an internal space having an internal taper, the internal space configured to mate at least partially with the tapered end of the screw; and a retaining screw configured to mate with the threaded bore, wherein tightening of the retaining screw into the bore engages the taper end of the screw with the internal taper of the fitting forcing the expansions radially outward.