Shaper Package

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:01 am

Anyone have experience with the shaper package?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:38 am

Yes, I do. Works well, also the parts can be used on other operations.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:18 am

charlese wrote:Yes, I do. Works well, also the parts can be used on other operations.

Do you use the speed increaser with the shaper?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:00 pm

a1gutterman wrote:Do you use the speed increaser with the shaper?

No! Don't have one! I use it from above the table and have never used that red plastic thingy. Have only used it with router bits a few times.

Now use it with the shaper bits. In both cases, router bits or shapers, it's like thinking upside down. Similar to the OPR.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:38 pm

charlese wrote:No! Don't have one! I use it from above the table and have never used that red plastic thingy. Have only used it with router bits a few times.

Now use it with the shaper bits. In both cases, router bits or shapers, it's like thinking upside down. Similar to the OPR.

Do you get a good cut and do you have to make multiple passes?
I looked at Nicks video and it seemed to work very well.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS124/SS124_Setting_Up_Shaper.htm

qtndas01 · Post by **qtndas01** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:04 pm

I used to us it for cope & stick for raised panel doors without a speed increaser. I learned some tricks from Carmen who ran the classes at the Phila. store. We used to cut in one pass with red oak. The results were satisfactory. We used jigs to make the cuts and dressed the steel cutters after each use. I only have one style of cutters, so all my raised panel doors had the same style. I don't use it as often anymore since I have the Over arm router.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:40 pm

Hi,

I have the package minus the speed increaser. It was one of my very early purchases but I have not used it as a shaper in years. The more I got in to routers the less the shopsmith "shaper" package provided in terms of what my router setups could do. When I upgrade to a 520 I also got the new fence to go with it and I have not done any shaper operations with that yet... I didn't get it for shaper purpose either, so I guess this is to say it has more uses then converting the shopsmith to a shaper.

I had early exposure to a shaper so I had cutters before I got the shopsmith system... thus none of my cutters are the shopsmith ones. I found it interesting at the time that certain cutters seemed to have cutters that did not make since and I couldn't figure out how to use them. Then maybe 5 or 6 years ago I found out that "real" shapers spin in both direction! The very very old sears one we had didn't do that nor can the shopsmith... that was an eye opener to me. Just shows how you can think you know something and really not know it at all. That also explained why some of the cutters didn't make since.

I guess if I had the speed increaser and if I could afford to get new cutters I might like shaper as an option. Right now they are not even on my wish list... just too many tools and not enough budget.

If you are planning to get one also check the prices of the cutters. Please also note the selection of profiles might be limited by the 1/2" shopsmith arbor. Unless things have changed a lot shapers tend to have more like 3/4" bores... and at least the last time I looked a cutter was more expensive then a router bit. (Not saying they are not worth it but if you have a budget it can get eaten up fast buying bits/cutters.)

Ed

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:29 pm

This company has 3/4" shaper cutters with 1/2" bushing.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/shapernx.html

I have a router table with a large 3 1/4 hp Freud router that would be more than up to the job. Just kinda like the Shopsmith system.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:52 pm

Just one more thing.... shaper bits can be LARGE 4"-5" in dia so while a bushing might get it to fit I really don't think you will want to be spinning that bit around on the shopsmith. More then likely they are expecting you to use the set they supply. I don't have the set but maybe someone who does can tell us the diameter of those???

Ed

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:03 pm

cincinnati wrote:Do you get a good cut and do you have to make multiple passes?
I looked at Nicks video and it seemed to work very well.

When using the shaper cutters the profile is very smooth. I usually do two passes with shapers, this picks up those little irregularities and cuts down sanding needs. But there is little need for multiple bites.

With router bits, I have to take small bites and go slower.

I need to add - when making picture frames I will not rely on just one shaper cutter. I usually re-shape the profile with other cutters. This makes interesting stuff.