Shaper Collar Identification

[shoedo]

First question, are all of these collars used for shaper operations or can they be used for other purposes? What is the difference between the two collars? One has a groove (recessed) cut into it and the other doesn't. All of the collars are recessed except for one. Is the one that is not recessed not a shaper collar? Second question - What is the intended application? Third question - Notice that one of the arbors are lager than the other four. Is the larger arbor for larger shapers? I also noticed that some of the arbors are not equipped with tongue washers. I know they are required but as a novice, it's a good thing I am educating myself.

[DLB]

I think that the only true Shaper Collars are rub collars of various diameter. Their purpose is to limit/control depth of cut, or secondarily to position the cutter at a specific height on the arbor. See PTWFE Chapter 9, and the current version being sold:
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... rarbor.htm

IIRC the current Shaper Arbors were, at one time, sold with the collars and the recessed washers that allowed them to be used like a SS 1/2 inch general purpose arbor. The recesses goes against the wheel of the accessory. There are also recessed spacers (thicker, but same purpose).

I think there are older Shaper arbors that don't have collars and did come with washers/spacers. I don't have one and don't know exactly what they came with or how they are meant to be configured. An old version of PTWFE might explain how they should be configured. IMO washers/spacers would be likely to get in the way when using the shaper so I don't see how they can ever be 'necessary' for a shaper cutter. See your fourth arbor down in your fourth picture, appears to be a washer and spacer and they both conflict with the useful profile portions of the cutter. (Okay, the spacer could be a collar which would make the conflict deliberate and correct, so that's illustrative only.)

- David

[chapmanruss]

David gave you some good information to start you off but lets get into the history and progression of the Shaper Adapter/Arbor/Spindle. First a picture of the Shaper Adapters and Spindles.

Shaper Adapters-Spindles - labeled.jpg (237.49 KiB) Viewed 6398 times

The top row dates back to the Model 10's and there were two size adapters, a 5/16" and the common 1/2". These continued into the Mark 5 Greenie and Goldie era's. The 5/16" adapter was discontinued completely. The 1/2" was replaced by the 1/2" Universal Arbor P/N 27 030 prior to 1964 number changes followed by 505505 with the black coating. 27 030 and 505505 were universal arbors and came with a machined spacer and two washers. It is the machined recess you were asking about. 505505 had a second version with a larger diameter base shortly before it was discontinued. To use any of the these you would buy the rub collar set separately. The 27 030 and 505505 Arbors are shown in the picture below. The 505505 1/2" was not exactly discontinued but changed into the 555117 Shaper Spindle by removing the machined spacer and washers and replacing them with the rub collar set. Shaper Spindle 555117 is on the bottom row of the picture above with the two Speed Increaser Spindles one with plain rub collars (555463) and the other with ball bearing rub collars (555472). These two spindles can also be used with a router chuck directly on the headstock spindle. In your last two pictures you have a collection of 1/2" arbors with rub collars and the machines washers/spacers.

Arbors page 2 - labeled.jpg (202.36 KiB) Viewed 6398 times