Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone built a dedicated shaper/router table using a Shopsmith headstock?

rlkeeney wrote:Has anyone built a dedicated shaper/router table using a Shopsmith headstock?

I would be interested to see that as well. I was just given an extra headstock.

Oakay, so the SS will perform as a router, so-so, but the idea is that the SS takes up less space then having a bunch of stand alones, so having a so-so router wood be acceptable if the goal is woodworking in a confined space. If you have room for a dedicated shaper and/or router, why knot use a machine that performs better?

a1gutterman wrote:Oakay, so the SS will perform as a router, so-so, but the idea is that the SS takes up less space then having a bunch of stand alones, so having a so-so router wood be acceptable if the goal is woodworking in a confined space. If you have room for a dedicated shaper and/or router, why knot use a machine that performs better?

+1
I have a 3 hp shaper and it can spin up to a 5 1/2" cutter, that's alot to spin on any machine not designed to handle that kind of a load. Also you may want to think about adding a feeder if using many cutters that size, where to mount it? Even a shaper isn't that good spinning router bits using the appropriate collet. Most router bits are designed to be run around 20K rpms while most shapers only run 7K to 10K rpms, meaning you have to slow the feed rate down alot to get the same cut.

Unless space is a major consideration, seriously consider getting the most appropriate machine for what you're planning to do.

I think I can safely say this as someone that's had shapers for around 40 years.

Paul

hcbph wrote:Unless space is a major consideration, seriously consider getting the most appropriate machine for what you're planning to do.

I think I can safely say this as someone that's had shapers for around 40 years.

Paul

I have the most appropriate machine. A SS 500.

beeg wrote:I have the most appropriate machine. A SS 500.

You have a SS 500 dedicated for shaping??? I do understrand that the SS is capable as a shaper, but as a dedicated shaper???