Replies

1. 
   BG | Aug 29, 2003 12:49pm | #1

   Milanuk,

   I just finished building my router table and went through many of the same issues you raised.  What finally got me going was a post 'router table' in gallery by Tom F., he went top shelf and it did cost close to $1000.  I used various scraps and left out the new router and lifters and spent about $60 bucks...for right now.

   There are really two questions in your post: why a router table/cabinet, why not a shaper.  The router table/cabinet reduces set up time, provides greater repeatability and therefore possibility greater accuracy in a shorter period or time. It provides a central location for all your stuff.  I have enough built in bells and whistles to process the stock safely and quickly.  Lastly, it provides a dedicated workspace for the function which is movable and doesn't infringe on other work space. 

   I'd love a 3 hp shaper...but I'm told the cost of the bits are quite high and I already have an investment in my router bits...so my tradeoff was the router table. It's just much more than I need right now.

   Summarizing, the router table/cabinet, in my case, was the next logical function to get organized and contribute functionality (can't do raised panels with a hand held).  Can't afford the shaper. 

2. 
   Jeff | Aug 29, 2003 01:57pm | #2

   Milanuk

   There's alot of pro and con on the router table vs shaper argument.

   The shaper(s)  is great if you run a production shop or need large quantities of material done.

   The router table can be as cheap and quick or as fancy as you want.  But, it's better for small amounts and frequent changes.

   Some people go the other route and use router tables for production and just throw away the router when it wears out.

   I have 2 router tables in the shop, both set for different uses.  I lucked into a shaper for $50.00 (with cutters) and keep it set up for rabbits.  The few times I need to change to a cabinet door are small, so it works well for me.

   Yes, I could easily live without it and do fine with the router tables alone.

   Hope that helps.

   Jeff

3. 
   fredsmart48 | Aug 29, 2003 04:38pm | #3

   I don't only use my router in the table. I use it to get a straight boards, trim plastic laminate, clean out cavity in the middle of a board and make notices. 

   It is nice to have the shaper and router in a table.  Not every one can afford to have both router  shaper and cutters.  Even if both would cost the same.  The good cheep shaper will cost about  30% or 40% more than the router and the same for the cutters.

4. 
   JeffKurtz | Aug 29, 2003 06:10pm | #4

   I've had both, so I'll try to be objective.  Contrary to what's posted above, I found my shaper to be easier and more accurate to set up than my router.  It runs quietly, produces much less dust, gives a much smoother cut (most cuts don't require sanding), and, given the length of the spindle, it's much more versatile.  Most cuts can be made in one pass with no burning of the wood.

   On the other hand, a nice router table can be made for very little money - i.e. if you don't get snookered into buying a bunch of parts you can easily fabricate yourself.  Router bits are much less expensive than shaper cutters (although shaper cutters can be resharpened many times and should last a lifetime).  Though many routed cuts must be made in more than one pass, few of us are running production shops so a bit more time doesn't really matter.  And, of course, a router may be removed from the table and used for other purposes (although a dedicated router for the table is preferable.)

   Guess the bottom line is if money is a factor, go with a router table, if not then buy a shaper.

   Jeff

1. 
   milanuk | Aug 29, 2003 08:38pm | #5

   Thanks for the replies, everybody. I've looked into things a little bit more, and think I might just stay w/ the router table for now. I had been concerned that spending a bunch of money creating some uber-router-table would be the equivalent of fixing up a contractor's saw w/ all the bells and whistles... makes one heck of a contractors saw, but money probably better spent on a cabinet saw in the long run. Now it seems that the router table and the shaper appear to fill different roles, tho they sometimes overlap. A fair amount of what I want to do anyway is joinery type cuts, which seem better suited to a router table at this point.

   Thanks again,

   Monte

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Aug 31, 2003 04:25am | #6

   I don't recall anyone mentioning the difference in the r.p.m.s between a router and a shaper.  The router has much higher rpms than does the shaper.  A router bit put in a shaper will not turn at the same rate of speed and not do as good a job.

   The shaper bits/cutters are larger (and more expensive, as mentioned) and therefore more expensive.  But, more expensive also, because they are more commercial or production oriented.

   Depending on the type and frequency of work you do, --  if, and when, possible -- get both.  

   I have both and find it hard to imagine being without both of them.

   Alan -- planesaw

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 31, 2003 07:06pm | #7

   Alan

      Well said about the rpm factor. Both have their places.

   sarge..jt

2. 
   RdrgzDesign | Sep 02, 2003 11:53pm | #11

   Hey Milanuk -

   Another thought on the super-router-table idea. FWIW, ignore the urge to splurge on a Rout-R-Lift or like device and check out Milwaukee's 3HP fixed-base router that can be adjusted from the top of the router table when mounted. Goes for around $320 or so. Soon as I can find the cash, it's my choice.

   -R.

5. 
   mike4244 | Sep 01, 2003 04:59am | #8

   I have a router table I made with a 3hp PC router. A small shaper would be ideal if it could also use router bits. Jet makes one that I believe costs about $650.00. This sounds like a better option if you think you may use some shaper cutters in the future.My setup isn't fancy but always does the job.

1. 
   Sancho | Sep 01, 2003 07:18pm | #9

   You also have to consider the space. I have a seperate RT and it takes valuable space shop up. With a router you can mount it in your TS and save that space. I was considering the same thing and decided that Im getting rid of the RT because of the space issue. Also sone shapers run on 220V so you have to think about you electrical needs also. 

   Darkworks: Underground, In the Peoples Republic of California

6. 
   Telemike | Sep 02, 2003 07:32am | #10

   There's lots of good info in this post - there's obviously good reasons for going either way and you have to pick what's best for your own situation.  Another reason for chosing a router table over a shaper (or not) is space.  I have always put a router into the wing of the TS and have gotten a sort of shaper without any more floor space eaten up AND a fence and miter gauge that I don't have to make or buy.

7. 
   ChippingWood | Sep 05, 2003 01:22am | #12

   Hey-

   I read your post a couple days ago and I've been thinking about the shaper vs. router table question. I was in exactly the same situation a year ago- but I had never used either- only understood what they would do. Price came out about even for me, even though I had a router. So I bought the shaper. This one in fact.

   http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/JETWood/Tools/JWS22CS.html

   Okay First off I have the Bosch 1617EVS "2" HP router. And it does a good job et. all. But be warned. My shaper has less HP but I can't get it to bog down- even using a lock miter cutter. Volume wise the shaper motor is at least 5 times larger. And it will use any bit or cutter that I've found so far... 1/4" and 1/2" router bits AND 1/2" and 3/4" spindles. Very excellent. The split fence that comes with the shaper is actually really nice too. Well, the wood on the fence when it came was warped, but it was surprisingly easy to put some nicely jointed replacements in.

   It's also amazingly easy to move the cutter/ bits up and down. Even easier to change them! I really can't see why anyone wouldn't get a shaper over a table set up. Though maybe it is easy to change bits on a table... I don't know. It would have to be to be any easier than my shaper.

   Anyway- if you have a little bit of room I say get the shaper. Don't even mess round with the router table. Oh, and about shaper cutters- they are amazing. I buy mine from Grizzly (cheap!) and you know what? The finish is amazing.

   There is my two cents. Or a year and $600 later. :p

   Keith

8. 
   Napie | Sep 05, 2003 08:25pm | #13

   I have about $300.00 in my old, (mid 50's) 1/2" Craftsman shaper, that includes some, not all, cutters, new stand and motor.  I also use lock edge knives and collars and they are very cost effective.  While I love my 7 P-C routers, the shaper just does a lot of things better, panel raising, T & G work, moulding runs.  It is far quieter and smother also.

9. 
   forestgirl | Sep 06, 2003 11:56pm | #14

   Saw the following link in another Knots thread.  Useful info for this debate!

   Click >>here<<.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   MichaelPB | Sep 09, 2003 06:57pm | #15

   I have used both a router table and my little jet shaper and I would never go back to a router table.  I have the router bit adapter and mainly use 1/2 router bits in it.  The only reason I could see for using a router table is for space and one had it either built into the table saw or had a space where one mounted power tools when in use and stored them somewhere else.

   I have a PC router but I only use it for doing handheld stuff.

   The shaper is quiter, far more powerful, stable, effortless to set, etc.  I recently made a group of handles for a company making machineguns and I set cuts to within 5 thousandths with only about 4-5 test cuts.

   Once you worked on a shaper you will never go back.  They can be found used fairly often, just make sure you can get one that has router bit adapters.