Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Dec 27, 2007 03:33am | #1

   They will work :-(    but your feed rate has to be slowed down by 75% to 66% to get the same number of cuts per inch.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 27, 2007 03:46am | #2

   Most shapers out there operate at 7000 & 10,000 rpm's.  They are designed to rotate cutterheads with diameters from 3" to 7", and with industrial shapers, much larger.

   Routers are operating bits with diameters of 1/2" to 3 1/2". 

   If you are purchasing the shaper for the purpose of operating router bits 80% of the time, then my advice is simple........ don't.  Get yourself a good router table and router.

   However, if you're going to operate shaper cutterheads most of the time, and want to have the option of running the occasional raised panel router bit in it, then you'll be fine.

   They are really two different tools, and should be used accordingly.  I operate my shaper for shaper functions, and I have a nice router table for routing.  They don't mix well, as stated above, as you will get mixed results running small router bits that need to run at 18,000 plus rpm's at the much slower speed.

   My .02, born from experience.

   Jeff

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/26/2007 7:47 pm ET by JeffHeath

3. 
   danmart | Dec 27, 2007 03:46am | #3

   The shaper works really well with the bits that need to be slowed down ie panel raising bits(3 1/2") stuff. The shaper is a nice tool to have in your shop. Enjoy it.

    

    

1. 
   philip_r | Dec 28, 2007 01:51am | #5

   What do you want to do with the shaper?  Do you already have a router table?  Of not, I'd suggest purchasing  a router table first.  If you already have one... then a shaper is a nice addition.  Will a router bit run in a shaper... yes... but it will not be the greatest cut

   I use my RT 90% of the time and turn to my 3HP Jet shaper for the last 10%.  For a hobbiest - even an advanced one - a router table is usually the best buy.  To be honest, I wanted a shaper because I thought it would be superior to a router table...  it is not.  They have many similaritys... but a shaper is not a router table and a router table is not a shaper.

4. 
   Hastings | Dec 27, 2007 06:25pm | #4

   Matt:

   I do this all the time and have a mix of shaper cutters and router bits. However, my shaper has changeable spindles. With a high-speed router spindle I get up to 15,000 RPM. Also have the variable speed option as well.

   I do not have the room for both shaper and router tables so this "best of both worlds" works well for me.

   Regards,

   Hastings

5. 
   philip | Dec 28, 2007 09:20am | #6

   If you tell us what type of shaper and what speeds it has a better answer to your question will be forthcoming- I believe.
   Generally speaking only the biggest diameter router bits will lend themselves to use in a shaper as then the peripheral speed will be high enough-it is the peripheral speed which is the important factor. So it will be those helicopter bits (31/2 inch plus panel/hair raisers etc) which will work reasonably in a shaper but most router bits are of much smaller diameter than that-hence the need for the much higher spindle speeds found in routers when compared to shapers, and these will not produce good results in a shaper unless the shaper has some unusually high speeds i.e in the range of 15K to 20K.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   mattank | Dec 28, 2007 04:07pm | #7

   First of all Thanks for all the replys!! I already have a router table but the top is sagging because I leave my router hanging in it,and I dont want to spend money or time to build one only to have this happen again. The shapers I have been looking at have max. speeds of 10000 rpm. Probably not fast enough for small bits but should work fine for large ones? Trying to stay in the 1000 dollar range with one. Thanks for the help!! Matt

1. 
   Jimurock | Dec 28, 2007 05:42pm | #8

   Have you tried using a steel router-table top?  Several companies make them, and they won't sag.  General makes an entire table that's a monster.

   Jim

1. 
   philip_r | Dec 28, 2007 07:45pm | #9

   I'd suggest purchasing a new router top or reinforce the one you already have.  Save the money and putt the remaining $$$ in to another tool.  Just mho.

   If $1,000 is your budget, you are likely looking at the 1.5 to 2.0 HP shapers.  While I'm sure they are fine machines for small cabinet work (rails, stiles and raised panels), 10,000 RPM is about 1/2 the recommended speed for most router bits.  At that low speed, most router bits will tend tear the wood and/or leave burn marks when you slow your feed rate to get a cleaner cut.

   Trust me on this one.  I purchased a 3 HP shaper only to find out that it makes a lousy router table.  $1,400 or $1,500 bucks for the shaper, another $1,000 or so for the 5 or 6 shaper cutters and likely another $900 in the future for a power feeder... and guess what... I went out and purchased a router table because 10,000 RPM is too slow to to run a router bit without causing myself a lot of cleanup work.  Have you ever tried to sand-out multiple burn marks on end-grain?  You'll get good at it!

   If I had it to do over again, I would purchase or make a router table and purchase something else for the shop.  Don't get me wrong, I won't part with my shaper... but if you are a hobbyist, it has very little bang for the buck...  Unlike a large cabinet saw, an 8" to 12" jointer, or that 14" to 18" bandsaw that you'll use on every project.

   Just my 2 cents.

6. 
   jackplane | Dec 29, 2007 06:09pm | #10

   using 3 wing router bits will give a comparable finshed edge in a shaper...

   Expert since 10 am.