Replies

1. 
   Adrian | Aug 22, 2005 07:31pm | #1

   Shapers are great tools....powerful and versatile. I don't believe the routers can replace a shaper, but it depends on what you want to do. There are good books written on the subject...one is the Shaper Handbook by Cliffe and Holtz, if it's still in print.....Lonnie Bird has one on shapers also that is published by Taunton. Both are very good introductions to the machine.

   Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
2. 
   jackplane | Aug 22, 2005 09:43pm | #2

   Reliant is a Taiwanese brand of less than professional quality. I once used a Reliant finsh nailer for 2 years before it imploded so badly/ not worth fixing. Still, if the motor sounds good and the bearings are substantial this may work for you.

     Routers will never replace shapers; shapers do far more far faster than what a router is designed for. Your only limitation with either is your skill and creativity. I've built tombstone raised panels in oak with a PC 1 1/2 hp router. Yeah a shaper would've been easier, but ya work with what ya have.

    

1. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 23, 2005 07:49pm | #8

   only limitation with either is your skill and creativity..
   Jack hit the nail right on the head with that one..I have a shaper.. OLD and hardly ever used.. I just use my Routers.. Does NOT make the shaper bad! Just what I feel comfortable with..

3. 
   forestgirl | Aug 22, 2005 11:38pm | #3

   This article may help:
   http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/ShaperVersusRouter/shaper_versus_router.html

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   Fiddler | Aug 23, 2005 10:02am | #5

   That is really good link forestgirl. Thanks.

2. 
   woodmun | Aug 24, 2005 04:01am | #9

   thank you forestgirl, excelent example & explination, that and all the other answers were very helpful thanks again      "woodmun"

4. 
   notDusty | Aug 23, 2005 07:53am | #4

             woodmun ,

                              Routers have not and will never take the place or replace shapers . Yes routers can do most any profile / raised panel and moldings that a shaper can do . One thing about a router is you can take it to the work . with a shaper you take the work to the machine . IMO what is important is that you use the correct tool in the right application , for example a small sander will sand very well on a small surface , if you attempted to sand a gymnasium floor you may be under tooled for the application .

                        dusty

5. 
   nikkiwood | Aug 23, 2005 04:21pm | #6

   There has been much discussion of this issue around here over the years.

   Here's the way I've processed all that info: if you do a lot of raised panels or cope and stick doors, then the shaper makes a lot of sense. Otherwise, you can generally make-do with a 3 hp router.

   In your case, since you already have the shaper, it probably makes sense to buy a cutter and try it out. I have never heard anyone say a router is "better" than a shaper (more versatile, maybe, but not better).

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

6. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 23, 2005 07:46pm | #7

   raised panel tombstone doors?..

   Just me.. And both take a bit' of practice..

7. 
   mudman | Aug 24, 2005 06:52am | #10

   I would think twice about buying cutters for a low powered (less than three hourse) shaper. Shaper cutters weigh a lot more and need a lot of power to cut effectively, especially with large panel raisers and the such. Routers are very versitile.

   Mike