Replies

1. 
   seankzn | Aug 26, 2005 10:30pm | #1

   Micro,

   Sterling published the "Shaper Handbook" by Roger Cliffe & Michael Holtz.  It was the only publication on the subject I could find when I bought my shaper in 1995.  Quite comprehensive and I refer to it still.

   Sean

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 26, 2005 10:39pm | #2

   Thank you I will check that out as well as any other suggestions.

2. 
   RickL | Aug 26, 2005 11:47pm | #3

   http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?pf_id=03.316&dept_id=12673

   This is the best shaper book out there. I've got machine books going back to the 30's and this one is the most comprehensive on the shaper. Much more advanced than Cliffe's. The other one worth finding are the old Deltagram books...still around in libraries and available to buy if you look in the right places...

   http://www.biblio.com/details.php?dcx=42991221&aid=bkfndr&t=1

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 26, 2005 11:55pm | #4

   Rick,Thanks I buy from the japan woodworker regularly.I'll check it out.Rick

3. 
   notDusty | Aug 27, 2005 07:37am | #5

            Hi micr03 ,

                                Much can be learned from books on many things . Are  there any specific things or information you are in need of ? Common sense and safety and personal protection are # 1 . Start using a shaper much like a router mounted in a router table , besides more power the basic concepts are similar . Take small passes first and increase the bite until you get a feel for the optimum feed rate and size of the bite taken . Use push sticks much like you would on the TS . You can read a book on how to play the guitar , but when done you will not know how to play the guitar , you can grasp some basics but doing and learning will be better teachers .

                                good          luck                    dusty

1. 
   micr03 | Aug 27, 2005 03:22pm | #6

   I sent a piece of mdf through a raised panel cutter and did just what you said, a smsll pass.and then a bigger one. I've been doing custom high end carpentry for about 18 years and have to admit the shaper is pretty scary the first time.It doesn't seem like the cutter could take that big of a pass.As all tools,something to respect!Do you have a lot of experience with shapers?It is nice to have someone to call on a whim before you do something stupid.Thanks, Rick P.S. How do you put file attatchments on your thread?

1. 
   notDusty | Aug 27, 2005 04:31pm | #7

   micr03 ,

                There are folks here on this forum that have oodles of knowledge on shapers , more then myself . I have been using them for about 30 years and currently run 5 in my one person shop . Mine are all under 5 hp , older machines .Davis & Wells , Delta , Powermatic . These are considered small by some , but will do the tasks I need them to do . When I run mdf raised panels on 1/2" stock it gets run in one pass and comes out fairly smooth and requires little sanding . As far as the file attachments go , look in the sandbox area of this site or do a search on "attaching files" or better yet if we can get forestgirl to jump in here and give you instructions as she does so well .

                         dusty