Shaper spindle size, what’s best?
AKwoodworker | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I’m planing to buy a Powermatic model 27 shaper for a home shop. Do I really need this much shaper? Do I need one at all? Probably not but I want one. My question is what spindle set-up would be best? Best for a little bit of everything. From small mouldings through some occasional sash and door work. I’m not looking for production, just the best all around spindle set up. The model 27 offers from 1/2 – 3/4 interchangable spindles up through a 1 1/4″ solid spindle. There is also the question of either a 3 or 5 hp motor. Thanks for your advice.
Akwoodworker
Replies
Well, are you a machine head or not? :) I've never heard of anyone being disappointed about buying too much machine. I hear all the time about people being disappointed because they didn't buy enough machine. I'd get the 1.25" spindle and the 3HP motor.
You might want to look in all the shaper cutter catalogs first, though, and make sure you can get the shapes you need in the spindle size you want. I assume that every profile is available for every spindle size, but I could be wrong.
AK' I have almost the same machine that you're looking at, mine's a model 26, the predecessor of the 27. I purchased mine at an auction. when I got it, it came equipped with the interchangeable 3/4" spindle. As it turns out, it was bent and needed replacement. I wanted to do some raised panel work with the machine so I opted to replace the entire spindle assembly with the 1 1/4" solid spindle. I can say that I've been very pleased with the performance of the machine but should add that cutters with a 1 1/4" bore are much less common than their 3/4" bore counterparts. As a result, I own fewer, but higher quality cutters.
Based on your description of what you want the machine to do, I'd have to recommend the interchangeable spindles. I don't see much use for the 1/2", but there are an abundance of cutters designed for the 3/4" spindle. As for the motor size, if you have the electrical capacity to run the bigger machine, go for the 5HP. Mine's a 3HP and I haven't had any problems, but I probably will sometime in the future, the Tim "the Toolman" Taylor effect I suppose.
Good luck.
-Kurt
From my experience with shapers (which I run almost daily producing custom millwork) Iwould go with a 1 1/4 " spindle ,preferably interchangable with smaller sizes and a 3hp unless you have 3phase in which case go 5hp.Having said this keep enough money for a power feed .Remember that 3 or 5 hp shapers are not super charged routers.They propel large pieces of wood at speeds that will amaze you.We calculated that a 1by 4 by 40 " was doing over 100mph when it left the shaper!Iv'e had a knife shatter once so be very careful over set ups .Table saws amputate ,shapers try to kill.
However there is a lot of satifaction in being able to produce your own mouldings
Good luck
Jako
I wish I had the coin to buy a 3/4 inch spindle shaper. You can get some nifty bits for panel rasing. As for panelrasing I'm limited to using the table saw or router bits. (Sears has some unguided 1&1/2" curved and angle panel raisers that really work well on a budget.
So I struggle with a 1/2 inch non interchangeable Sears craftsman shaper table. I use Rockwell shaper bits and have put out lots of Cope & Stile cabinet doors as well as rounding over miles of stock. At 15 bucks a bit You can afford to explore.
I've even built 1-3/8 inch thick interior oak passage doors with the C&S bits.
Yes it would be great for the powermatic tool or even the delta but there are many things calling for my money and this met 90% of the need for 30% the price.
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