I am looking for advice on a direction I am thinking of taking in getting started with shaper tooling. I build furniture for a hobby, not a living, so I don’t need the best but have no tolerance for shoddy either. I build typically items for my home or friends, everything from kitchen cabinets to furniture. The shaper I own has a dual 1.25 and .75” spindle and a 3 hp motor. I have been looking about at the various websites to get an idea of what is available i.e. Laguna, Felder, and Amana etc. I am currently leaning toward a serrated shaper head with a 1.25” bore that takes different profile cutters with matching limiters as this seems to be a relatively inexpensive way of starting. I notice there seem to be two generic types being 40mm and 60mm high heads. I am staying away from the aluminum body shaper heads, and sticking with steel. Does it seem like I am going in the right direction?<?xml:namespace /><o:p />
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Hi Bioman ,
A lot really depends on what you think you will need the most often . To do the type of work you mentioned you probably will make stile and rail doors . Several bullnoses along with a cove and eventually a cutter you can make some crown mold and such . One piece 3 wing carbide cutters are truly the way to go for the stile and rail joints . I do use shaper collars with steel knives and they are super in the right applications. Grinding your own is a fun thing , also you can send a pattern and have them ground along with some standard patterns that I believe are available. For starting get a few fixed cutters .
good luck dusty
I personally would stick stock cutters from a company such as freeborn(my personal favorite). I really like their "Tang Tung" for duability, but keep it away from MDF, particle board and plywood. King cutter is a good source but higher prices. One of the best suppliers for "discounted" pricing on either one is Ballew Saw and Tool 1-800-cut-rite. They are also online. I bought my 2" corregated head from them. Their custom grinding that I used for my williams/hussey is on above average quality. They have a great catalogue, too.
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