shaper vs. router table

Boylan | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on February 4, 2004 07:05am

Sorry if this is a well-trodden issue but I really could use some help in deciding whether or not to invest in a Delta X series 3hp shaper. It will cost me about $1500.00 after the rebates. I am a bit weary of fooling around with trying to find the right router table set-up and it just seems like simply making the commitment to the solid tool may be wise. Especially since I can run both router and shaper bits in it.

I’d be very thankful for any input and wisdom.

Thank you,

Mike

Replies

forestgirl | Feb 04, 2004 09:10pm | #1
Here is an excellent presentation that might help making that decision:
http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/ShaperVersusRouter/shaper_versus_router.html

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

Scrit | Feb 05, 2004 03:40am | #3
Excellent article. As a spindle moulder user (sorry, Britspeak for shaper) I'd add a couple of other things - shapers can be used to cut furniture depth tenons in one pass, i.e. 2 to 3in and it is possible to obtain a wide range of resharpenable HSS and toolsteel (carbide too if you wish) profile cutters to go into the so-called Universal blocks. This can considerable reduce the price of your tooling as you need only one or two blocks and then sets of knives. I've been buying KWO and CMT cutters for a while now and they run me about $20/set here ($35 if I buy the sets with limiter knives).

Scrit

robkelly1 | Feb 04, 2004 09:59pm | #2
Since getting my 3hp shaper, I've used the RT maybe 2 or 3 times in over 5 yrs, and the shaper 100+ times at least. Look around for a used shaper at $700 or so and spend the extra $$ on tooling and a power feeder. If you're in So. Calif., I think Davis&Wells has a few in stock.
JMartinsky | Feb 05, 2004 04:34pm | #4
That's a good article from FG & a decent price for the Delta. Get the shaper.

John
Routerman | Feb 05, 2004 05:07pm | #5
Another take.
Boylan | Feb 05, 2004 09:21pm | #6
Just wanted to say thanks for your input gentlemen, it has indeed been enlightening. I think I am going to make the committment and purchase the shaper.

I'll still be seeking a decent router fence that will actually work with a Nu-craft router table but hey why should the search ever end?...I have just all this money and time after all :)