Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 25, 2003 05:56pm | #1

   Here's an online article at Benchmark that cover some technical stuff:
   http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/ShaperVersusRouter/shaper_versus_router.html

   Here's a link to the last big thread (not long ago) here at Knots on router vs. shaper:
   http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-knots&msg=13633.1

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   migraine | Oct 25, 2003 08:16pm | #2

   I have sooo many routers of different varing speeds and horse power, but when it comes to making doors, a shaper is the best.  Even 2 or more are even better.  The profiles tend to be a little larger than the router bits and one important thing to mention is a shaper is QUIETER.  Cutters cost more, but they last longer and they don't burn as easily.  Plus since they have a larger cutting diameter, they will not tear out as much.  try to buy as much horse power as possible, and a haper that has at least a 3/4" spindle.  Check EBay and maybe you will fing a used piece in your area.  If you consider buying used you have a dial indicator, take it with you to make sure the spindle is true.  Also, the taller the spindle the better(height under the nut)

   I have a delta 2 hp, a jet 5 hp and I sold my SCMI 9hp before moving.  Prior to sell it, I coud run cope, stick, raised panel on each machine and never needed to change the set ups.  The Jet has the tightest set of height adjutment that I have ever used on a shaper, up and down.  No dropping when lowering the height for minor adjustment

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 26, 2003 01:57am | #3

   jack

      I usually answer router table for the average hobbyiest as I am. You did not mention if you were going to do raised panels pretty much exclusively, or is this a one timer.

      If you are going to do them daily, or quite often I would go with the shaper to push the large raised panel bits you are going to use. The larger bits are the shapers forte. It will push them all day long without breaking a sweat.

      Router tables mounted with a 3+ HP can push 1 1/2" + bits, but they are more suited for everything below that. Think of pulling a large, heavy trailer with a small size pick-up. You can, but not on a day-in, day-out basis.

   Good Luck...

   sarge..jt