I have been woodworking for over 20 years now and consider myself half way decent at it, but I have never owned a shaper or router table. I can’t make up my mind as to buy a Grizzly shaper at around $500.00, or build a base, buy the table top and upgrade my router for a router table set up. I do not plan on using either of these for production work, just on occasion. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
msarrault
Replies
I'm no expert and youv'e been doing it longer than I, but the applications you described sound more applicable to a router and RT to me. Cost and selection of cutters is a consideration as well as quantity of worked to be done with them.
I've owned and used both, currently have a big Mak under a very substantial table with a Woodpecker Unilift and a rotating fence. Depends on what you do!
Lots of T and VG panelling, go for a shaper.
Lots of fiddly over-the-cutter moulding and joining, go for a router table.
M
I have both. Since you said you would not be using it routinely, I believe the answer is relatively certain -- go for a router table.
I have, and high recommend, a Jessem Mast R Lift with the largest Porter Cable router, which fits easily in the Jessem.
I built Norm's Deluxe Router Table based on the plans from New Yankee Workshop. Heavy duty, solid, high quality.
As it turns out, I use the router table much more than the shaper. Which is a Bridgewood and is great.
Have fun,
Alan - planesaw
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