I’m saving to buy a 3hp (minimum) shaper with a power feeder, most likely a Grizzly. I’ve had inquiries from customers for hardwood moldings.

I’ve got quite a bit of experience using shapers in the past for making moldings and in stile and rail door construction, so I know what to expect.

I don’t know anything about the capabilities of a planer/molder. I’ve never used one as a molder. Are these machines any good? Grizzly has two models (G0477 and G1037Z) and Shopfox has one (G0680) varying in HP from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2. That seems underpowered to me. Will it really cut 4″ wide moldings in hardwood? I realize that this type of machine could not do stile and rail work and was interested in the molding making capabilities only.

I’d be very interested in hearing from those who have experience with any of these machines.

Thanks in advance, Bret