Shaper Performance

[rlkeeney]

I'm seriously considering using my Shopsmith as a shaper. I'm not interested in the router vs shaper debate. I've done a lot of searching ad reading on this subject. The original poster never seems t get their questions answered because the router vs shaper debate hi jacks the thread. So please only reply if you are actually are using your Shopsmith as a shaper.

I want to be able to use it to cut hardwood and composite materials such as MDF or plywood using carbide cutters. No steel. I don't want to learn to sharpen shaper cutters and if they work like router bits on plywood a steel cuter will burn up in a few seconds cutting a glue line. I also want to do some panel raising for cabinet doors.

Cost is a big issue and space not so much. If I have to I will make room for a smaller shaper.

If you are using your Shopsmith as a shaper please share your experiences.

Thanks

[anmius]

I use my Shopsmith as a shaper but not very often. If you have the shaper fence, guard, and featherboard, it works just fine. But since the top speed is a little slow and the horsepower a little light, you have to take relatively shallow cuts and feed at a slower speed. But since I'm usually not in a big hurry, I have had very good results with both softwood and hardwood. I haven't used it on plywood much because of the resultant exposed ply edges and that the glue line is hard on my non-carbide cutters. Give it a try. If you have the shaper attachments, it is cheaper than a separate shaper machine.

[8iowa]

I've use the shopsmith in shaper mode, with the speed increaser, several times with good results. Check out Nick Engler's Sawdust Session 24, it will answer many of your questions.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS124/SS124_Setting_Up_Shaper.htm

And no, the Shopsmith deoes not lack HP for shaping. Nick states in this session that the Shopsmith as a shaper will outperform a 3 HP router.

Shapers do not require the high speeds of routers because there are three cutters instead of two, giving more cuts per inch. Actually, many of the wider router bits, such as raised panel cutters are recommended for speeds not to exceed 10,000 rpm.

[rlkeeney]

The reason for the plywood is for garage, shop, or utility cabinets. They don't look as bad as you might think. I saw a house once that had all of the cabinets made from BC Pine plywood. It looked great. If you are painting them it will be covered any way. I've made a few of these myself.

The Shopsmith shaping system only cheaper than an equivalent stand alone shaper if you don't include the Speed increaser. (Is this equivalent?) Which I am not convinced I do not have a need for.

$150.84 Fence Kit
$35.79 Shaper Arbor
$280.88 Speed Increaser
$27.71 Shaper Table Insert
$495.22 Total

$495 will get me a pretty nice smaller shaper new. A little more will get me a lot more shaper. Used this will buy me a lot of shaper. The used Shopsmith shaper accessories tend to go for premium prices. 50 to 75% of Shopsmith's price. Used shapers can be had pretty cheap.

In the Shopsmith's favor of course there is the space savings. I can put the whole shaping kit in a cabinet or a tool box. I like this a lot.

I have watched the shaper sawdust session three times. There is a lot you can't see and they are not building a project. What kind of cut is he getting? Something that is smooth as a baby's but or rough enough that I need to spend several hours sanding to get smooth.

What I would like to find is someone with real world experience that isn't trying to sell it to me.

I'm not bashing Shopsmith. I'm just trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck without compromising quality.

Another question I have is how smooth of a cut am I going to get with a Shopsmith shaper? BTW I'm picky and green as you can get if you know any thing about True Colors this should tell you something.

[dusty]

Being picky and green, you want to make darn sure that the non-Shopsmith shaper you would get for your $495 is truly a quality piece of equipment. You can trust that with the Shopsmith you have equipment that will last long enough for your kids to pass it on. With that competitive shaper I would not be so sure.

Support from the manufacturer, over the "long haul", is often a determining factor. Shopsmith support is second to done.

Now if you want to get a professional grade stand alone shaper the debate is all over. However, your $495 will probably be about enough to put it on hold but I doubt you'll get out the door with the shaper for that amount.

[anmius]

A speed increaser would be nice but, in my opinion, is not absolutely necessary. It just slows down your feed rate. And yes, without the speed increaser I can get a finish as smooth as a baby's bottom (no or very little sanding required -- depending on your feed rate and set-up). So if you want to go with the least expensive route, you can subtract $280.88 from your calculation. By the way, I've had my Shopsmith since 1980 and I just retired as a carpenter and remodeler (where I started in 1964).

[rlkeeney]

A speed increaser would be nice but, in my opinion, is not absolutely necessary. It just slows down your feed rate. And yes, without the speed increaser I can get a finish as smooth as a baby's bottom (no or very little sanding required -- depending on your feed rate and set-up). So if you want to go with the least expensive route, you can subtract $280.88 from your calculation. By the way, I've had my Shopsmith since 1980 and I just retired as a carpenter and remodeler (where I started in 1964).

Now that's what I'm wanting to hear.

I'd like it to work well for me without the speed increaser. Speed increaser equals no dust collection. I'm thinking I should give it a try without the speed increaser. I can always use the fence and dust collection with the drum sander.

[charlese]

I'm seriously considering using my Shopsmith as a shaper....

I want to be able to use it to cut hardwood and composite materials such as MDF or plywood using carbide cutters. No steel. I don't want to learn to sharpen shaper cutters and if they work like router bits on plywood a steel cuter will burn up in a few seconds cutting a glue line. I also want to do some panel raising for cabinet doors.

Cost is a big issue and space not so much. If I have to I will make room for a smaller shaper.

If you are using your Shopsmith as a shaper please share your experiences.

Thanks

Hi, rik... Yes, I have and have used the Shopsmith shaper. In fact, it was used for all shaped edges prior to the time I owned a router. (Not getting into the shaper/router debate).

Sounded edges on table tops and picture frames are when my shaper was used mostly. Really had a ball with it making multiple curved/shaped/fluted frames using multiple cutters and passes. (sorry, no photos as these were prior to digital camera) The wood used was almost totally limited to red oak. (A small amount of MDF - later)

Results were very smooth, with very little sanding - I used the shopsmith without the speed increaser and found the cuts to be smooth. I believe the speed control handle has the word "SHAPE" written on the handle at speed "V". This is right about 5,000 RPM.

I used only Shopsmith steel cutters, and have had absolutely no problems with cutter damage or wear. They are really a simple cutter to touch up with a flat diamond paddle or using the SS Sharpening guide. (555204).

I have found the Shaper package to be a very good tool. I have never used a dedicated shaper.

I find it interesting that you want to shape plywood as there would be a bit of followup sealing needed on edges. I have shaped MDF and had no problem with my steel cutters. (these did need sanding) These MDF projects were country wall cabinets finished with white paint.

Carbide cutters would be nice, maybe, but expensive and more difficult to sharpen if needed. Some carbide router bits have been known to chip or have the edges shatter.