What is a double spindle shaper?
Northfield Double Spindle Shapers are constructed with rugged iron castings and balanced rotating components to assure vibration free performance. Available with either 24″ or 30″ between spindle centers. Spindles are available to 1-1/2″ diameter and up to 8″ in length. TEFC motors to 15 hp can be provided.
Does a shaper have a fence?
The fence is one of the most important parts of a quality shaper. Unlike a router bit, cutters for shapers do not have any sort of pilot bearing. This means that if the fence is not used, there is no way of controlling how deep the cut extends from the edge of the board.
Does a shaper have a reversible cutter?
Shaper cutters are not interchangeable with router bits, which are mounted on shafts and gripped by a collet chuck. A shaper that is reversible adds convenience: At the flick of switch, the rotation of the cutter can be reversed, allowing the workpiece to be fed from either side of the machine.
Can a shaper replace a router table?
A shaper typically has a much larger motor and spindle. It does the same thing but can take larger cuts — both in depth and height — in one pass. It also requires cutters that are, by and large, much more expensive than router bits. There’s very little a shaper can do that you can’t duplicate with a router table.
Can a shaper use router bits?
Router bits can be used with most shapers. Shaper cutters can also cut much wider profiles such as those in raised panels and crown moldings . Reverse – If you ever had issues with your wood splitting out because of grain direction, a shaper has made your work easier by being able to run in reverse.
What’s the difference between a shaper and a router?
The biggest difference between the two is the type of cutter they use and how they are powered. Router tables use router bits that have a shank permanently attached to the cutter and a router mounted under the table. Shapers have a spindle that accepts a cutter head that slides onto the spindle.
Can I use shaper bits in a router?
Ellis Walentine: Yes, but with some limitations. Some shapers offer router bit collets as either a replacement spindle or an add-on to an existing one. The problem is that shaper spindles usually operate between 6,000 and 10,000 rpm, which is rather slow for routing, especially with small-diameter bits.
Which is better router or shaper?
A shaper typically has a much larger motor and spindle. It does the same thing but can take larger cuts — both in depth and height — in one pass. It also requires cutters that are, by and large, much more expensive than router bits. Ian Kirby – “A good quality shaper is preferable to a good quality router.
What do shapers use to shape a fence?
Most shapers have a ring guard atop the spindle that suspends a guard in front of the spinning cutter. In order to shape the side edge of a straight piece of stock, the workpiece is presented to the cutters with the rotation of the blade driving into the end grain of the workpiece, tending to push it into the fence.
How big is the spindle on a shaper?
The spindle on most workshop shapers is a half inch in diameter. The spindle’s height is adjustable, as is the fence. The cutter is slid over the threaded spindle and fastened with a washer and two nuts.
What kind of motor does a shaper shaper have?
CAM-WOOD SP-30 Fixed Spindle ShaperA Shaper with plenty of cast iron… a solid piece of machinery!Features & Specifications: — 3 HP Motor with reversing switch. — Interchangeable spindle as standard with a 1″ & 3/4″ spindles. — Spindle with 4″ under nut.
What kind of Guard does a shaper use?
Put the shaper to work with all due care, keeping whatever guards the machine has in place and using pushers and holddowns. Most shapers have a ring guard atop the spindle that suspends a guard in front of the spinning cutter.