Fun with my shaper!

[The Artful Bodger]

I know you are a big guy but I ain't buyin you tucking that thing under your arm and setting it on the coffee table..

Embarassed...!

[garyhlucas]

I don't know, every time I see a shaper I think damn that thing would be really cool if you put a CNC on it! Three axis, one for tool rotation. Gears internal and external, square, rectangular, heart shaped holes and the part that would fit that hole. Then you really don't care how long it takes.

[tlfamm]

YouTube videos (mentioned by BCRider):

Metal shaper shear tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5vsW6nm3EI

Metal shaper shear tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CWGScRNXfw

Grinding A Shearing Bit for the Shaper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKPe_TuBmU

Grinding shaper tools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh5zFJiXo_c

Antique Queen City Metal Shaper / Shear Tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbEjKQcdDUE

Shaper Shear tool trials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qOgWBQfyeM

Shaper and Lathe Tool bit grinding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FB_0etNR-I&list=PLFqTMVqZEM5BxlbitFwGh8_BnWaGMkkYy

Metal Shaper Action - PK Douglas Finish Cut with Shear Tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y3hATp3gRc

Shaper. Shear tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZSdbeH9y7Y

24" Queen City shaper shear tool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHFZTJkx_jU

[BCRider]

I don't know, every time I see a shaper I think damn that thing would be really cool if you put a CNC on it! Three axis, one for tool rotation. Gears internal and external, square, rectangular, heart shaped holes and the part that would fit that hole. Then you really don't care how long it takes.

That might be a bit tough since the smaller models at least are not set up for moving in the vertical direction. Most have sliding table supports to avoid tipping under pressure. Or at least to help the vertical ways resist those tipping forces.

I want to modify mine to allow for vertical movement. But given the stout support leg I'm thinking that it'll be wise to limit the DOC and amount removed with each pass.

And why move the table vertically? The normal flow calls for using the slide on the ram for vertical cuts. But the dainty little thing on mine only has roughly 2.5 inches or maybe a touch less of usable travel. And of course it needs to be bumped by hand each pass. It would be nice to allow for auto feed in the vertical direction. The trick would be in taking even more care to be sure one doesn't run the table up too far and let the ram run into something hard and heavy. Or perhaps start the cutter at the lowest point of the cut and work "up" by letting the table drop down and away from the ram.

[Black Forest]

That might be a bit tough since the smaller models at least are not set up for moving in the vertical direction. Most have sliding table supports to avoid tipping under pressure. Or at least to help the vertical ways resist those tipping forces.

I want to modify mine to allow for vertical movement. But given the stout support leg I'm thinking that it'll be wise to limit the DOC and amount removed with each pass.

And why move the table vertically? The normal flow calls for using the slide on the ram for vertical cuts. But the dainty little thing on mine only has roughly 2.5 inches or maybe a touch less of usable travel. And of course it needs to be bumped by hand each pass. It would be nice to allow for auto feed in the vertical direction. The trick would be in taking even more care to be sure one doesn't run the table up too far and let the ram run into something hard and heavy. Or perhaps start the cutter at the lowest point of the cut and work "up" by letting the table drop down and away from the ram.

My shaper has an auto feed on the vertical. The auto feed does the same as the top handle. It works good for cutting slots or keyways.

[754]

Most shapers are rated by the cube size they can machine..
on good ones at least 2 feeds...meaning 2 surface in one setup , at times...
like machining 2 sides of an angle plate...........try that on your milling machine..

[BCRider]

I think it's likely the next level up from my Alba that frequently has auto feed on the ram's slide. Mine is purely manual though.

On the table travels the square used on the ends is the same in both cases. But the vertical travel shaft has the wrong size diameter to put the toothed auto feed wheel onto it. It'll only take putting on a sleeve mind you. Just haven't gotten around to that part yet.

[sarge41]

Most shapers are rated by the cube size they can machine..
on good ones at least 2 feeds...meaning 2 surface in one setup , at times...
like machining 2 sides of an angle plate...........try that on your milling machine..

All the shapers that I ever came across were sized by the maximum length of the ram stroke.My experience with 36" G&E's down to my little Italian 12".
Sarge41

[JRouche]

All the shapers that I ever came across were sized by the maximum length of the ram stroke.My experience with 36" G&E's down to my little Italian 12".
Sarge41

Thats my thought also. Ram stroke. Never saw table size as an measurement of a shaper. JR

[dian]

Nice video in demonstrating why shapers lost out to vertical mills

although this is 50 years old, they had ceramic and cbn inserts back then, so no idea what cutters were used on the horizontal: