Ragnar's new shaper

[Al Messer]

How did the previous owner "bust" the bed?

[Al Messer]

That should be "Ragarsed's" new shaper. Sorry 'bout that!!

[Ragarsed Raglan]

Well, this is a very embarrasing story!

My long time 'chum' (I've known him since we went to school together - then, as a teenager, I dated his younger sister as well!!), bought this Atlas shaper about 30 years ago, to complement his farm workshop. He already had the obligatory 'stick' welder, a gas welder, and a nice Harrison 13" X 30" lathe.

He is typical of what I would call 'self taught' farm engineers - in other words he is brilliant!! He can make a hay trailer, a turkey plucker, a log spliter, even a low ground effect 4 wheel steering, and 4 wheel drive fertiliser spreader with electric clutch engagement for the spreader mechanism. His welding is a treat to look at in alum or steel; furthermore he rarely ever uses a ruler - prefering to measure 'by eye'.

He challenges the normal thinking inherent in an engineering background, with questions to which I struggle to find an answer to at times. I have the greatest respect for his abilities and others like him.

But, Farmer Headley, being Farmer Headley was one day setting up the Atlas shaper to shave a block for a part on a tractor he was modifying/repairing/making (I forget the exact reason!); just as he was nearly ready to take the first cut, he was distracted by a sheep lambing/cow calving/milking parlour catastrophe (delete that which is non applicable - the real distraction is lost in the mists of time!!). When he returned to the job in hand - several hours later! - he switched on, and let go with the ram and BANG! One shaper tool trying to take a 1" cut doesn't work - the vice complete with job still firmly clamped in it landed at his feet with the tee bolts still clamping the broken remnants of the box table which had given up the unequal tussle between immoveable object and irresistable force. It's never been used since that eventful day; secretly I think it frightened him to have something like that happen.

Ever since then the shaper has lain idle in his shop, gathering a fine patina of light rust and wheat flour, after the rats had dined on the external motor wiring!....I've always admirred this creature (the Atlas ..not the rats!!), it looks to me like a work of art. I asked him if he ever got rid of it to give me 'first refusal'.

The other day I called in to see him whilst passing (to admire his latest creation .....a VW flat four engined snow blower restoration - he found it in a ditch overgrown!). After a time he said "you know the old shaper in the tractor shed..do you still want it?"

....What a question! course I wanted it, but my workshop is beginning to bulge at the seams. Al kindly gave me the low down on Atlas shapers (after I contacted him 'off board'), but he refused to dissuade me from getting it even though I pleaded with him to tell me it was not worth getting (did I really want to be told it's a boat anchor??)

We're down to the negotiating how much money I have to donate to his grandkids money boxes!! It could be Mrs. Raglans Valentines day present at this rate - I'll keep you all informed.

RR

[Al Messer]

I always did suspect that you had a heap of good sense!!

[Thrud]

RR

And a lovely string bean slicer it would make for the missus too...

But I still think she would prefer that Schnaublin for Valentines Day!



[This message has been edited by Thrud (edited 02-11-2003).]

[Al Messer]

Aw, heck! I forgot what I wuz gonna say! Oh, yeah! Could tie a proper container to the tool slide and set it on high speed and use it for a cocktail shaker!

[SJorgensen]

Ragarsed,
I hope you share your method of repairing the box. I guess without the rat droppings they look like one of these: http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlasshaper/index.html I've never used one, but it looks like the design should allow it to force the vice off the table if it weren't really overtightened to the breaking point. Or I bet they didn't machine the underside of the T-slot. As soon as you fix this your friend will feel cheated and want it back! I wonder if you could get all the farm animals out of the way, and make a jig to hold the pieces in their original positions, and fill all the spaces and slots with casting sand, and make channels so thermite can melt down to and through the breaks in the casting, then cool it, mount it, and mill down all the extra metal. Alas, if someone as resourceful as your friend hasn't repaired it, its going to be a tough fix. I wonder what the best method would be? (assume no replacement part was available, and no access to any $30,000 tools.)
Spence

[This message has been edited by SJorgensen (edited 02-13-2003).]

[This message has been edited by SJorgensen (edited 02-14-2003).]

[This message has been edited by SJorgensen (edited 02-14-2003).]

[Al Messer]

I wish I could see a close-up picture of the damages.

[Oso]

Naw, they don't have to be tightened that hard, mine doesn't seem to want to come off, I just made it as tight as I would expect to.

The t-slots are fully machined, too.

I am going to guess that the machine in question is a "7A", not a "7B", so it doesn't have the support foot on the table. If it did, I would have bet on the downfeed assembly breaking off of the ram instead.

I agree, it's not a boat anchor, it will cut some metal. And it can be quite accurate/give good finish. I finish machine prototype stuff like heatsink blocks in mine, getting a nice reflective finish.

Gears are next. Supposed to have already done some for another machine, but haven't rigged the indexer yet.

There is a problem of daylight and stroke with the Atlas, but that's just due to size.

[Ragarsed Raglan]

Spence,Al, and Oso,

It is the 7B (with the front sliding foot) model and the reason (I think) the table broke was that he had a large piece in the vice allowing a significant amount of 'leverage'. The side came out (from the top tee slot on the left), through the end part of the top tee slots and out at the front of the right hand top tee slot. The broken piece looks like a letter 'L' when viewed from the front. But it wasn't just one piece ~ there were about 3 smaller pieces which could be described as 'collateral shrapnel' from the main breakage. I wouldn't be surprised, looking at the way it had failed, it hadn't already been weakened by an earlier 'prang'. I know Farmer Headley looked at repairing it ~ but it was one of those 'jobs to do' which one never gets around to doing.
I like the idea you have put forward of thermiting the casting back together - food for thought. My first thoughts were to have a new table cast up - a local foundary reckon (without seeing it) that if the pieces are glued together, and some tapered padding (Devcon?)is used to give 'draw' they think they may be able to reproduce a reasonable 'Cube' for about $50USD.

I'll take a photo and post it somewhere so you can see it in all it's glory. Rat droppings an' all.

RR

[Al Messer]

If you can find a foundry that can provide a quality casting for that price, jump on it! You may be able to Thermite the pieces back together, but if I were in your shoes, I'd consider "glueing" the pieces back together with Loctite or something similar and using the old bed for a pattern. You may have to find a friend to do some preliminary work on it, but you can finish the top after it is mounted on the shaper.

[Oso]

Ah, well that would be the reason for the adjustable bracing used on shapers and planers for tall stuff.

I got the impression from your original post that the table had been shattered. Sounds like the t-slot broke out. That I can believe. Obviously your farmer had the downfeed in the "up" position.

(to prevent confusion, the bottom has been labelled "TOP")

[Ragarsed Raglan]

I'd just like to announce to those that are gathered here that I have become the proud 'daddy' to a bonny, not very bouncy, Atlas 7B shaper. She arrived at 7.30pm GMT last night and weighs 295Lb.

The new arrival, and father are both doing well (although 'daddy' is recovering from a strained back muscle!). Mother was present at the arrival and made a nice cup of tea for those present, which included the mid father (who happens to live next door!).

Unfortunately, Baby will have to have some remedial surgery on her 'Frontal Tableotomy'. When this is completed, we will then be looking forward to babies first tentative 'steps' ~ which will hopefully blend into a rather nice 'flat'

RR

[John Stevenson]

Hey RR,
Not familar with that shaper but from what I have seen on Tony's lathe site the box is second cousin to an angle box.
Just been in the workshop and there is this big ugly thing in the corner. No it's not a picture of Thrud it's a box table.
Actually there are two hiding there either both male or both female because in the 10 years they have been there they haven't bred.
Pic at:-
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stevens...s/boxplate.jpg

The one on the left is 9" x 10" x 12" and 5 sided.
The one on the right is 10" x 10" x 11" and 4 sided.
Seems to me one of these would make a good start for your shaper table with possibly the slidy bit grafted on.
I don't need two, in fact I can't remember the last time I ever used one.
If you want one mate it's yours for free but you'll have to collect, our posty has got a bad back delivering and collecting from me <BG>

John S.

[Alistair Hosie]

Ragarsed my very dear friend how are you keeping well you know something I just love the idea of beating the odds and not letting the damage caused by such catastrophies over time win out .It is a joy beyond all joys to take something which has lain idle (for sometimes many years) and bring it back or even modify it for future use. The very Idea brings happiness to me .One of my sons says but dad why do you want to get up to your neck in grease and dirt taking that old junk apart .He smiles when I show him it brought back to life as it should be, repainted and looking as good as the day it was first bought.I have only had the privelege of doing this occassionaly but it is something I look forward to immensly , beating the damage and seeing it go again is a great feeling have any others shared in that moment when you really feel you have done a good job.
regards old pal Alistair