I’m thinking of getting a medium-sized shaper. Convince me out of it.

[howardbParticipant @howardb]

Shapers – the spawn of the devil !!
The introduction to my engineering apprenticeship was being shackled to a shaper for 4 months, knocking out the same part, I confess that I actively researched doing something else – anything else apart from watching that dammed lump of cast iron going back and forth !!

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

This is what you want:

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I have a Drummond manual shaper, so time was rather irrelevant in my case.

One advantage a shaper has, is that the finished surface is flat – no worries about tramming the head.

I’ve not done anything on the shaper for over two years and likely never will, now, but I enjoyed working it, on small parts, when I was able.

A more appropriate machine for internal keyways than bumping the vertical head (or lathe carriage) up/down (or back/forth).

[Julie AnnParticipant @julieann]

As of an hour ago my broken shaper has gone for recycling. Now I can move the surface grinder across into the space left, build a new bench and start making investments castings.

Julie

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Looking forward to seeing some of your castings.

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

After everyone and his dog has said yes, no or maybe. Please just get a shaper and let everyone get on with the rest of their lives.

Andrew.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

While I consider making two pairs of fabricated crosshead guide-bars would be a suitable task for my Drummond manual shaper powered by tea and biccies…

…. and yes I do use my vertical mill powered by expensive electricity far more often!

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I also have a muscle powered Drummond shaper, but I haven’t used it for many years, It’s tucked away in a corner somewhere.

Regards Nick.

[Author]

Posts