Jet 1 1/2 hp Shaper

What an awesome little machine! The machine comes with a 1/4 and 1/2 inch collet for router bits and a 1/2 and 3/4 inch spindle for shaper cutters. Changing of the bits are extremely easy from a lock on the underside of the table, belt tensioning is a dream. This is a little workhorse!

Comment by Robert Brennan on September 11, 2012 at 8:05pm: Justin,

I have the same machine only its branded Carb Tech and without a reverse.

Have you ever set it up for reverse? I always wondered about the safety and other related aspects of this feature.

Regards

Robert Brennan

Comment by justin waldron on September 11, 2012 at 8:23pm: Hey Robert,

I haven't had the need to set it up in reverse to be honest. The only lumber that I have used that would really benefit would be Hickory with the way it pulls the grain. In Cherry, Oak, Maple etc. it does fine as long as you're aware of the grain direction. I have always heard that when running in reverse it's best to use a power feeder for obvious safety reasons. I just finished making 50+ doors for 2 kitchens out of cherry and with the rails and stiles, I didn't have many issues at all. I always mark each piece with an arrow that I point towards the fence so I have my grain direction set prior to running any stock and haven't had many issues at all. I always make a couple extra pieces just in case of blowout etc. Rails and Stiles are always the worst in my opinion because you are shaping a profile as well as the groove, the groove is the part where chip-out is more prone because the bits don't shear cut on them. Panels I have had no issues at all and with anything else, just take light passes and go on with it. I hope this helps and sorry if I got off the beaten path.

Comment by Robert Brennan on September 11, 2012 at 8:34pm: Thanks Justin

No its exactly the process I am using as well so confirms that the work practices are aligned even if the countries are not.

I usually always ask, I guess its because mine does no have that feature.

I don't miss it, due to the fact it sounds like an accident waiting to happen, especially without a power feeder

Comment by justin waldron on September 11, 2012 at 8:37pm: No problem at all! Well aligned my friend!

Comment by Bill Williams on October 8, 2012 at 12:16pm: Hello; I have a couple questions about shapers. Currently I making Adirondack furniture and Christmas reindeer and sleighs. I utilize a template bit and my router so that each piece is exactly the same. I would like to know if a shaper is what I need to upgrade to? The router has a tendency to wear out router bits quickly. Will the shaper allow me to turn corners, some of the reindeer parts have lot of corners. Just trying to investigate new equipment opportunities. Thanks for your help..

Comment by justin waldron on October 9, 2012 at 2:05pm: Hey Bill, the shaper will allow you to turn the same corners that you can on the router provided the bit that you're using. The Jet above will take standard router bits at 1/4 and 1/2 inch shank as well as 1/2 and 3/4 spindle shaper cutters. A shaper cutter will allow you to take more material off in less passes and is designed to be a continuous use machine, that about sums it up. I went to a shaper because my router would stop working because it was getting dust inside the housing (I make a lot of cabinet doors). The shaper allows to add a power feeder and is more solid because of the cast iron top. That's about it in my opinion between the two. I have done the same builds with a router table that I have with a shaper and both are very useful. Like I said, I just got tired of my router getting filled with dust and quitting on me.

Comment by Ken Darga on October 9, 2012 at 9:44pm: Justin,

I use my compressor, to blow out the sawdust from the router, after each use, when I'm done making cuts.

I know it's extra exercises, but it helps to keep it clean and doesn't allow the sawdust to buildup, internally.

Perhaps you're just making too much sawdust ;-)

Comment by Robert Brennan on October 9, 2012 at 10:04pm: If you use a router in a table check its suitable to do so, simply by

a. Checking in the Tool user guide, if its designed to be inverted it usually has it documented as a feature.

b. Check the tool and see if there is a deflector plate fitted over the spindle after the collet and before the housing, if its there, then its designed to be inverted.

There is no reason why the user could not fabricate their own anyway.

BTW some trivia Ken, it is impossible to make "too much sawdust" (Joke) !!

If not

Comment by Ken Darga on October 9, 2012 at 10:16pm: Robert,

I've been accused, at times, of making too much sawdust.

Often times I use my chainsaw, so as to get larger wood chips.

If I want really large chips, I use chisels and a mallet.

When I want to make LOTS of larger chips, I use my electric or pneumatic chiseler---

it'll remove bark from a log pdq.

If the chips fly too far, I put up a soccer goal net, to catch them before they go flying into my neighbors yard.

Comment by Robert Brennan on October 10, 2012 at 1:10am: yo!.....Way to go Ken.

Incredible,

Considering the facts you have presented today, I will withdraw my subjective assessment

of: "You cannot make too much sawdust" and just go about my beloved woodworking.

it is my now learned opinion that the accusation of "too much sawdust" is a unsubstantiated statement made by those who have no technical working knowledge of a broad spectrum of wood working tools but gob off anyway.