1 1/2hp Shaper vs Router Table

[Renegade1LI]

I have a powermatic model 26 shaper and it works well with a router but collet. But I'm thinking of getting a Grizzly G1035 or a Jet Jws22cs shaper to use as a router table, bonus i can use it as a second shaper. Kills me i had a jet and sold it, but never used it as a router table. I get great cuts using router bits in the shaper so I'm leaving towards the smaller footprint of a 1 1/2hp shaper. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[jar944]

I'm not going to be much help because I don't run router bits in my shapers, and I also don't have a router table.

But more shapers are better than less shapers

 

[tyyost]

I had a smaller Jet that worked well as both, table size was a bit limiting, but otherwise worked ok. I don’t seem to use a router table much at home, at least with my current work. That said, I have an older 1 1/2 hp delta without a router collet and it works great for cope and stick, and the occasional profile cutting.

Small shapers are a compromise for sure, but often router tables are as well. What I have seen guys spend on router lifts, cabinets, plates, etc easily could have been put in a shaper that would do similar work with less noise…

 

[Renegade1LI]

So I found a 1hp Delta hd shaper for 150$ made it a no brainer vs a router table. Just the weight alone makes it a good choice & much quieter than a router. If you're not in a hurry the old delta shapers seem to pop up for reasonable prices, also if you're not happy it's easy to sell it. Will post some pics & demo pics once I get it set up. If you have a lot of good quality router bits this can be a good cost effective solution.

 

[Aaron_W]

So I found a 1hp Delta hd shaper for 150$ made it a no brainer vs a router table. Just the weight alone makes it a good choice & much quieter than a router. If you're not in a hurry the old delta shapers seem to pop up for reasonable prices, also if you're not happy it's easy to sell it. Will post some pics & demo pics once I get it set up. If you have a lot of good quality router bits this can be a good cost effective solution.

I'm glad you mentioned this. I like old Delta machines, and wasn't aware of this one. For the size and the prices I'm seeing this certainly looks like a good option vs a router table.

 

[micromind]

A shaper with an induction motor will way outlast a router with a universal motor. Plus, the induction motor is constant speed, the universal one will 'lug down' with load.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Not really sure why but I really wanted to get the Grizzly G1035 shaper, small footprint? Easy to move? Well I ordered one today since they were on sale with free shipping, would rather this than a router table, didn't order any table extensions yet. This will be my router table, really want to use up some bits I've aquired over the years plus I ordered a 1/4 hp feeder to go with it to make it a little more productive.

 

[micromind]

Not really sure why but I really wanted to get the Grizzly G1035 shaper, small footprint? Easy to move? Well I ordered one today since they were on sale with free shipping, would rather this than a router table, didn't order any table extensions yet. This will be my router table, really want to use up some bits I've aquired over the years plus I ordered a 1/4 hp feeder to go with it to make it a little more productive.

A powerfeed for a shaper is a good idea, the further you can keep your fingers from the cutterhead the better.......

 

[jar944]

Not really sure why but I really wanted to get the Grizzly G1035 shaper, small footprint? Easy to move? Well I ordered one today since they were on sale with free shipping, would rather this than a router table, didn't order any table extensions yet. This will be my router table, really want to use up some bits I've aquired over the years plus I ordered a 1/4 hp feeder to go with it to make it a little more productive.

Do yourself a favor and get poly wheels for the feeder. They are significantly better than the oem rubber.