Is a 1.5 HP shaper like the Grizzly G1035 powerful enough to cut raised panel cabinet doors using a 4" (or so) raised panel & back cutter? Since it's cutting the raised panel front and the decorative groove on the back I'm thinking the 1.5 HP might not be enough. I'm shopping for a shaper and want to make sure I'm getting the power I need without breaking my bank.
Monty
If you are going to invest in a shaper that means your will be using it, I would advise not to go less that 3Hp, Personally for me I consider a shaper at 5HP to be small
What do you built that makes 5 HP small for a shaper?
Bob McBreen
I have a Jet 2hp shaper that is a little small for serious shaping; however, any shaper (that I know of) would do the job if you take several cuts. I would never try panel cutting (one pass) without a power feeder.
Hi Bob, I am a pro and do nothing but custom work, that I design, I have a 5 hp for some work and 6.6 for other work. and someday I am going to rebuild the shaper that I made with a 10 HP, Have all the components stored in a box, I got rid of the first table when I moved here to AZ almost 10 years ago. If a machinery manufacturer says they recommend a 1 HP motor on say a Jointer than I would by the 1-1/2 Hp
All above is okay for me, I know a lot here do not need the power that i want for your home work shops But lets face it how much more is to go from 1-1/2 HP to 3-HP Hell I have 3-1/2 HP routers.
George
Wow that is a lot of power!
It is always safer to use the right powered machine instead of pushing a machine beyond it's designed limits.
Bob McBreen
Yes that is the best way to express what i meant and what i do, Not to say that i haven't strained a motor or two beyond its limits over the years. Hell I've even strained my own motor past the limits a time or two! or three! or four!! Awe hell I lost count years ago. Sent ya a private e-mail hope it went through George
Anything under 3HP is going to be underpowered for raised panel work. Also, don't overlook the relationship between the HP rating and the spindle size. For example, 3 - 5 HP behind a 1/2" spindle is bordering on dangerous. DD
"It's easy when you know how..." Johnny Shines
Reality check...most of us in the home shop scene make multiple passes with most of the tools we own. And they work just fine. We have time that is not by the hour.
On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 15:51:19 GMT, johndoe44 brought forth from the murky depths:
Little Tommy Watson has a 2hp spinny thing you might want to look at. He put it up here on the Wreck today. Look for "shaper/moulder".
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True, true all true, alltho what "works just fine" may be somewhat subjective... Even so, it would seem to me that if one can afford the "right tools" then one might have more time for whatever one might want to do. I have many woodworking friends who have "time that is not by the hour" and who have better equipped shops than I. So my comments are not so far off the mark as to be construed as being out of touch with reality. DD
"It's easy when you know how..." Johnny Shines
Well, my 1 HP shaper handles 4" panel raisers just fine! Of course, it has a real honest-to-goodness horsepower in it; not one of those cheap import horsepowers. (G) It's a 1934 Delta with the original repulsion- induction motor. I guess horses were stronger in those days...
Seriously, though, if you're buying *new* you want at least 3 HP for turning panel raisers, unless it will be seeing very infrequent use at such loads. Five if you plan on doing it regular-like. (G)
Jim
Agreed. I have a shop that is now a hobby and a 3 hp Woodtek shaper. Your advice regarding 1/2" spindle sizes is appreciated. I have more or less settled on using 3/4" spindle sizes as my compromise between ruggedness and affordability.
What year & model is your Woodtec shaper? I just got a 1992 with a sliding top. I need a manual (and a fence). Any chance of scanning the manual for me?
Dave Hall
I just finished a cabinet with red oak raised panel doors. I used an older Craftsman 1/2 hp cast iron shaper (no, not the aluminum router/shaper they sell now) and a Freud 5" panel raiser. Had to turn the cutter over and run it above the table so I made a guard to keep my fingers attached to my hands. The doors were about 12" X 22" and have arched tops. I did the job in about 4 or 5 passes. This was my first attempt at R/P doors and they came out pretty nice. The next shaper I buy will have a table recess that will take a 5" cutter. Either a 1-1/2 or a 3 hp Grizzly. 1/2 hp will do the job but more hp will do it faster. Mike
Dave,
Is yours "Woodtec" or "Woodtek"? If the latter then try
Scott
I got mine in 2001. If you can't get anything from Woodworkers' Supply, ping me on-line again and I'll see what I can do. I'll check the plate for model and serial number, the catalog lists mine as catalog #
933-580 which is the same as #803-274 only with the sliding table. If yours is a "Woodtek" not "Woodtec", then WWS will probably have the fence available, I just got a fan cover for my 1995 Woodtek dust collector.HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.