Shaper - DIY?

Thanks Gang. All the talk about shapers had me thinking the same thing... what a cool DIY project! I know I would use one. Appreciate the posts gang! Thanks as always and have a super cutting good,safe, chips'a-flyin week!
CG out.
 
I have actually been considering doing something similar. Since I don't have access to metal casting facilities and I'm not sold enough on the idea of designing my own shaper from scratch and having it cast by another, I thought I'd see how far I could get with one of these (which I already own): http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-cross-slide-vise-32997.html
image_17674.jpg

If you squint, you can just see the makings of a traversing head shaper, much like the ones seen here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/perfecto/page2.html
img16.jpg

I've already torn down my old cross-slide vise (which has seen its share of better days) and am slowly contemplating what it would need to become a handy little shaper. I've got a couple nice chunks of cast iron that I would use to build the clapper, the tool slide, and other bits and bobs.
DSCN1624.JPG

I'd really like to have my little shaper be powered by an electric motor rather than Duncan power, as that would allow me to do other things in the meantime, or just watch it work. I've already got a nice set of 100 tooth and 28 tooth gears from Boston to handle the motor reduction. Now I'm just trying to decide on a style of drive, simple crank and rod or Whitworth quick return. Also, where would I mount the motor? On the machine itself, or off to the side with an idler to take up the slack as the head moves nearer and further. I'm also trying to decide what kind of work table to add and how it will attach to the shaper-née-vise. A pair of angle plates would serve as a mounting plate for the vise-shaper and the other as a table that can be slid up and down to accommodate various sizes of work.

image_17674.jpg img16.jpg DSCN1624.JPG
 
duncanbojangles said:
I have actually been considering doing something similar. Since I don't have access to metal casting facilities and I'm not sold enough on the idea of designing my own shaper from scratch and having it cast by another, I thought I'd see how far I could get with one of these (which I already own): http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-cross-slide-vise-32997.html
View attachment 81819

If you squint, you can just see the makings of a traversing head shaper, much like the ones seen here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/perfecto/page2.html
View attachment 81820

I've already torn down my old cross-slide vise (which has seen its share of better days) and am slowly contemplating what it would need to become a handy little shaper. I've got a couple nice chunks of cast iron that I would use to build the clapper, the tool slide, and other bits and bobs.
View attachment 81821

I'd really like to have my little shaper be powered by an electric motor rather than Duncan power, as that would allow me to do other things in the meantime, or just watch it work. I've already got a nice set of 100 tooth and 28 tooth gears from Boston to handle the motor reduction. Now I'm just trying to decide on a style of drive, simple crank and rod or Whitworth quick return. Also, where would I mount the motor? On the machine itself, or off to the side with an idler to take up the slack as the head moves nearer and further. I'm also trying to decide what kind of work table to add and how it will attach to the shaper-née-vise. A pair of angle plates would serve as a mounting plate for the vise-shaper and the other as a table that can be slid up and down to accommodate various sizes of work.
Click to expand...
I like that idea. Think I would use a slab of 1/2 or 3/4 steel sized to cover the flat section in the upper way, bolted to the flat section. Saw off the two end pieces flush with the top of the slab. This would be the ram, and attach the clapper and tool slide to it.
 
I did poke around tempest (Craigs list super search) and found several Atlas shapers from $200 to $800. So that was a cool suggestion! Seems they made a lot of those and they still run well. there were also a few Southbend's and an AMMCO. Just noting that I also would be happy to consider a DIY, but a nice used $500 atlas is not too bad a deal IMO?

Be safe all! enjoy the week.
CG.
 
While looking for sources, I stumbled upon this Indian shaper, which has a strange movement to lift the clapper:

[video=youtube;F3x5u1329Jg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3x5u1329Jg[/video]

It seems it has a sot of vertical auto feed, too.
 
That has some nice features. A simple friction foot to lift the clapper. Might be easy to emulate.
 
Back issues of Popular Science & Popular Mechanics offer construction projects and info about tooling, how to use, etc.

Back issues of Model Engineer (www.model-engineer.co.uk) also have many plans. I have seen a few posted on the 'net but I don't have any specific websites. Perhaps inquiries on the forum...

Home Shop Machinist magazine had a multi-issue build article that was reproduced in Projects 8. See http://www...................net/home and the store. This machine uses no dovetails and no castings. Machining & some welding is needed.
 
"A simple friction foot to lift the clapper. Might be easy to emulate."

Perhaps I can add this feature to my Rhodes shaper when I get around to doing a clean and setup of it.

Vlad
 
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