Thread: Douglas Shaper Modifications

Ohh believe me there is no room in my shed, The room you see there took over 2hours to clear to get the shaper in, And now its there it has to move again as I have to fit another milling machine in...
It just never stops...lol

I am new owner of 11" douglas shaper. Paid $490. Has a number stamped into top next to ram ending in "2010" which I don't understand. Original paint in sort of off white/ivory colour. Has "birdcage" guards and triple cone pulley. Clutch was seized and no clutch handle. Have freed clutch up nicely. The clutch/pulley assembly nicely done but clutch actuating mechanism seems a little dinky..is it reliable? What does clutch handle look like so I can make one?

Overall seems like a nice machine to me - nice castings, nice machined surfaces, solidly built, tolerances seem to be tight where it matters, design of table(?) lifting mechanism looks like it will work accurately, I will look more closely at the calibrated down feed handle (re previous posts on this subject)

David

The clutch handle is a round knob,wouldnt matter what you make the handle from as long as it feels comfortable in your hand,I havent heard of any one having problems with the clutch engagement lever.

Thanks Pipeclay

I meant the clutch lever that activates the "in/out" rod and yoke above and parallel to countershaft. That is all at the back of the machine and I guess I would wish to engage clutch from the front or the side somehow.

David

Not sure if I am describing it correctly,Havent got a picture.

The shaft that engages/disegages the clutch should extend towards the left of the machine looking from the rear.

This shaft will extend through the motor mount bracket at the base.

It should extend out of the bracket about 1" when the clutch is engaged and around 1/2" when disengaged.

At the end of this lever there should be 2 flats with a taped hole in it,this is where the end of the clutch lever handle attaches.

About 4"/5" along the motor mount bracket there should be a taped hole with an angle bracket attached,this bracket should have a clearance hole (I think),this is the pivot point for the clutch lever.

The clutch lever is around 5/8' dia it would have a taped hole in it about 5/16"/3/8" on either side of this taped hole there would be 2 pieces of square bar 3/8"/1/2" by 3"/4" long,these are to give support to the taped hole at the pivot point.

The lever itself extends from the mount on the engagement lever past the pivot point to just in front of the cone pulley,(maybe by an 1"/2").

At this point the lever bends out at around 30 degrees.

The lever has to be far enough forward of the front cone pulley so as to not hit it when disengaged.

Thanks Pipeclay

Noting that a picture is worth a thousand words, I can now actually picture how the lever works and is placed. Many thanks for your efforts.

David

Hi David,
There is a picture of mine in this link showing where the clutch handle exits.(second picture)
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ne...shaper-115314/

If you need any more just let me know.

Dave

Thanks Dave. With Pipeclay's description and your picture, I am pretty sure I can make a clutch lever. I will use a spare tractor gear knob for the handle. I am chasing the hand winder handle for the carriage(?) and will probably make one of those in the interim.

David

A nice looking douglas shaper on Ebay - looks complete with handles and original vise - could not do the link thing but if you search for douglas shaper should come up