Thread: New Shaper

Update for the day.

I had to resort to the angle grinder to expose the holes underneath the surface. The arrow points to a line all around that area which is what it looked like before I picked at it with my pocket knife. Oil kept coming out. I think I have it all out now.

Cast Imperfections.jpg

The caustic solution did not work as well as I had hoped. The top slide had areas inside that when I touched it with my fingers they came out black with oil. This was after about 18 hrs in a strong solution. I am guessing that the caustic immediately surrounding this area was exhausted and not being renewed. This was an area with lots of roughness from casting like the casting sand was not packed very tight. I finished it with a couple of goes with degreaser. Another go on the base. Both of these I am calling clean. The base is back in the hayshed for now. The table and table slide is now in the caustic bath.

Should I now start photoshopping some pictures to work out some contrasting colours for various bits?

Dean

It has been a bit quiet on the forum in recent times. I am doing some reading about shapers. Kay Fisher from NEMES has a lot of good stuff and I have downloaded a book in PDF. The book is originally from the University of the State of New York, State Education Department, Bureau of Industrial and Technical Education. Suggested Unit Course in Shaper Work for Beginners in Machine Shop Practice. Vocational Training for War Production Industries. A highly recommended book.

Dean

I have struck a problem. I read the following from Kay Fisher

"Here is another interesting question. Should I always fasten the table support rail? Yes, you should. But used shapers frequently come missing this part. Ever wonder why? Because when working with small light cuts or soft material like aluminum there just isn't much difference whether the support is connected or not. Without the support you can damage your shaper with heavy cuts"

So the problem is what is the "table support rail"? It doesn't ring any bells regarding my shaper. Maybe it is missing?

A picture showing one would be very helpful.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

I have struck a problem. I read the following from Kay Fisher

"Here is another interesting question. Should I always fasten the table support rail? Yes, you should. But used shapers frequently come missing this part. Ever wonder why? Because when working with small light cuts or soft material like aluminum there just isn't much difference whether the support is connected or not. Without the support you can damage your shaper with heavy cuts"

So the problem is what is the "table support rail"? It doesn't ring any bells regarding my shaper. Maybe it is missing?

A picture showing one would be very helpful.

Dean

Hi Dean,
my shaper didn't have one from new so I made one.
I will find a pic and post it any minute now.

Phil

Have a look here dean
A picture of it on the shaper is further down the page
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/novice-using-douglas-shaper-151308/index4.html#post1485251

Not all shapers had table supports. I only use mine for plunge cuts because it's worn and misaligned and throws the table out as it traverses. I would have said I use it for roughing as well, but I don't really do heavy cuts because of ram wear. If my brats ever go to school I might find time to rebuild it.

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Hi Dean,
my shaper didn't have one from new so I made one.
I will find a pic and post it any minute now.

Phil

Have a look here dean
A picture of it on the shaper is further down the page
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/novice-using-douglas-shaper-151308/index4.html#post1485251

Thanks Phil. That is about what I thought It was supposed to be. I cannot picture any such support on my shaper originally. Is this just an add-on to support your table as opposed to a replacement for a missing support? There are definitely no mounting points on the bottom of the base. I have just looked thru my pics. Is this one more thing to consider?

I remember reading that thread as I recall seeing your support pictures before. That would have been in my pre-shaper days! I will now read the whole thread again.

Dean

Originally Posted by Bryan

Not all shapers had table supports. I only use mine for plunge cuts because it's worn and misaligned and throws the table out as it traverses. I would have said I use it for roughing as well, but I don't really do heavy cuts because of ram wear. If my brats ever go to school I might find time to rebuild it.

Thanks Bryan. I was fairly sure mine did not come with one but wanted to make sure and work out whether it may need one. Wait til it is running.

Phil I just read your post again and realised that you had already said this was an add-on LOL.

I am deep into reading stories about shapers and everyone starts to post.

Scanning thru Google Images to see if I can find my shaper and I found the following picture which is about as close as I have got yet. This is for sale for $US95.

Model Shaper.jpg

Of course it is only 5 inches high.

Dean

I decided I should put up some information here instead of in my lathe motor thread. In order to obtain access to the lathe in preparation for moving it sometime soon I have moved the shaper parts that need painting to my carport. They have been cleaned up and are ready to be taped up and then painted. I now need to think of somewhere to put the base other than in the hayshed which is only an old galv tank cut in 2 and mounted up on posts. Galv iron wrapped around the posts. I could put it in the carport but it is accessed up a ramp which would make it tricky to reverse the lifting trailer up and then have the boom drop enough to put the base on the floor. The trailer will still be on the ramp. I may run out of headroom. I will have to try it and see. Maybe I could just drop it on the front verandah. It is at the same height as the carport but can get the trailer right up to the edge.

Dean

It's been a while since I posted any progress. Longer than I realised.

I took some time out tonight to get some more done. Way past time. I did some more masking and the first bit of painting. I painted part of the rocker arm. As this is inside the base and out of sight, I used matt black paint on it. I hope to try out the "Dance Studio" Blue soon.

Vintage is due to start so I may not get to do much at all for the next 3 months or so.

Dean

Hi Dean,

I just re-read this thread. Waiting with anticipation on the painting and other works of your shaper.

Simon

Thanks Simon, but don't go holding your breath. I have a lot of other things to do under orders from SWMBO, as well as get the lathe going and insulate/line the shed. There are a couple of other jobs as well. Well more like a couple of hundred jobs. Not sure if I have mentioned the roadworks going on. They have to widen the road. New standards. They had to cut down many trees. We have an estimated 20t in our paddock that needs cutting up and split so it can dry. The neighbour across the road got a trunk over 1200mm diameter. As I mentioned in my last post the next 3 months are going to be very quiet. 12hr days, 6 days a week leave me with little time left but to eat and sleep mostly.

Dean

I have mostly finished the matt black internal painting of parts.

The base was positioned on the front verandah tonight. The hay shed is now empty again, which is a good thing as we should start using it for its main purpose, hay. It is obviously a very dry season and there is no feed left in the paddocks, so we are feeding the stock. I am hoping for an early season break.

I am now able to paint the base quite easily, so I will see what happens.

Dean

I have finished painting all the internal parts of the pieces other than the base. There may be the odd bit left out. The base has had about 3/4 of the internals painted with one coat. As much as I can reach from the top and thru the door. I am definitely getting there.

I know there have been no pictures, but is is only matt black and not very exciting to look at. I promise that as soon as I get some "Dance Studio" on I will take some pictures.

Dean

Very good dean. Tell me, did you need to repair or replace any of thd bearings?

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