Thread: Another shaper question

Ewan, I have mine feeding in the latter part of the return stroke. But I've fed into the cut by mistake and nothing bad happened. Features cut that way will not be true, so you should feed on the back stroke for that reason. But for facing it wouldn't matter.

When it would matter more is if you had the clapper locked. Then you would want to feed into air. One example of this would be gear cutting with the wire method. Another might be T slots. I haven't tried either yet but I will be attempting gears at some stage. I was planning to time the feed to split the strokes, and lengthen the pre-cut as needed.

HI Ewan,
I do the same as Bryan. I think it's a brave man that uses auto feed for 'T' slots but the 'T' slots I can make are only small ones (at the moment). With the gears, the cutter would begin clear and end clear and I would set the pawl so it doesn't engage until the tool has cleared the gear blank on the return stroke. I am not sure on your setup Ewan but on mine it depends on which side of centre the pivot is in the slot as to whether it feeds on the cutting or return stroke.

Phil

Hi Ewan,
I cant come up with a reason for anything timing other than "seems like a good idea". I've no idea if mine can be put together in more than one way either as I didnt strip it down that far. The only useful thing I can think of to add is to remember that the timing changes with table height.(how much I have never bothered to check)

Like Bryan I've feed in the cut also, no big deal that I can see with the cuts I am taking(though I do try and remember to do it "right"). I do wonder if there would be an issue if you were pushing the machine? It would increase the load on the crossfeed.

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

I am not sure on your setup Ewan but on mine it depends on which side of centre the pivot is in the slot as to whether it feeds on the cutting or return stroke.

Hi Phil,
Thats not exactly correct or you could blank off half the slot. You need to be able to set it either side of centre to allow feeding in both directions.

Hi Bryan,
Why would the clapper be locked for gears?(I havent given the set up more than a quick look as yet, gears are a long way off for me I think)

Stuart

Hi,

After reading some of the old textbooks, one explanation on why the feed should be on the return stroke is:

"It should not operate at the end of the cutting stroke unless absolutely necessary since this will cause the tool to drag on the work and thus impair the cutting edge."

There was also another reason is a different book (which I can't find) saying something about pushing the job out of alignment or something similar (depending on the job setup).

Hope this isn't too obvious.

Ben.

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi Bryan,
Why would the clapper be locked for gears?(I havent given the set up more than a quick look as yet, gears are a long way off for me I think)

Stuart

Well it's only conjecture, but the problem is, which way do you set the clapper? Because the tool starts cutting on one side and ends up cutting on the other side. So you could only leave the clapper centred. Which might work fine, but I have a feeling it may tend to hang.

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi Phil,
Thats not exactly correct or you could blank off half the slot. You need to be able to set it either side of centre to allow feeding in both directions.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,
That's what I meant. I told you I was useless at explanations. If you are feeding on the return stroke, then move to the other side of the slot, it feeds on the cutting stroke.

Phil (the horrible explainer)

Hi Bryan.
I see the problem now thanks.

Hi Phil,
Its something that is hard to explain in words but simple when you have your hands on the machine. Its a shame as it means you cant just turn the ratchet 180 and reverse the feed, but then most of the cutters I have only like to be feed in one direction anyway, so not a huge issue.

Stuart

Also remember the back stroke is faster then the forward stroke and this has a bearing on the feed timing...

I did mine so it is not that hard to time...

Another point to remember is the timing between the bullgear/stroke length t slot and the t slot on the feed drive. I had to make a replacement axle for my 10" Alba and refitted it one bolt hole out (90deg)

Ken

Thanks for the replies guys,
i have set it to move half way through the return stroke at the moment. As i said it is pretty easy to change as it is gear driven so i gave just pull the casting of enough to disengage the gears and then adjust. I have it all together now i am just about to post some pics in the Shaper gods thread.