Thread: Smith and Mills Shaper

Pics or it doesn't exist

http://neme-s.org/Shaper%20Books/shaper_book_page.htm

"Shapers" by Emanuele Stieri (ISBN 1-55918-146-X) covers the subject pretty well. I got my copy from Plough Book Sales some time ago. It is a Lindsay Publications reprint of the original, but may not still be available new because Lindsay Publications have now ceased business.

Plough Book Sales have "Shaper Operations, Lessons in Using a Shaper (1937)" by J W Barrit listed in their current catalogue, which, from the description, sounds OK, but I have not seen a copy. Catalogue Code Number 004806, $15.

http://www.ploughbooksales.com.au/004806.htm

Frank.

Originally Posted by welder

Pics or it doesn't exist

http://neme-s.org/Shaper%20Books/shaper_book_page.htm

Oops, forgot the picture rule
I have only one picture, which is the pic from the advert.smith and mills shaper.JPG
I don't collect the old girl until late next week and I'll put up some more pics when I can take them.

Welcome to the club.

If looks are anything to go by its in good nick, congratulations.

With the tool slide wound down so far you need to be careful with stroke length and/or position (which is I assume what you are talking about re googling). In a perfect world you'd always have the tool slide high enough that it clears the main casting.

Stuart

The machine is in good nick. Actually, so is the other shaper on offer as well.
The story goes that the gentleman that I purchased it from had gone out on his own and bought these and other machines from an old fitter and machinist in his mid to late 70's. The old bloke made a bit of a hobby out of refurbishing/servicing up old machines. Anyway, due to the collapse of the forest industry, the work dried up and the bloke I bought the shaper from went back to subbying to another company.
He still has one more shaper, a couple of big 3 phase pedestal grinders, a mig welder, plasma and Churchill cylindrical grinder left for sale.
The Smith and Mills is a big, heavy machine for sure and will take some careful manouvering at my end.

Put yourself on Phil's list for the 'shaper USB stick' by PM to 'steamwhisperer'. That will give you all the books and manuals we've collected. Plenty of reading and pictures there!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...20slotting.pdf

I forgot and RC's post reminded me: have a look here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2uvrl742f...AVn814XQa?dl=0

Thanks to everyone for the brilliant information thus far, it will take me a while to go through it all.
I'm off to work for four days now, so my internet access will be a bit restricted, but I will be back on the case late Tuesday night.
Once again, thanks to all thus far.

Has anyone mentioned to make sure that there is room for the ram to move all the way back on its max length setting to avoid it hitting something behind it with unexpected results?

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Has anyone mentioned to make sure that there is room for the ram to move all the way back on its max length setting to avoid it hitting something behind it with unexpected results?

Dean

I actually thought of that one. One of my first thoughts was that some sort of guarding/barrier wouldn't be a bad idea.
One of the forums I came across last night, Practical Machining I think it was, had a calculation by a gentleman well versed in shapers, where he pointed out that in low gear, these big shapers produce equivalent torque to two 454 Chev big block V8's in low gear with a 4.10 rear end. Pretty impressive. Mental note to self, stay well clear of all moving parts!
Still deciding where in the shed to put the beast.
I didn't actually plan on buying a shaper and was actually searching for a linisher, found one, looked at the sellers other items and.................................... Well you know how it goes.
Probably a silly question, but I have never seen carbide tooling mentioned in any of the references to shapers. Is it not used or is HSS just the most common option?
I am pretty positive and excited by the prospects of this machine. I repair quite a few cast iron manifolds and the like and this beast will be just so handy for truing the faces etc and being able to cut keyways will put a smile on my face that will take some removing.
Apart from that, the powerful, steam train like movement and rock solid construction really appeals to me.

Congrats Karl,
PM sent

Phil

I saw his ads and to say his prices are - interesting - is the most innocuous remark I'll make.

A BOC 80A plasma cutter for $1800? I can buy a brand new BOC 100A plasma cutter, from BOC, for $1575.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271350969...84.m1438.l2649

I know this is Tasmania and everything has a freight premium, but still..... perhaps I should list some of my surplus machinery and see how it goes. I have quite a bit due to some upgrades recently.

That shaper looks in really good condition and - bonus - it has a serious vise with it.

PDW

Congrats Karl, she sure is one nice looking machine.

Dean makes a good point with the wall, i put the ram through the lining of my shed one day, the rams will go back a lot further than you may think....

I also keep my clutch only just tight enough to make sure the machine cuts, with the hope that in the advent of a crash the clutch will slip. Having said that i did bump the vice off the table early on (well nearly i managed to stop her in the nick of time), so maybe it's just a dream that the clutch will slip.....

Ew