Another shaper to think about and a few questions

[Roadracer_Al]

Excellent! That looks to be a really stout machine. Can't tell from the pix, universal table?

[Vinny]

Good pickup Pete!

[Pete O]

Forgive my ignorance but I guess a universal table means it can rotate to various angles? I'm fairly sure this one doesn't; the table is held on by 4 bolts at the front corners and there didn't appear to be a pivot in the centre, I think it can be oriented with any of the 3 slotted sides up but not at an angle. Won't be 100% sure til I get it home. I am an absolute novice to shapers (looking forward to changing that).

[dallen]

you need to find the front support for the table if the seller has it,

and your correct in that a universal shaper has a table which will swivel allowing you a lot more options in setting up your work piece.

if the table doesn't swivel I wouldn't reposition the table because you wouldn't be able to use the front support leg to brace the table.

[texx]

i think the table support is there in the pics but its tucked up inside.
looks to be a single leg .

johno

[dallen]

didn't see that but yea looks like its been raised up.

[Pete O]

I decided to get the trailer finished and pick up the shaper a day ahead of schedule, I have to be home for an isp tech visit tomorrow and they will only give me a 4-hour 'window' when they might come. Reckon I can use that time getting THIS off the trailer:

   

   

   

   

   

The seller had a forklift so there was no problem loading it. Unloading will be a little more complicated.

I've had a good crawl over it after getting it in the shed. There is one significant issue that I have found; it is not in fact a 12" shaper as advertised. It is a 18" shaper- at least the ram has just over 18" maximum stroke and the table has just over 18" lateral movement. The up-down movement of the table is about 11".
The stroke is adjustable from outside the machine, which I think is a big plus. I'm still pretty confident that everything is in as good condition as it seemed at first inspection. The gear that I was concerned about in the post above is indeed an idler and appears to run on a pair of tapered bearings or similar- should be able to get the slop out of it without too much hassle.

I think I am going to have to remove the major sub-assemblies with the engine crane before taking the main body off the trailer, don't think I have a hope of lifting it with my floor crane in one piece. Looks like I can unbolt the gearbox and electric motor, and the box table looks like it will unbolt from the cross-slide by undoing the 4 big nuts at the front. That should reduce the weight considerably. Removing the gearbox will also give good access to the idler gear that needs attention.
I'm wondering if there would be any reason not to unbolt the side piece out of the scotch yoke so I can also remove the ram? Would be nice to reduce the top weight also.

Also a couple more questions for the brains trust; the lubrication info on the machine specifies an oil for everything. The machine has nipples (''zerks' I believe they are called in the U.S.) which all appear to have been greased. Is there a fitting for an oil can to get oil into these things?
The single-leg front support for the table seems a bit minimalist (and I have figured out that the side of the table with the V-way and 2 T-slots is used to hold round stock vertically for working on the end). Is it worth thinking about putting a roller foot on this or some other improvement?
Lastly, what the heck is the purpose of the big T-slots in the base of the machine, under the table?

[f350ca]

Looks great Pete. To remove the ram, the stud on top connecting the mechanism to the ram should be all you need. Remove the gibbs and the ram should lift off leaving the mechanism behind.

[Mayhem]

Convert an old grease gun to use in: http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=141

[Dr Stan]

Nice lookin' trailer.  Did you build it?