Shaper/Router Table - Woodworking Talk

jkcustmcarpntry · 04-20-2009, 12:09 AM

Hello all,
Im in the market for my first shaper or router table, not sure which one yet. I will be making raised panels for doors with the styles and rails. not sure which is best for me and more versitile. I have a small shop (2 garage) and im on a tight budget. I will get a bigger and/or both tools once things take off again and get a bigger shop. If I go with a shaper what size and hp. If i go with a router table i belive i will make my own but what size router is best for a raised panel head cutter and any plans would be great for the table, fence and jigs. Please feel free to give a advise.

Thanks, John

dodgeboy77 · 04-20-2009, 01:51 AM

John,

You can get routers in the 3 horsepower range that can easily handle the router bits you mentioned.

Once you price out a powerful router and a good table, you may think that a shaper may be a good deal. Shaper cutters can get pretty pricey, though. My 2 cents.

Bill

GeorgeC · 04-20-2009, 06:21 AM

You state that you are in the market for a shaper or router table. I assume that means that you already have a router. It would be good to know the specs on the router that you have.

G

jkcustmcarpntry · 04-20-2009, 07:29 AM

No I dont have a big router (anything over 3/4hp) So I will need a new router too. I will make the router table if i go that route. I think, correct me if im wrong, but would the router table give me more opitions in the long run?

woodnthings · 04-20-2009, 07:51 AM

A top of the line router/ table and optional lift will cost $700 -$1000 and you will have the versatility of a hand held router. A Good shaper from Grizzly runs $1100 including shipping, 3 hp. cast iron, 220v, etc. but it only has 2 speeds, the top router will have 5 speeds. A shaper will turn larger dia cutters at a slower speed, and will not turn the small dia router bits at a fast enough speed, using the optional router collect/chuck. So, for larger work, larger cutters, get a shaper. Starting out, go 3HP minimum variable speed router in a table, preferably with a lift. I like the Jess Mast R lift, have 2 of them in Bench Dog Cast Iron tables with PC 3 1/4 var speed routers. I also have the Grizzly 3 HP shapers (2). I speak only from my own experience. bill
Check out the following thread posted here.
Shaper/Router Table????

Nate1778 · 04-20-2009, 09:24 AM

I have about $500 in my router table including a lift. Built it from Danny Proulx "Woodshop Workstations" and like it a lot. The construction was strait forward. I have a PC 890 as the power plant which is not a 3hp but has plenty of umph for anything I am needing to get done, including raised panels in several cuts. If you are planning on doing lots of raised panels on a regular basis I would recommend a larger power plant, or a shaper as others suggest. You can also cut raised panels on a table saw.

GeorgeC · 04-20-2009, 11:08 AM

I do not know that you need a lift with modern routers. My Craftsman Professional model router (2007 model year) has a pretty good system built in. It can be adjusted from the top with a tool (looks like a crank) that is inserted into the router for adjustment.

George

johnv51 · 04-20-2009, 11:49 AM

I built Norm's router table.

I put in a Mast-R-Lift and a PC 7518 last year.

jkcustmcarpntry · 04-20-2009, 11:52 AM

Johnv

What size router does it take or do you use and what do you mostly use it for. Do you have a copy of the plans?

jkcustmcarpntry · 04-20-2009, 11:54 AM

nate, do you have copies of the plans?

johnv51 · 04-20-2009, 11:58 AM

I had a sears 3 hp plunge router in it before but got tired of bending over to set the height. Rockler put the Porter Cable 7518 (a 3.5 hp router) motor unit only with the Jessem Mast-R-Lift router base designed for the pc router in a package for less than $500. The two are usually around $650 separate. You can put whatever size router in it you want. Rockler sells the hardware kit for it as well as the plans. You can also order the plans and a DVD from newyankee.com. They also have router mounting plates for just about any router you might have. I did put casters on mine to mke it easier to move around the shop.

Nate1778 · 04-20-2009, 11:58 AM

There in the book I liked in my post. There are actually some very nice workstations in that book.