They are the same in principle

But they differ in scale. Shapers have a vertical arbor coming up from the bottom in various sizes and including an adaptor for a router collet/chuck. They are generally more powerful, heavier, and will accept a very wide range and height of cutters.They are also reversible where routers are not. They do not have the wide range of speeds a variable speed router would have or the higher rpms, because the larger size of the cutters will not perform or be dangerous at these higher speeds. A large router,3 1/2 Hp, mounted on a lift in a good table, possibly cast iron, is a thing of joy to work with. Good power and ease of adjustment from the top. Pricey tho!
The same $ dollars will buy a 3Hp Grizzly cast iron table shaper with 3 spindles 1/2", 3/4" and 1". I have both and types and enjoy working with both. :thumbsup: hope this helps. bill

 

Bill,

Your opinion on something: When I was in college to be an industrial arts teacher (I won't tell you how long ago but the machines may have been powered by steam engines and water wheels) the professor, a very smart guy, told us that the shaper was the most dangerous power tool in the shop. Then he regaled up with appropriate horror stories that generally had to do with pieces of wood turning into missiles.

What's your opinion on this? (Anyone else can join in, too!)

Bill

 

Ack, here's a router table made by Bench Dog & the kind of lift that Bill mentioned. The lift allows you to incrementally raise & lower the height of the bit above the table surface by adjusting a nut on top. Many woodworkers custom build their own tables & you'll find some creative designs on this site just by searching "router table." I don't know much about shapers, but they're usually designated for heavy jobs that require large cutters. I happen to own the setup below with the Porter Cable 7518 3 1/4 HP router & it cuts like butter. Welcome to the forum.

 

I was that Instructor!

We calculated the launch speed of wood as follows:
The post was entitled "Flying Wood" on www.routerforums.com
"I really don't know , but maybe we can calculate it:
A table saw blade at 4000 or so RPM with a 10" blade has a peripheral speed of 4000 x pi D or 125,600 in per min divided by 12 equals 10,466 ft per min. divided 5280 equals miles per min. times 60 equals
118.93 MPH.
A 1" router bit turning at 20,000 rpm has a peripheral speed of 20,000 x pi D or (1.57) correction should be 3.14" or...... 31,400 in per min divided by 12 equals 2676.66 ft per min, divided by 5280 equals .4955 miles per min. times 60 equals (29.73 MPH) times 2 equals 59,46MPH
If this is far off, please forgive me.

I studied Art in school, so I can't read, write, spell or do math! I stayed in college so long they gave me a job teaching there! Thankfully, I got a real job at a big 3 car co. and retired early.
PS Good thing Howard Hughes is dead, he'd want to get a patent on Flying Wood!
The most dangerours tool in the shop is a mind that's not focused on the job at hand. The shaper is a close second, which is tied with the jointer, which is in second place with the table saw!
bill:laughing:

 

shapers

Yes...shapers "can" be quite dangerous, although there aren't too many major woodworking tools that arent. Most people use rather large cutterheads in shapers and if the proper precautions arent taken then yes they can do some damage. I use a shaper to make raised panel doors. On a router table with a 3 hp router it usually takes 3 or passes to raise the panel. On the other hand a shaper can handle that in a single pass(although i make a final shallow pass to clean it up). Shapers are great tools....mine is a mainstay in my shop.

 

shper

A shaper is the person using the router table and about 500 rpm

 

I remember reading, on another thread in thus forum, that the most injuries in woodworking come from the bandsaw. It stuck in my mind because I, and pretty well everyone else, consider the bandsaw as fairly benign. As stated, every piece of woodworking equipment comes with its own set of hazards. But ,in my humble opinion, the most dangerous item in any workshop is the loose nut at the operating end.

Gerry