Q:
I added up the costs of a bigger router, a lift, and a nice router table, and it would basically cost the same as a shaper. Am I better off just buying a shaper that can handle router bits too?
Jason Skagen, St. Paul, MN
A:
For the home shop, a router table is the better value. To get a high-end router table, lift, and a powerful 2-hp router, you’ll spend about $1,500 total. For that money, you’ll really get only an entry-level shaper. And when you stack those next to each other, I don’t think it’s worth it to get a shaper. Also, because shaper cutters are designed for production work, they command higher prices, and aren’t very economical for a shop that makes one-off pieces of furniture and smaller-scale projects. Stick to the router table, and you won’t be disappointed (for a complete guide to router tables and lifts, check out “Tool Test: Router Tables” and “Tool Test: Router Lifts” from FWW #237).
Router bits are a lot less expensive. For the price of two or three shaper cutters, you can buy a whole collection of router bits.
Two reasons a router table is a no-brainer. Router tables spin bits much faster than shapers do, leaving a smoother surface. Also, you would have to spend a lot more on a shaper to match the features you get with a top-end router table.
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Comments
Yeah I had this same dilemma. I went from a router to a basic router table. As time went by router lifts, cast-iron tops and better fences came along. I bought a 1hp shaper and then went to a premium router table. Then I bought a bigger shaper so now I have both. The shaper is better at heavier tasks while the router with its higher speeds gives a smoother finish.
Very simply at 10000 RPM shapers don't have the RPM necessary for routing where 20000 is ideal but they excel at shaping and production work. Their bits are much more massive and expensive although at woodworking shows I find them at bargain prices; it's like comparing a 4 cylinder engine to a V8.
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