Replies

1. 
   tms | Jan 05, 2005 09:50pm | #1

   I bought my MiniMax 300 with an 1 1/4" spindle and I'm beginning to wish for a 3/4' ( they are interchangable). My reason for buying the larger spindle was that the smaller stuff would be done on my router table. However, there is a significant price difference when purchasing 1 1/4" cutter heads, and the lower end, budget cutters (like Grizzley) are nearly all 3/4".

   If I were to do it again, I would have bought the 3/4" and waited to upgrade to 1 1/4". Now, I'm saving for a new 3/4" spindle.

   Tom

1. 
   woodworker418 | Jan 05, 2005 10:12pm | #2

   how do you like your minimax?

1. 
   tms | Jan 06, 2005 01:09am | #5

   Hi Tony,I only just got the MiniMax 300s about 6 month ago, so we are still getting accquainted. Overall, I'm very pleased. The quality of the machine is much higher than I could afford if I had bought five separate machines, and it uses less space than five separate work stations.The first impression I had was that this is a much safer way of woodworking than what I was use to. Given that, it is also a little more awkward, but I'm gradually getting use to the European way of doing things.I would say that that the feature I end up appreciating the most frequently is the sliding table, and the feature that I find most awkward is the sliding table. The reason I occasionally find it awkward is that most of the usual shop made jigs and accessories for the table saw assume that you have the standard table and miter gauge slot. When I find a jig that I like, I have to either modify it or make an adapter, like a slotted sled, in order to use it.On balance, I'm very pleased with the quality and service, and I'm getting happier with my choice the more I use it.Tom

1. 
   woodworker418 | Jan 06, 2005 02:02am | #6

   Tom -- thanks for your thoughts and enjoy!  best. tony.

2. 
   Jellyrug | Jan 05, 2005 10:13pm | #3

   Tony,

   I got the Grizzly 3hp shaper G1026 in December, which comes with 1/2" 3/4" and 1" spindles, but no 1 1/4.

   I have only used 3/4 so far and the cuts are unbelievable, leaving a smooth shiny hand plane kind of finish. I only do slight sanding when I shape end grain.

   I believe the only time you will have an advantage with 1 1/4" spindles, is if you do things like crown molding, or you wish to use cutter heads higher than 3".

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 06, 2005 04:25am | #7

   I too bought that shaper but they told me that I could buy their bushing  and use the larger cutters on my other spindles.  $4.50  to convert a 3/4 inch (or 1 inch) to 1 1/4

           I don't have any of the better 1 1/4" shaper bits  since I only plan on using it to build one house with and then sell off.  maybe if the cheaper bits don't hold up (they have so far) I'll be forced to buy the more expensive ones..

3. 
   Michmesquite | Jan 05, 2005 10:39pm | #4

   Tony

   Like Tom above I have the MiniMax CU300S. I have both the 3/4" and 1 1/4" spindles and use the 3/4" all of the time.

   There is a lot of 3/4" tooling out there and if you need to go to a 1 1/4" tool, you can simply bush to reduce the the hole to 3/4"

   The MiniMax CU300 Smart is a GREAT tool system. Would buy it again.

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

4. 
   jako17 | Jan 06, 2005 07:53am | #8

   It is the size and the mass of the cutters that you plan on using that influences the spindle .If these are large you will end up with chatter marks if the spindle is 3/4.We use 8" tenoning knives and 5" kerf heads with that sort of tooling 3/4 spindles get a bit shakey. One shaper has a 30mm spindle so we bush 1 1/4 "(31.75mm) cutters to run on that as well

5. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 06, 2005 08:48am | #9

   The stiffness of a cylinder in bending varies as the cube of the diameter, so a 1.25" spindle is almost 5 times as stiff (4.63 to be precise) as a .75" spindle. For a given load, the 1.25" will deflect only about 22% as much as the .75".

1. 
   woodworker418 | Jan 06, 2005 05:54pm | #10

   thanks for the reply. my only question then is there any difference btw. using a 1 1/4 inch spindle or a 30mm spindle with a bushing to bring it to 1 1/4? ie, would the latter possible give me more chatter or be less stable or would they be functionally identical. for that matter, would it not make the most sense to take the smallest spindle (ie, 3/4) and then use bushings for larger tooling, and then i can have the best of all worlds for the price of one? thanks, tony.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 06, 2005 08:19pm | #11

   This is all kind of theoretical for me, working from the little bit I think I know about mechanical engineering. I don't own a shaper nor have I ever used one.It just occurred to me that the diameter of the spindle below the shoulder where the cutters sit probably has a lot more to do with stiffness, deflection, chatter, etc. than the diameter of the part the goes into the cutter. With that I think I should step back and let the guys who have actually used shapers share their experience.

2. 
   jako17 | Jan 07, 2005 08:26am | #12

   Tony ,You can not have the best of both worlds as Uncle Dunc says you get more whip with small diameter.(See my last post to you).As far as the difference between 30mm and 31.75mm(1 1/4 ") you won't see much odds .However bushings as close as these can give problems when using multiple cutters and wanting to change the seqence of the cutters and or remove one after a run.ie some cope and stick tooling.For us it is expediente as we often set the stick on one machine and the cope on another .

6. 
   migraine | Jan 07, 2005 08:22pm | #13

   If you plan on using the shaper on infrequent basis, I would purchase the 3/4" spindle.  With this I mean in the occasional cope/stick, t/g small molding profiles.  If you plan on using it alot with of various cutters (moldings, raised panels) I would recommend you purchase the 1 1/4" spindle.   

   One thing is that most larger diameter spindles are also taller (height under the nut) which gives you more versitily as in wanting to run tall crowns/base. 

   But, before you plan on either, I would recoomend you buy a 5hp motor, especially when running tall profiles or raised panels.

   I have a jet 5hp shaper(in the old blue color) with 3/4"-1 1/4" spindles for the past 7-8 years and it has done me well and the tolerances are tight.  I usually run it with a 3/4" spindle.  It also has a spindle/router collet for using router bits.  I have used it a few times and when I have, it was worth it 

   A power feeder should be in consideration too.  This makes for alot safer setup and cleaner looking profile, with less burning on the materal (also means less heat build-up on the cutters+ dulling).  A dust collector also helps in making a cleaner cut too.