Shaper/Router
The use of a Shaper and a Router differ in that one is stationary (Shaper) and one is portable (Router). With the use of the Shaper, the machine remains stationary as you guide the material through it. With a router, the item being worked on remains stationary as you guide the router across it to form the desired pattern. The general operation and safety precautions necessary are quite similar.
- Visually inspect equipment / tool to ensure all guards are in place, cords are in satisfactory condition, switches are working properly, and exhaust is hooked up to Shaper. When using a Router a dust mask must be worn.
- Hearing protection and safety glasses must be worn.
- Ensure exhaust system is turned on prior to starting Shaper. If no exhaust system is available a dust mask should be worn when operating Shaper.
- Check rotating direction of bits to ensure they are rotating in desired direction of feed. For the Shaper, the direction is reversed with a lever on the machine. For a Router, if the direction is incorrect and needs to be reversed, the bits are likely upside down, and need to be taken off and flipped over.
- Ensure machine is turned off prior to changing bits.
- Remove fence to get at Shaper bit.
- Using designated wrench, loosen nut off of threaded spindle.
- Replace bit. If bit is loose on spindle, use proper bushing to secure in place.
- Depending on the type of Shaper bit used to replace existing one, the whole spindle piece may need to be changed out as well.
- Install or remove table collars on the Shaper around the bit as necessary to ensure maximum coverage of hole in table.
- Replace nut and tighten to hold bit in place.
- Replace fence on Shaper. Opening in fence may need to be adjusted to accommodate new bit.
- Adjust depth of fence on Shaper to expose bit to desired depth of profile. To change depth of cut when using the Router the motor is raised or lowered into base of Router.
- Using hand crank on side of shaper, adjust height of bit to obtain desired profile of cut.
- Test on scrap piece of material to check profile of cut. Adjust as necessary.
- Feed piece through the Shaper ensuring hands / fingers are a couple of inches back from the rotating bit.
- No loose clothing is to be worn around rotating equipment to prevent personal injury from being pulled into bits.
- If large amounts of stock are being fed through the Shaper, the power feed may be used.
- Turn off machine and exhaust when not in use. Never leave a machine or tool in operation unattended.
- For further operation or safety information refer to operator’s manual for Shaper found in envelope on the side of the Shaper. The Instruction manual for the Router is located in the filing cabinet in Carpenter Shop.