Hi Art,
I have the Griz 1.5 HP shaper for about 5 years. I got
it mainly because I figured it would cost the same
or more for a good router table. IIRC I paid around
$400. Got the extension wing and the router spindle
attachment at the same time - so I can use any router
bit with the shaper. The only disadvantage is that the shaper
has only 2 speeds (12K & 9K I think). Sometimes that's
a little slow for a router bit.
It is great for raised panels using one of those 3/4 bore
3 wing bits (I use an MLCS for around $70). Another
nice feature is the raise/lower handle & lock - similar
to a TS. Also, it is pretty hefty and seems to have plenty of
power for my needs.
OTOH, I have also been toying with the idea of mounting
an extra router that I don't use much on my TS too. Just
to have it available for smaller jobs or when I don't want
to have to switch out the shaper spindle for the router spindle.
A downside to shaper bits is their cost. I only have about
a half dozen shaper bits - the cope/stick & panel bits are
used most of the time.
I would definitely buy it again if I were making the same
decision today.
Lou
In article , Art Ransom
wrote:
I have been using a Delta shaper/router for several years and it has
served me well. I now need to upgrade since I have started to use a lot of
6/4 and 8/4 materials and the Delta is only a 1/2 HP. I use router bits
exclusively now and doubt that I will need shaper heads in the future.
Which ever I get I will also get a power feeder for it.
The router or shaper will be installed in the right side of my TS which
has a 50" fence and uses a 1.5 HP dust collector. I am looking at the
Grizzly 1 1/2 HP shaper or getting another ( my fourth) Hitachi 12V router,
3 1/4 HP, variable speed, soft start etc. and if I go with the router it
will be used exclusively on the table.
I run a one man shop and weekly average use of shaper/router will be about
1 hour
Grizzly pros no time spent building table
cons $200 more than a router and materials but I won't spend
several days building table.
1 1/2 HP as opposed to 3 1/4HP
Comments or suggestions. TIA
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