So I purchased an old craftsman bench top shaper/router from a friend of my mom's. I got it for a song and figured I would replace the router in my DIY router table with this machine. It takes 1/4 shank router bits and 1/2" bore shaper cutters. I see Grizzly and Amana make a selection of 1/2" bore cutters. Is there anyone else. Would be kinda nice to see the full potential of this little machine.
And how bad of an idea would it be to use 3/4" bore cutters with a bushing? The Amana cutters are listed as 1/2 and 3/4" bore for the same part # so I assume they are doing just that, using a bushing. I haven't looked but going with 3/4" bore cutters may give more options but also do want to be stupid.
Well I might have answered my question. Amana sells the bushings by themselves. So what remains a question is how safe is it to run 3/4" bore shaper cutters in this machine and will it ruin the machine by over working it.
You can use the 3/4" bore cutters with a bushing, but I would not exceed the largest 1/2" bore cutter. Your shaper may not have enough power to swing a 3/4" cutter.
It is a very light duty machine. So this is wise advice. Hence the question about 3/4" cutters. For the $25 I paid for it I think it will make a nice little router/shaper for my existing router table I made. The key I need to keep in mind is that even with this machine it is a router and not a shaper, and a light one at that.
Using the 3/4" cutters but keeping them to the same diameter as the 1/2" cutters is also good advice. Never considered the fact that larger diameter cutters require more to turn.
I thought this went without saying. I almost never do any routing (or shaping when I have had the option) in one pass. I always take a few bites at it. Just the way i was taught.
They are one of my regular places to buy router bits.
I have an old Craftsman shaper that I use now and then. Sometimes a shaper is just the right tool for the job. It has a 1/2" shaft. All my shaper bits are 3/4" with a bushing.
I have an old Craftsman shaper that I use now and then. Sometimes a shaper is just the right tool for the job. It has a 1/2" shaft. All my shaper bits are 3/4" with a bushing.
MLCS is another source for the smaller bore shaper cutters. Owned by the same outfit that owns eagle america (and penn state industries) but free shipping.
Are the Corob cutters like a regular shaper cutter or are they meant to be attached to something else? They look to me like they are k ife sets for a molding head cutter like the craftsman and others that are made to go on a table saw. If that's the case that's not what I was asking about BUT I also have one of those cutter heads and this is still a great source.
Are the Corob cutters like a regular shaper cutter or are they meant to be attached to something else? They look to me like they are k ife sets for a molding head cutter like the craftsman and others that are made to go on a table saw. If that s the case that s not what I was asking about BUT I also have one of those cutter heads and this is still a great source.
Good question!! Unfortunately the catalog only shows the cutters in profile. They are round three-wing cutters (typically) and fit over a 1/2" spindle. If you are not in possession of a 1/2" Spindle shaper, but have a router table, you can get a 1/2" X 20 threaded adapter for your 1/2" router, and put the Corob bit on. No, these are not inserts for a table saw. I'd never use those in a shop environment! But the Corob bits helped me out of many a jam in my early woodworking days, until better tooling came into my possession.
Pictured is a adapter to turn a 1/2" router into a spindle shaper…. from Grizzly but other dealers have an equivalent in their catalogs.
I have a 1/2 spindle shaper and am familiar with the three wing cutter you refer to. But that link to corob if you click on the pictures they look like the cutter blades that screw into molding cutters that go on table saws. I didnt see any theee wing shaper cutters unless I am missing something. Also looking at their heads they are the molding cutter heads for a table saw.
At any rate I was happy to see that link because in addition to my 1/2 shaper I do also have the molding head cutter for saws. So I will be able to get cutters for that also.
Here's a pic of some B&D shaper cutters I have. I have quite a few Corob cutters, identical to these, but they're deep in storage so no photo. These were all bought on close-out decades ago, so unlikely to find any NOS Black&Decker ones, but I'm sure there's enough diehards keeping up interest in the Corob ones. Over and out.
Okay so it was all me. I was not getting to the main page. I finally saw where it said view full site. Dang phones. So when I did that I see the 1/2 arbor shaper cutters and the full list of profiles.
That will become a favorite stip since I will be able to get cutters for both the shaper and the molding head cutter.
My old shaper was one of those AMT component kits where you bought the mechanicals and built the wooden table and underpinnings. As I recall, after experimenting, I used a 3750 RPM motor and 1:3 pulleys. for optimal performance. Perfect mostly for grooving and splines which would be tedious to set up something else. A 1/4" 3-wing cutter solved so many problems for me in my early days.
Hope this all works out for you!!
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