We’re going to be purchasing a shaper sometime in the near future. Initial use will be for cabinet making however looking at the availability of different profiles I can see the use expanding beyond that over time easily.
That said I do not think it will ever see heavy production use such as it would in a dedicated cabinet shop. It will probably act like a glorified router table for most of it’s life.
I’m looking at a 1 1/2 HP Grizzly model.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/g1035
Does anyone have this particular model?
For the money it seems like a decent machine though I’ve never seen one in person. The other option would be to build or buy a decent router table and dedicated router which in the end is going to cost more.
Next question, it can be wired at 220 or 110. What benifits do I get going with 220 vs. 110?
Replies
Its a nice machine, but for a couple extra bucks I'd look at the Jet 1.5hp. I had one at my last job and the router spindles were nice collets rather that the weird stubby spindle for 1/2" bits. A little nicer fence that the grizzly too. If you plan on using only shaper cutters and milling some larger crown I'd look at the three hp grizzly for the $950 or so.
I looked at the Jet, couldn't see a whole lot of difference in the specs, but i haven't seen the grizzly in person.
The 3hp Grizzly looked better on paper, but if I'm going to spend that much why not up it a little more and buy a Delta... then it's a never ending up-ward spiral ;)
I'm planning a trip to the Grizzly show room in Springfield MO and I guess I'll make the final call there... something like 400,000 sqft of wood working tools in one place...
Well, first off the Jet 1 1/2 IMHO is a better Router Table / Shaper than the Grizzly, and the jet has worked well for me in the past. Your second Q why not keep upgrading, well deltas are not anywhere near the top of the shaper food chain. The Grizzly 3hp seems to be the best "deal" in shapers, and has been for some time. As long as you don't want or need a glorified router table the larger grizzly will do everything you would ever want to do with a shaper where the lil one will leave you wanting more machine if you ever try to make large crown or exterior doors. It goes back to the how big of a tool is enough... The 3hp shaper is the standard, like the 10" Cabinet saw, and 8" jointer. Big enough to tough thru most jobs while making normal work look easy.
I realize Delta isn't the top dog, but IMO it's the next step up.
I'll take a closer look at the 3HP grizzly and the Jet.
Thanks
I own a 3 hp Grizzly shaper and several router tables. In my opinion, if you are going to need a shaper, you should get a bigger one like the 3hp. If you are going to use it for routing...then you should use a router, not a shaper.
Shapers turn way too slow to do a good job routing.
You have to take Grizzly tools for what they are....a cheaper and lower quality version of a good tool. Almost everyone makes a better this or that than Grizzly, but at a higher price.
I posted here a few years ago about the magnetic starter switch on my Grizzly shaper coming unglued inside and almost taking my finger off when the machine suddenly started as I was flicking a chip away from the cutter.
I contacted Grizzly and told them about the incident and sent a picture of what had come apart. They showed absolutely no interest at all in either sending me a new switch or trying to make sure it didn't happen to someone else.
Personally, I would never buy another Grizzly tool. I'd save up and buy a higher quality tool if I was going to use it on a frequent basis.
I have one for sale....
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/269151734.html
that looks like it could be a good deal, unfortunetly I think Frieght would kill it. It's also more machine then I need... If there is such a thing
Dont know if you know this is coming but might save you a drive to Springfield.
http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/kansascity
They usually have a setup of Grizzly stuff at a good prices..
Heath
thanks I'll check it out
I own the 3hp grizzly. I would spend the extra and get the bigger model. I have found that the extra horsepower really allows you to be more creative with a sense of comfort. I just finished a set of stair treads out of 1 1/2 ipe. Not to many small machines are going to push through that. It is also really nice to be able to throw some big cutters on for panels. I don't know if the 1 1/2 hp is up to the task
As mentioned earlier, there are better machines out there, but my Grizzly shaper does great for when I need it.