Gingery metal shaper in cast iron?

[Bentwings]

The castings for the Shaper are $495. Shipping to your side of the world is $285. I have sent a few there. With a little ingenuity, I am sure you can fit a motor to it. Others have.

There is a guy building the lathe on you tube he is a master machinist. It’s humorous to see his big hands working on micro parts his videos are usually in his hip with big machines. I’ll try and find his link or at least how to view his videos I thought these wold be nice to build but my mobility and visual limits won’t permit it. Good luck on building . Post progress . I just ordered a 4 cyl mill model steam engine from the UK so I’m also seeing high cost of shipping. Our dollar vs pound sterling is not good either. I’m also in the middle of building a large electric boiler. It’s nickel and dining me to pieces also have accessories for the engine to drive. The display board is a project in itself. It’s -20 F outside now. Glad I shoveled snow yesterday -15 F then 30 mph wind put the wind chill out of sight . But delivery drivers have clear walkways to my door. Even going out for required walk today will be a challenge. My kitty is snuggled up on the electric blanket.
Later
Byron

 

[William May]

My reason for wanting to build a shaper is because I just want one.
Let's face it, for the vast majority of work, a mill will get it done probably easier than a shaper.
I can't think of one job around here, other than internal keyways and splines, that the shaper would be better at doing.
But I still want one!
I can't see myself doing heavy cuts or large parts. Maybe a few V blocks, and the odd plate, and lots of keyways, but anything too heavy for a little shaper can be done on the mill.
So it's not much more than a practical ornament to me.
I think the alloy gingery machine with steel ways would most likely handle the internal keyways and splines, but a cast iron one would be better. Is it worth the extra work though?
If a smallish shaper turned up on marketplace for a reasonable price I would go that way. But they don't seem to be around.
Still undecided.

Google the "Strong Arm Shaper" from Martin Model and Pattern.
It is a 4", manually operated shaper with a lever arm to drive it.
I have the kit and the castings, and they are all very high quality. I have not started the kit yet, as I have a Logan 8" power shaper as well. I bought the kit with the plan that it would serve at my shop at a second home. I will probably be starting on it this year.
I have also bought several flywheels from Martin Model and Pattern, one for a replica of Henry Ford's "Kitchen Sink" engine, and 2 for a Nash 25 hp engine in 1/8th scale. All of them have been VERY high quality.

 

[Bentwings]

I just posted but must be somewhere else

the place I was watching is

advanced innovations llc in Austin Texas
Be sure to add YouTube that’s where h is at great guy been around since day one of machine shops he makes tons of YouTube videos
Joe ieczynski is his name. He is building a mini
Lathe the little handle of the tail stock is about the size of thumb nail. You may have to dig around to get to him . I just don’t know how to post his site directly. Try him he has lots of videos and unlimited technics. Enjoy

byron

 

[moose4621]

Moose, not what you are looking for and I suspect you are already familiar with this Acto shaper, but in case other's are not will post the link: Acto 6 inch hand shaper.

Ron

Thanks Ron, yes I have seen it advertised. Information is scares though.
Do you know of any that have been built?
I suspect I would have trouble getting bright rectangular material for that machine but it looks like a solid machine.

 

[Bentwings]

Thanks Ron, yes I have seen it advertised. Information is scares though.
Do you know of any that have been built?
I suspect I would have trouble getting bright rectangular material for that machine but it looks like a solid machine.

I think the guy I noted has either built one or is planning. I think he is doing the drill press now. I’m thinking of making the line shaft shop maybe with my own tools but also to drive my boiler pump and model generators it reminds me of he ammonia room at the dart when I was working there I wouldn’t far make an ammonia freezer or refrigerator. The big compressors were driven by big steam engines my day used to talk of them . I remember the big electric motors that drove the compressors. Maybe I can make a multiple belt drive out of o rings that would be cool
Buron

 

[Bentwings]

I think the guy I noted has either built one or is planning. I think he is doing the drill press now. I’m thinking of making the line shaft shop maybe with my own tools but also to drive my boiler pump and model generators it reminds me of he ammonia room at the dart when I was working there I wouldn’t far make an ammonia freezer or refrigerator. The big compressors were driven by big steam engines my day used to talk of them . I remember the big electric motors that drove the compressors. Maybe I can make a multiple belt drive out of o rings that would be cool
Buron

I did get my steam turbines today. One is very nice the other is so small it’s not much bigger in diameter than index finger . The shaft is only .95 mm. That’s tiny . I might order a second bigger one . The price has gone up 3 times I think.

 

[KellisRJ]

Do you know of any that have been built?
I suspect I would have trouble getting bright rectangular material for that machine but it looks like a solid machine.

I do not. I purchased the Ultimate 3rd Hand Plans plans, still on my "I'm a gunna." list. They are well done IMHO. For what it's worth, I was just settling into my first house after 7 years of post divorce apartment living so had next to nothing in the way of material. The person who responded to my query about a materials list was rather condescending. So points for responding to my query, but more points off for lack of empathy. [Edit. I couldn't find the darn plans, so did an email search. I'd forgotten that when I called him on his "Sorry no, but this one is so simple it should be obvious." and pointed out the lack of consistent terms and, from my writing experience, "Notes are to be reserved for additional, but not critical information. Welding and facing are not “nice to know" but rather necessary for the task." he did apologize.] [LOL, Minnesota, so much for my snappy mind today. No idea why I thought you were in Australia].

Ron

 

[tbar]

Thanks for the reply tbar.
Very nice looking Gingery shaper.
How often would you use the shaper, and for what type of work?
Does it cut steel ok?

Hi, yes it does a pretty good job at light cuts around .025 or so.
I will be doing some steel in about a week and I can video for you if you would like, then at least you can see how its works on steel.
I have cut key ways and mostly squaring up parts.
It was used weekly until my health went down hill, now it is seldom used.
T

 

[moose4621]

A video of it in action on

Hi, yes it does a pretty good job at light cuts around .025 or so.
I will be doing some steel in about a week and I can video for you if you would like, then at least you can see how its works on steel.
I have cut key ways and mostly squaring up parts.
It was used weekly until my health went down hill, now it is seldom used.
T

A video of it on action on steel would be awesome.
Do the ways wear quickly? The aluminium on steel seems like it would wear quickly. But then alloy pistons run in steel liners without wearing prematurely.
I hope your health improves.
Chris.

 

[tbar]

A video of it in action on


A video of it on action on steel would be awesome.
Do the ways wear quickly? The aluminium on steel seems like it would wear quickly. But then alloy pistons run in steel liners without wearing prematurely.
I hope your health improves.
Chris.

When building I added 5-.001 shims at the ways to allow for future adjustment, after about 10 hrs of use I needed to remove 1 shim on each side to take up play, since then after many hours of use it has not needed any more adjustments, it seems that the alum gets a hard steel like layer on it with time that makes it even hard to file, so maybe when new, some of that steel gets imbeded in the alum and gives it a type of wear proof glaze...this is only my guess, plus I always keep it well oiled when using it.
T

 

[Bentwings]

A video of it in action on


A video of it on action on steel would be awesome.
Do the ways wear quickly? The aluminium on steel seems like it would wear quickly. But then alloy pistons run in steel liners without wearing prematurely.
I hope your health improves.
Chris.

We speak the same language. You are a hard driver just like me. I do things different than others might sometimes without logical reason. Hope you can get started on your project. I too have med issues. Seeing two keyboards while trying to type here is challenging so I miss a few words occasionally.
Do check
Advanced innovations llc. Com he has lots of YouTube videos. I think he is going to do the mini shaper. I’ve heard it is a mass of moving parts. My little steam engine has about 200 little pieces to assemble. I just got the little dynamo or electric generator

this came from
Pm research.com I got it as a machined kit or finished part. I have enough going on with the boiler project . I have all the material . I need electric plugs then fittings. Many of these small fittings are 1/4-40 ME which is British engineering special for small fittings. There are a number of other sizes too but steam seams centered on this one plus 3-4 others. Of course taps and dies are not easy to find here you might have them down there. I bit of humor I’d like to say around there “ down there” sort of indicates a flat world. Which do you prefer. I suppose you could say the States are up there LOL MAYME JUST OUT THERE WOULD BE MIRE APPROPRIATE. Both ways. Anyway I finally have nearly every thing I need for the boiler. I just got my cad program up. I have not used it much since I retired so I’ll have to do some relearning. It’s -20 degF with 35+ winds so it’s cold here with blowing snow. I was just informed I have to have a steam condenser or economist as it’s known in industry. Purpose is to separate oil water and air. So another item to build. Fortunately not too big. One of the two turbines I received is no bigger than my thumb. I’m disappointed in that it’s nice minaruration but way too small. So I’ll have to order another larger one there was nothing said about it’s size on the listing . Well enough for tonight. Wishing you well. Keep us informed

byron

 

[moose4621]

We speak the same language. You are a hard driver just like me. I do things different than others might sometimes without logical reason. Hope you can get started on your project. I too have med issues. Seeing two keyboards while trying to type here is challenging so I miss a few words occasionally.
Do check
Advanced innovations llc. Com he has lots of YouTube videos. I think he is going to do the mini shaper. I’ve heard it is a mass of moving parts. My little steam engine has about 200 little pieces to assemble. I just got the little dynamo or electric generator

this came from
Pm research.com I got it as a machined kit or finished part. I have enough going on with the boiler project . I have all the material . I need electric plugs then fittings. Many of these small fittings are 1/4-40 ME which is British engineering special for small fittings. There are a number of other sizes too but steam seams centered on this one plus 3-4 others. Of course taps and dies are not easy to find here you might have them down there. I bit of humor I’d like to say around there “ down there” sort of indicates a flat world. Which do you prefer. I suppose you could say the States are up there LOL MAYME JUST OUT THERE WOULD BE MIRE APPROPRIATE. Both ways. Anyway I finally have nearly every thing I need for the boiler. I just got my cad program up. I have not used it much since I retired so I’ll have to do some relearning. It’s -20 degF with 35+ winds so it’s cold here with blowing snow. I was just informed I have to have a steam condenser or economist as it’s known in industry. Purpose is to separate oil water and air. So another item to build. Fortunately not too big. One of the two turbines I received is no bigger than my thumb. I’m disappointed in that it’s nice minaruration but way too small. So I’ll have to order another larger one there was nothing said about it’s size on the listing . Well enough for tonight. Wishing you well. Keep us informed

byron

Joe from Advanced Innovations has some wonderful content and have been watching his channel for some time.
The miniature lathe, pedestal grinder, and pedestal drill in his latest series are exceptional. They are however, at a much smaller scale than what is being proposed here.
I am looking at a useable machine with a stroke of 4"+.
Your projects sound challenging. Good luck with them.
Chris

 

[salzburg]

There is a Chinese Company , Tengzhou Millart Machine Tool Co. Ltd. They make a 6" Shaper , $ 2500.00-3500.00.

 

[Richard Hed]

There is a Chinese Company , Tengzhou Millart Machine Tool Co. Ltd. They make a 6" Shaper , $ 2500.00-3500.00.

I went to their website but could not find the shaper. Their prices were decent, but shipping? Quality--that's the rub.

 

[salzburg]

Has a 170 mm stroke , that's a few mm over 6".

 

[jrlandau]

Moose, not what you are looking for and I suspect you are already familiar with this Acto shaper, but in case other's are not will post the link: Acto 6 inch hand shaper.

Ron

Ron, thanks for that post. Who knew?

 

[KellisRJ]

Ron, thanks for that post. Who knew?

Glad it helped someone.

Ron

 

[William May]

[/QUOTE]

I went to their website but could not find the shaper. Their prices were decent, but shipping? Quality--that's the rub.

I would say that at that price, you would be better off with the Strong Arm Shaper. You can make 3 of them for what ONE of the Chinese ones cost.

 

[Richard Hed]

I would say that at that price, you would be better off with the Strong Arm Shaper. You can make 3 of them for what ONE of the Chinese ones cost.
[/QUOTE]
If you like building tools yourself, as I do, I would thimpfk you would want to build one, even if it is out of solid stock and not cast. I believe it would be nearly as easy with solid stock, maybe need some adjustments but you could build a larger one than the 6". Welding and bolts will make it heavy and strong. All you would need is the metal and a drawing. Doe you have a dwg?

 

[William May]

I would say that at that price, you would be better off with the Strong Arm Shaper. You can make 3 of them for what ONE of the Chinese ones cost.

If you like building tools yourself, as I do, I would thimpfk you would want to build one, even if it is out of solid stock and not cast. I believe it would be nearly as easy with solid stock, maybe need some adjustments but you could build a larger one than the 6". Welding and bolts will make it heavy and strong. All you would need is the metal and a drawing. Doe you have a dwg?
[/QUOTE]

I have the drawings that came with the metal casting kit from Martin Model and Pattern, for the 4" Strong Arm Shaper. I think you could just get a set, and blow them up so it fits a 6" pattern, and like you say, build it all from solid steel parts. With a shaper, you want plenty of extra weight. Just order steel bars and plate in the dimensions you want, and bolt or weld everything together.
But I think the 4" shaper will be plenty big for the work I do. It is mostly small parts for my small locomotives. I have never gotten anywhere near the capacity of my 8" Logan shaper.
I envision the Strong Arm as quietly sitting, bolted to one end of a work bench, and ready to turn out a small part at a moment's notice. Small enough that it will never be in the way, but large enough for anything I might want to make. But perhaps the OP needs something more sizeable. In that case, I would look for a used 8" or 12" Logan. There are still plenty of them out there. In my opinion, a used Logan is worth far more than any brand-new Chinese machine.