WTB 7 inch metal shaper, Atlas 7B, South bend or others

[rutzen]

I used my Ammco shaper for the first time yesterday. I had a steel bracket that needed thinning down. I found I could only take very light cuts and the finish wasn't that great. I think there is wear in the ram which was allowing the cutter to move vertically. I tightened the gib strips and that improved things. I'll try again today, see if I can get a better finish. It was great to get it going, so quiet and you don't have to watch though you tend to.

 

[Henry K]

When approaching a problem like this I have found it helpful to eliminate likely possible variables first. Years ago, I ran into a machining problem. It turned out the "mystery steel" I was using - an unmarked machine shop cutoff-was the problem. I had tinkered with several other variables with no real improvement. I finally saw the guys in the shop machining some steel with no problems. I asked for a small piece and they gave one to me. I did a test cut on it and the problem disappeared. Another time I tried to drill bed frame steel. It was terrible. My suggestion, get a piece of aluminum from Lowes/Home Depot/etc. and see if the problem goes away. If so, undo the machine adjustments you made, get a good piece of steel or aluminum from (McMaster ?) and have fun machining not frustration.

 

[rutzen]

Hi Henry, thanks for your reply. I solved the problem today and now have a very good finish. I did not have enough top rake on the tool. With about 10 degrees top and side rake the finish was transformed and the machine was making much easier work of it. I do know what the steel was - hot rolled mild steel angle. So just ordinary mild steel, not the easiest stuff to get a good finish on but it just suited the part I was making.

 

[Henry K]

Hi Rutzen, Here is a great story on how to do stuff on a shaper. Popular Mechanics Feb 1954.
It starts on page 234 and runs to page 239. Lots of info. This is the web link.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Nt8DAAAAMBAJ&q=shaper#v=onepage&q=shaper&f=falseHenry

 

[SmithDoor]

I have just restored an old Ammco 7 inch shaper which was in pretty bad condition when I got it. Looks lovely now but I haven't used it yet seriously.View attachment 120847

Looks great

Dave

 

[packrat]

Thanks Henry K, that is a good article on the shaper, love the old ads and cars too.
packrat

 

[awake]

There is a useful little booklet by South Bend called How to Run a Shaper - a companion to the ubiquitous How to Run a Lathe. I have encountered scanned copies on the internet, but I am not at all sure about whether they are violating the 1966 copyright.

 

[packrat]

I think I have one of the South Bend HOW TO RUN A SHAPER books not a reprint..