I am inexperienced with shapers and could use some advice--
I am about to set up shop and have been "collecting" equipment over the past few years. I now have 2 shapers and will most likely be getting rid of one of them. Which should I keep?
Rockwell 43-340:
- 1.5 HP Rockwell motor (I heard that the older 1.5 motors can keep up with newer 3hp motors - is this true?)
- Older and faded
- Not magnetic Start
Steel City 48105:
Both units are used and in good working condition. I have the Rockwell fence, but not the SC fence. I will make one anyway. I don't know any other major differences.
- 3 HP motor
- Newer and shiny-er
- Magnetic Start
- 2 speed (I think) 7,000 rpm or 10,000 rpm
I have an Steel City 4-wheel feeder that I will use on the shaper that I keep. (I forgot the link, but there was a brilliant idea by someone here who said that they place their jointer behind the shaper and the flip the feeder arm around to be able to work on either the shaper or the jointer.) I will do the same.
Any suggestions or advice will be helpful.
Merry Christmas!