MadModder
The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: ieezitin on January 16, 2011, 03:38:55 PM
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Fellas.
Back in my day ( Late 70ies ) our machine shop ( which serviced a paper mill ) had two full-size metal shapers which slapped and clapped in mechanical harmony all day long, I was forever using it for slotting keys, roughing out, gear teeth and it made dovetailing a doddle, it really is a very versatile machine. Now I am at the stage in my shop where I need one, well just say I desire one, but there really is a good reason to have one for it saves on expensive tooling ( end mills and all that ) .
I am in tune with the secondhand market, I attend auctions regularly ( my whole shop has been furnished this way ) and I see full size machines turn up and are sold for nearly scrap value, then there are the small amateur ones that go for silly prices. So here is my question, I know what full size machines can do but I never have had the opportunity to see what the scaled down models can do so anyone with experience I would like to know your thoughts. The information I am most interested in is are they up to snuff with being able to cope with abusive pressures it generates just by the nature of how it works, are there ranges X Y Z practical for their size and what is there feed rates like?.
Next weekend a 7” Atlas metal shaper is for sale at a local auction, it’s in a sweet shape and it comes with an original vice and I am thinking about buying it, so if anyone has experience with this particular model I would appreciate the heads up. I have the Atlas horizontal mill which is a remarkable little machine and I hope the shaper is just as good.
It’s rare for me to machine large stuff; my largest lathe is a 12” x 36” Atlas and there has not been a job in my shop that I have not been able to accomplish so this may give you some scale for what I do
All the best Anthony.
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Personal opinion Anthony, forget about what you asked and just go and purchase that Atlas shaper. :beer:
If you find it's not working out for you I'd more than happy to give you the price you paid for and come and pick it up personally werever you live. :thumbup:
Bernd
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I haven't used my Atlas shaper much. But I have been pretty impressed with it. Never had a chance to run a large one, So nothing to compare it to. I'll keep mine:o)
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Anthony,
Was looking around on the net. I found a 7" Atlas shaper within 50 miles of me on Craig's list. Very good shape, $750 and one on E-bay down in MO. for, at this moment anyway, $425.
Here's the LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/Atlas-Shaper-Model-7B-Working-Complete-with-Stand_W0QQitemZ180611619916QQcategoryZ632QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D2%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6416809502981071068#shId)
Bernd
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Bernd.
I thank you for the link to the machine for pricing purposes, I have had a lot of good feedback on this type of machine ( Atlas 7” shaper ) it seems I won’t go wrong with this little power house. I am probably going to buy it and take a chance.
BTW I live in northern Maryland just a hop skip and a jump from where you live, like I mentioned I am a regular attendee of auctions and always looking for machinery and tooling for our hobby and I always come across deals so if you wish PM Me with a number I can get you on and I would alert you on what I come across and I could buy it and meet you somewhere to make the exchange.
Thanks for your help… Anthony.
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The Atlas would be a big shaper for me as mine is an Adept 2!
It took me ages to learn how to use it properly and now it is my favourite machine since a fashioned an auto downfeed for it. Has the Atlas got auto down feed?
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No auto down feed:o( Do you have any details on yours? I'd like to see:o)
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Well!
I did it and I got the shaper for $500, I paid full market price for it but I am very happy with it.
I did a quick once over cleaned up the most important parts, oiled and lathered her up then pulled the switch on and she started rocking, I have not ran a shaper for 25 years or so I just stood there for about 10 minutes while it swooshed away and studied what does what and such, with a piece of fresh 3/8 HSS stock I strolled over to the grinder and formed a roughing tool and threw it in the tool holder, slapped some scrap aluminum in the chuck set for a .010 cut then I let it loose.
The click feed (indexing ratchet) kept sticking so a slight tap with a mallet cured that problem, the clapper box was acting up by not quiet seating back ready for the cut stroke so a dose WD40 was ordered and surely enough it capitulated, now we were in business and she worked her magic like she was designed to do, with a little more tweaking mainly in the advance feed area it squared up my block and gave me a glass finish. I will get more pictures of its results this week and post them for all to see
Get off the truck! you are heavy!!!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_0995.jpg)
Mr red to the rescue
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_0997.jpg)
Here is my little machinery mover crane I built for putting machines into the shop
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_0999.jpg)
It’s been wheeled into the shop and the lifting arm has been attached ready to be lifted onto its temporary table ( I need to build a purpose designed unit as this one in no robust enough)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1004.jpg)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1003.jpg)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1005.jpg)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1007.jpg)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1006.jpg)
This is where it lives for now, this will be an early spring project to make the table. All the best Anthony.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1009.jpg)
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/ieezitin/Atlas%207B%20shaper/IMG_1011.jpg)