Router & router table vs Shaper

[DLyon]

I've been itching to get a router & router table setup, but then found this at Grizzly. Anyone use a shaper rather than a router setup? Pros and cons?

Thanks

[footprintsinconc]

i think you have a huge variaty of option in terms of patterns with a shaper and its going to be purely dedicated for this only. i guess if you are going to be doing a ton of routing, then the shaper is the appropriate tool.

however with a router, the advantage is that you can remove it and is portable and you then you can put back when the router table is necessary. i think for weekend warriors, i think the router + router table setup is better suited, primarily because of being the router being portable.

[Popeye]

I think you'll find that for the home workshop a router and router table are much more versatile than a shaper. When it comes to price and availability router bits are much cheaper (even high quality ones) and can be found everywhere. Depending on the router, the wood being cut and the profile, multiple cuts sometimes need to be done to get a quality edge.
Shapers will hog off tons of material in a single pass with quality results. However the price of quality cutters is quite high compared to router bits and availability is much less. I know you can get cutters custom cut to whatever profile you want, this gets done in restoration projects quite a bit. I'm sure the service is pricey but it's an option. I'm sure others will chime in but that's what I can think of working on my first cup of coffee. Good luck with your choice. Pat

[LCHIEN]

for home shop use the router and router table wll be very much more useful and flexible.

Previous discussion:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...=router+shaper

[DLyon]

Thanks for all the replys!

[Pappy]

Biggest drawback is the cost of the cutters, like Pat said.

[Holbren]

Those small shapers aren't powerful enough to spin the larger shaper cutters and don't spin fast enough for some router bits. I would go with the router table as you'll find most of what you use it for is not making cabinet doors or other pieces where a shaper may provide more benefit.

IMO, if you're looking for a shaper, 3HP+ and be prepared to pay for the cutters as mentioned.

[LarryG]

Router expert extraordinaire Pat Warner has a brief but informative comparison of routers vs. shapers on his web site.