Geared Shapers
These
machines are adapted for heavy shaper work, and have been carefully designed
with the view of rapid adjustment, convenience of operation and the performance
of quick and accurate work.
A
great advantage is found in the double gearing, consisting of two racks,
one each side of the center of cutter-bar; operated by two rack wheels
and a double pinion. This gives great power, a steady stroke, equalizing
the strain of cut by applying the power direct, on each side of the tool.
This
shaper is driven like a shifting belt planer, of the 3 pulleys on the input
shaft, only the middle one is tight (fixed) to the shaft, the other two
are loose (idlers). Two belts, one crossed (reversed direction), drive
down to the loose pulleys from the overhead countershaft.
The two adjustable dogs on the ram, trip the
belt shifting mechanism alternatively to place the forward motion belt
, then the rearward motion belt on the driving pulley thus reciprocating
the ram. To provide a fast return stroke, the crossed belt pulley
on the countershaftwould have been larger
in diameter.
These were also known as
"Planer Shapers" due to their adaption of the planer
style mechanism. The mechanism didn't lend
itself to accuracy in the length of cut as born out in the specifications
below, a generous allowance being made over the nominal stroke length. |
| Sizes
and Dimensions |
| Size |
16" |
20" |
24" |
28" |
32" |
Extreme length
of stroke
Cross motion of table
Vertical adjustment
Feed of tool block
Ram bearing in column
Keyseating capacity
Opening of vise
Size of Countershaft pulleys
Speed of countershaft, c/iron
Speed of countershaft, steel
Weight |
18"
20"
18"
6"
25"
2-1/4"
8"
6"
325 rpm
215 rpm
1,510 lbs |
22"
22"
18"
7"
28"
2-1/2"
9"
7"
250 rpm
170 rpm
1,890 lbs |
26"
26"
17"
8"
31"
3-1/2"
10"
8"
275 rpm
185 rpm
2,300 lbs |
32"
30"
17"
8"
34"
3-1/2"
12"
9"
375 rpm
260 rpm
2,940 lbs |
36"
32"
16"
8"
38"
4"
14"
10"
375 rpm
260 rpm
3,400 lbs |
Both types of machines shown above, feature the recess in the shaper base
and the two machined pads, drilled and tapped, that was part of James Mills'
patent of 1898. The recess was to allow longer workpieces to be bolted
to the sides of the work table, allowing their extremities to be machined.
The
machined pads were to mount a straddle casting to support the table under
heavy loads via a central adjustable shaft. In hindsight, it looks more
of a circumvention of other patented table support systems of the time.
Compared to the elegance of his earlier patents, this appears rather crude
as seen here.
|
