Thread: A Shaper thought from a non-shaper owner

Shaper vices are one of those things that seem to be stripped from machines very readily so when the machine is sold, sometimes it has a vice and sometimes it does not.
Can I suggest that those of you with shapers post photos of them and (if possible) some dimensioned sketches/drawings so that members looking for them (or other going through second hand shops) can recognise and get the vice they crave?
The dimensioned sketch is because sooner or later I think we will be at a stage where the only way to get a 'genuine' shaper vice of the same brand as the shaper may be to recreate one (that is, get casting made and machine as per the original).

Michael

Hi Michael,

Well, I'm in the middle of a big cleanup and a re-arrangement of everything in order to make a neat spot for my newly aquired surface plate. So I usually try to avoid taking things apart as it is the start of a slippery slope and I tend to get side tracked! But since it's you AND it is Christmas, I present you with the following pics. No dimensions at this stage but I can add them later need be.

In the 5 or so years I have owned the Macson 18" I have never had the vice off let alone taken apart! It's not time wasted though as I plan on making the shaper my first big scrapeing project in the new year.

WRT the vice, I assume it's the original one offered when the shaper was new but of course I really have no way of knowing other than the original paint matches the shaper paint.

Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year!

Simon

I've had similar thoughts to Michael, and discussions with another member in Adelaide, we're looking at getting some castings made, when we get a spare week or two.
Kryn

Originally Posted by Michael G

Can I suggest that those of you with shapers post photos of them and (if possible) some dimensioned sketches/drawings so that members looking for them (or other going through second hand shops) can recognise and get the vice they crave?

Pity you didn't ask that when you came to visit - I've a couple of different shaper vises about the place. One complete with its shaper, even. Long way down the queue for restoration though.

When I get home again I'll see what I can find in the chaos. At least now there's room to move stuff about.

PDW

I've noticed on "Indiamart" that you can still buy new shaper vices. One example here: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail...101275312.html
Photos are terrible and I have a preconception regarding quality, but if the castings are reasonable they might be OK as a rough machined item that you finish yourself.

Kryn, I'm interested if you're looking to get some castings made.

Steve

This was a major bugbear when I was in the market for a shaper, very hard to find one with the vice still accompanying it. One example was a 24" shaper on a gray's auction, no vice with it, a few photos later there was the shaper vice bolted to a milling machine. Bought my 18" Macson shaper with no vice, a year later spotted one in Sydney listed on ebay as a 'large milling vice', I pounced on it in the full expectation of having to drive to Sydney to collect it, ended up using a cheapy courier and they lost it for a week! Identical to Simon's vice in the photos above, it has a brass name plate on it that is sadly illegible but a fair chance it's also a Macson, direct copy of the Elliott / Alba. Often gets used on the mill where a 10 1/2" jaw opening can be handy. Photo below has the shaper vice holding the U2 overarm for some stub milling as part of my frankenmill project. The vice is not bolted to a machine at present, so if I get a chance over the next few days I'll see if I can sketch up some dimensions.
milling overarm sides.jpg