The Shaper Book

A shaper is generally considered a commercial tool so it is nice to find informative instruction that a small shop owner can use. The book covers rudimentary functions of the shaper and can give one confidence to dust it off and put it to work. I especially appreciated the instructions and illustration for the shop-made fence and dust collection box used when cutting raised panels on the shaper. If you have a shaper sitting in the corner, put it to work and you will be pleased with the benefits over a router table.

Ok book. Could use a lot more illustrations. Dimensions for the jigs etc. Set up configurations. Talk about different sizes of shapers and the right one to choose. Book is a great reference for safety for sure. Book leaves the reader or user of the shaper with the feeling that there is slot of trial and error accociated with using a shaper.

The material is fantastic but the photos are poor quality. There is 1 picture that is so dark that I have no idea what is being shown. The sketches are good quality. The book that arrived had a different cover then the one shown. it has great information and is well written. It would be 5 stars but the poor quality of the pictures is very disappointing.

Good book.I would like more detail when more than one cut is needed due to material or cutter. How much material do you take per cut - I'll figure it out, but it would be nice to have some reference.

Was a little disappointed with this one. I was hoping for "The" definitive Shaper book and what it is is an entry level primer. Almost everything in the book is from the author's experience, he has not searched other sources of information. Fortunately, he does have a good range of experience, so if you are starting out the book has a place....but a whole chapter on basic shaper profiles seems a bit of a waste

I have a shaper that I have not used and this book provided me with all the information I needed to know on how to set it up and operate it safely. I would recommend it to anyone new to using a shaper or who wants to understand the differences between a router and router table and a shaper.

This book provides a number of good, practical examples of proper ways to use a shaper (and keep one's fingers). A shaper is not just a big router table so requires so knowledge to use correctly. I've found this book bridges the gap between basic woodworking knowledge and being informed nicely. Easy to read. Easy to use as a reference. Thumbs (and fingers) up!

Great moments in the book that can help give you an idea of how to do complex tasks. Simply stated with out lots of fluff.

I bought this book in the hope it would have further jigs for curved work and other tips. It has a few useful bits but is also full of highly dangerous practices which might be ok in America but in the Uk and Europe not allowed at all. Not to mention against all common sense. I am surprised the HSE have not had this removed from sale in the uk. A superior book is the spindle moulder handbook which I also have a copy of. That book is much more safety concious and better all round.If you buy this book be extremely careful to engage your common sense before doing some of the operations mentioned.

Obviously out of date. Some of the things discussed are no longer legal in the UK. (like working wiithout a guard on the front cover). No proper discussion of ring fences, feed rates etc. Basic

Put in reference books.

very good