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Old Delta shapers

6/19/18       
Matt Calnen

Hi all, I have had two delta 43-205 shapers for a number of years that I got for cheap, but never got the chance to clean them up and get them running. One has a RI 1 1/2 hp motor that seems to run fine, the other needs a motor. They both raise and lower with out and issues to the worm gear. The internal mechanism is one I am not familiar with. I have run plenty of powermatic type shapers and understand there faults with the dovetail ways. These delta shaper rise up and down on a post. Do they cut any better? I was thinking it might be fun to clean them up and use them as back up shapers or when I don’t want to tear down a set up on my other ones for short run stuff. I’ve been to OWWM.com and gotten lots of good info on them, but I want to know how they actually perform? Thanks

6/20/18       #2: Old Delta shapers ...
David R Sochar  Member

They are versatile machines. Mine is old enough to have a "Rockwell" label on it, but they are all the same.

I run mostly 1/2" 3 wing steel cutters on mine, but have interchangeable bearing cartridges as well as spindles. I use a 3/4" spindle with some tooling. With 200 3 wing cutters, split collar knives, and a bunch of brazed tooling, we can make about anything. A good 3 wheel feeder even allows power fed parts. The spindles and housings are stable and smooth operating. That is why these are still around - a good design.

We made our own fence carrier with interchangeable faces so we can easily support a cut as needed.

If they have a fault, they are underpowered. I don't know how much you can put on the machine. The antique 1-1/2HP motor on mine barely fits in there cabinet. We don't raise panels with it.

With a special stub spindle, we use a recessed bolt to hold the cutter, and then a tenon can pass over the top of the spindle. The cutter makes the cope and can even final size the tenon. This can enable lots of sticking profiles if you have customers wanting that, without spending thousands of dollars on tooling for each.

Woodweb Article on Old Delta Shapers

6/20/18       #3: Old Delta shapers ...
Scott

Matt,
I believe they are good little shapers, I guess the more important question is what are you using them for? 1 1/2 hp is not a lot of zip.
I liken it to pulling a trailer through the mountains, ideally a truck with a Diesel engine is the best tow vehicle, but maybe you could get the job done with a minivan.
If they are big enough for you, fix them up.

6/20/18       #4: Old Delta shapers ...
Matt Calnen

Thanks for the responses. I was planning on putting a 3hp motor on the one, and I was told the old repulsion induction motors have a lot more torque than regular motors, helping them to work better. Both of these are 1944 models, so their very cool. The holes in the top are not big enough to run a panel cutter, and I’ve never been fond of having the panel cutter above the work piece, so these will be mainly for door sticking and coping, or short run moldings. Good to know that they run true, and are good shapers.

6/21/18       #5: Old Delta shapers ...
D Brown

I put a piece of 1/2" on top of the table with a larger hole to accept more cutters.
I think mine may be a 1 HP motor and cuts smooth but I agree underpowered, but I do smaller profiles . Made a fence that clamps down to the table.

6/25/18       #6: Old Delta shapers ...
Larry

I really like shapers for their versatility. BUT the Delta shapers a very light duty machines. The spindle assembly is minimal with very small bearings. Use them for very light work and you will avid problems. Even if you could put a 3hp motor on them it would probably be a bad idea. That's not what they were designed for.

6/25/18       #7: Old Delta shapers ...
Matt Calnen

Correct me if I am wrong, but when I was in college 20 years ago we had a newer Delta shaper with a 3hp motor in it, and I think the spindle cartridges are the same as the old ones. I never used that shaper much, but It seemed to work fine and I think delta sells them only with 3hp now. Would I be better off to put a 2 hp on the motorless one I have, to strain the spindle less?

6/25/18       #8: Old Delta shapers ...
Larry

Probably the strain has more to do with the cutters and work you try to do with it. Powermatic puts 5hp on a spindle that is similar to the Delta. I bought a PM26 once, thinking since all I was going to use it for was running a 1/4" groove it would be fine. It had so much run-out that it shook and rattled the entire time I had it. I sold it to someone that thought PM was the best thing going. You can buy good used European made shapers for the cost of a new PM/Delta Chinese one. I friend had a Delta that was made in Brazil, pretty good machine. If all you've ever used is PM or Delta, and you are happy with them keep doing it. Don't ever use a good shaper though or you will be posting yours on Craig's list.


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