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6:28 pm
September 26, 2010
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I had this a couple of years ago and hardly used it. Traded it off to this guy and he never used it. When I got my Friction press figgered I could use it so got it back in a trade. I have used it more now making dies than I ever used it before. It just needs to be cleaned up. It is right beside the good lookin drill press table and it is feelin off a bit so should clean it soon. I love the way the shaper works, quiet and strong. It came out of a school so is hardly used. Really good condition. The guy who brought it out of the school left it outside for years so it needs a bit of cleanin.
2:16 am
I LOVE shapers, need to keep an eye our for one....that's a nice setup there Stretch.
3:07 am
March 18, 2010
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What'cha got there a G&E? I've had a few shapers over the years. Never knew just how wonderful they could really be until I got my last one. All of my previous ones had a lot of miles on them and even though they seemed in good shape they had slop here and there. Well, I scored a BRAND NEW Ohio 36" universal at government auction in Stockton CA. I mean this thing was still in the factory crate, all the tools in a box in cosmoline. 40 years in storage. Local machine dealer told me that he had sold some of the last of these machines made. Went to the Boeing Company in 1969 for just about $100,000.00 each! Got mine for $700.00!
I never knew that you could machine 50Rc die blocks with just high speed steel bits. My old machines would flex a little and skip up out of the cut and just drag across. This mother was rigid! This machine was all tricked out - automatic downfeed, universal table - the works. When I moved I sold it for $1.00 to Berkley Tack.
“There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot,
but then there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence,
transform a yellow spot into the sun.” ~ Pablo Picasso ~
3:29 am
September 26, 2010
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Grant;4772 wrote: What'cha got there a G&E? I've had a few shapers over the years. Never knew just how wonderful they could really be until I got my last one. All of my previous ones had a lot of miles on them and even though they seemed in good shape they had slop here and there. Well, I scored a BRAND NEW Ohio 36" universal at government auction in Stockton CA. I mean this thing was still in the factory crate, all the tools in a box in cosmoline. 40 years in storage. Local machine dealer told me that he had sold some of the last of these machines made. Went to the Boeing Company in 1969 for just about $100,000.00 each! Got mine for $700.00!
I never knew that you could machine 50Rc die blocks with just high speed steel bits. My old machines would flex a little and skip up out of the cut and just drag across. This mother was rigid! This machine was all tricked out - automatic downfeed, universal table - the works. When I moved I sold it for $1.00 to Berkley Tack.
I can't remember the name, Grant, it is a swedish machine, it is right beside the Arboga drill press. Gotta keep the nationalities together or they will fight. I have automatic cross feed, was talking to a guy in the shop to get down feed too. Not sure if the feed would go on the table or not. I love using this machine. It is amazing what they will do. A 36 " machine would have been quite big Grant, and heavy. Mine is quite heavy for an 18".
I have a friend that is a tool and die maker and has a shaper. He uses it all the time. I get a lot of pointers from him, helps me a lot.
3:32 am
September 26, 2010
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sam salvati;4770 wrote: I LOVE shapers, need to keep an eye our for one....that's a nice setup there Stretch.
Thanks Sam. They are usually quite cheap. This one the guy couldn't give it away. Hardly anyone knows how to use them any more.
I had a little 7 " that I traded the first time for this machine, I needed a bigger one. The little one was way to small.
8:40 pm
NWBA Member
November 8, 2010
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Stretch- is your machine a Varnamo or VMA or Vesta (sp?) I have a 14" Varnamo- swedish and was told they are quite robust for their size. I joined the yahoo shaper group that has excellent tooling ideas and daily discussions of shapers. Recently I scored a manual of that list too if you're looking for one. You're machining your clavo master there, no?
They only remember you when you SCREW UP~!!!
2:31 am
September 26, 2010
Offline
Grant;4772 wrote: What'cha got there a G&E? I've had a few shapers over the years. Never knew just how wonderful they could really be until I got my last one. All of my previous ones had a lot of miles on them and even though they seemed in good shape they had slop here and there. Well, I scored a BRAND NEW Ohio 36" universal at government auction in Stockton CA. I mean this thing was still in the factory crate, all the tools in a box in cosmoline. 40 years in storage. Local machine dealer told me that he had sold some of the last of these machines made. Went to the Boeing Company in 1969 for just about $100,000.00 each! Got mine for $700.00!
I never knew that you could machine 50Rc die blocks with just high speed steel bits. My old machines would flex a little and skip up out of the cut and just drag across. This mother was rigid! This machine was all tricked out - automatic downfeed, universal table - the works. When I moved I sold it for $1.00 to Berkley Tack.
It is a Varnamo Grant.
2:36 am
September 26, 2010
Offline
Cybo;4852 wrote: Stretch- is your machine a Varnamo or VMA or Vesta (sp?) I have a 14" Varnamo- swedish and was told they are quite robust for their size. I joined the yahoo shaper group that has excellent tooling ideas and daily discussions of shapers. Recently I scored a manual of that list too if you're looking for one. You're machining your clavo master there, no?
Thanks Cybo. I would love a manual. Do you have a link to the yahoo shapers? I did a bit of work on the clavos master. After I welded it together I straightened it all up and made all the sides parallel.
4:48 pm
NWBA Member
November 8, 2010
Offline
Hey Stretch, I'm glad I started with at least a 14" machine since I would think the little 7's and 8's would max out in a hurry. Now that I'm comfortable with it I'd love to get a 20 or 30" machine that could rip out a thumbnail sized chip. Kind of like hammers and presses- the little ones get the work done but how long do you want to stand there??
I was going to send you this personally but will put it here for the group. The Yahoo shaper group is at: http://finance.groups.yahoo.co.....l_Shapers/ I don't think you'll need to login if you just want to surf the photos and files. Speaking of- under files/manuals, the Varnamo manual pdf. resides there posted by a gunsmith from Switzerland. Lots of priceless info on tooling elsewhere on the site.
They only remember you when you SCREW UP~!!!
9:08 pm
September 26, 2010
Offline
Thanks Cybo
I have no idea how to find the manual. I looked in the maze, just couldn't find anything that would lead me to it. I hope I am a better blacksmith than I am on the internet????
Sorry about that Cybo, if you could help me?
Stretch
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