Rockwell 43-372 Shaper

[Daryl Henderson]

I have an opportunity to buy a Rockwell 43-372 shaper. It is 5hp/3ph with a 3/4 spindle. The price is $550.

I don't have 3 phase available so I will have to replace the motor or use a phase converter. I have been looking for a good shaper in my area for a while, and they are scarce.

Does anyone have an opinion about this machine and the price. I have not owned a shaper but would like to have one. Hobby use, doors etc.

Thanks

[Peter Quinn]

Parts will be hard to get if required, an 1 1/4" spindle is preferable with that much horse power, probably 2 more horse than a 3/4" spindle needs, but a solid design that has not changed much to this day. I have an older delta 3HP 3/4" spindle, solid machine that does a lot of work for me. Good small shop machine, great hobby machine, even a very adequate starter tool for a small business. Figure $300 for a new motor and still not a bad value if all else works well. Make sure the spindle bearings are tight and the spindle is straight and not bent in any way.

[Jeff Duncan]

Not a bad price if it's in good shape. You may have to replace the electricals though (switch etc.) in addition to the motor, so keep that cost in mind.
I sold a 3 hp Delta w/ 3/4" spindle for $700 a year or 2 ago and that seems to be about the going rate, though it may have dipped even lower in recent months due to the overall economy.
good luck,
JeffD

[Charlie Plesums]

You might want to look into the simple static phase converters. The cheaper ones give you 70.7% of the rated power - and with a 3/4 inch spindle, you have power to spare.

I have both 3/4 and 1 1/4 inch spindles. I started buying 3/4 inch cutters because they are slightly cheaper, but the difference is like the difference between 1/4 and 1/2 inch router bits.... hard to describe the difference but you can feel it. Practically all my cutters now are 1 1/4 inch