Rockwell/Delta HD Shaper + Big Power Feeder + Mobile base = BAD or OK idea?

[Todd Burch]

Or, maybe it's not a big power feeder… you tell me!!

I have a 43-340 Rockwell/Delta Heavy Duty Shaper, 2HP, 3PH. It has the cast iron base. Circa '68 I think. It has two 8" cast iron extension wings, making the table 27" x 36". One 3/4" spindle (and missing a lot of other parts - it's a project). My intention is to get a mobile base for it and keep it out of the way when not in use.

I also have a Delta Power Feeder, 36-850, with a 1HP, 8 speed, 3PH motor and 4 wheels. Would this feeder be too large to mount to the shaper with the shaper being on a mobile base?

Next question. Where's the right spot to mount this feeder? On the table proper? Or, 1/2 way on the table proper and 1/2 way on a wing? Do I tap the cast iron top or through drill it and use nuts?

Here's a picture. You can click the picture to see more pictures of it.

Thanks, Todd

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/16517743789_b23ac97d49.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raBKL2)Rockwell Heavy Duty Shaper (https://flic.kr/p/raBKL2) on Flickr

[Mike Cutler]

Todd

I am by no means an expert, but I bought a 43-375 a few months back, and the power feeder holes are drilled and tapped into the main table area.
The Power feeder is positioned over the center of balance of the shaper when in use, so it should be fine on a mobile base. I still need to get a power feeder for mine.
Mine is currently mounted on one of those inexpensive mobile bases that comes as a kit, and the person supplies the wooden rails. It's not ideal and I know that I plan to put mine on a nice HTC base as soon as spring gets here. I figure I need at least a 500lb. rated base for mine once the power feeder is installed.
There a person that makes some of the more critical replacement parts for your shaper, and that everyone speaks highly of. Here is his link. ( I hope this isn't a violation of Forum Policy.)

http://artisans.homeunix.com:443

[Peter Quinn]

The 4 wheel feeder is pushing it, but in use the feeder is over the center of gravity so not at all tipsy. When you move it you may want to keep the feeder to the center, when you park it and do freehand work don't give the feeder any more extension than necessary, and a few sand bags in the bottom of the cabinet may help keep things stable. I have a little bigger shaper with a 4 wheel feeder on it, and its fine as long as I'm conscious of the potential for tipping at the extremities. I had a delta HD shaper with feeder and mounted it on the extension wing, in your picture it would be on the rear left, the wing opposite the miter gauge, on the side opposite the hand wheel. That way I could use it with the fence in the miter gauge position or in the other position perpendicular to the miter gauge using the longer run of the table across the two wings. In reality I almost never used the longer run of the table with feeder, only for freehand work, but its nice to have the potential.