Northwood Shaper vs. Smaller Shaper

[Steve Mathews]

I have an opportunity to purchase a Northwood shaper at a reasonable price. It would have to replace my smaller shaper primarily because of space constraints. The Northwood has an 1 1/4 spindle compared to the 1/4" and 1/2" on the Jet. I seldom use a shaper but the Northwood is hard to pass up because of its build quality. Does the transition make sense? I was also thinking of adding a router table to my table saw extension, which would allow the use of the smaller, more economical and available router bits.

[Jared Sankovich]

Assuming the northwood is a typical 5hp+ import shaper, then I'd say yes. You will also want a feeder.

But I prefer shapers

[Steve Mathews]

Assuming the northwood is a typical 5hp+ import shaper, then I'd say yes. You will also want a feeder.

But I prefer shapers

Yes, it's 5hp and made in Taiwan. And I forgot to mention it does come with a feeder. Is $500 a fair price for it?

[Jared Sankovich]

Yes. Assuming it's a 511 style and not a pm26/delta HD clone it's a great price.

[Steve Mathews]

It's exactly like this one without the side mounted electrical box. The motor is 240V single phase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMC4mKGhIWM

[brent stanley]

With a feeder that's a very fair price if it's in good nick. Go for it!

B

[Scott T Smith]

Great price! You might want to check if 3/4” and 1” spindles are available for it.

[Bill Dufour]

Check to see if there is a router spindle made for that machine. The current version has an optional 3/4 collet spindle. And several other spindle sizes including 1 and 3/4 inch. I did not see 1/2?
Bil lD

[Steve Mathews]

Check to see if there is a router spindle made for that machine. The current version has an opotional 3/4 collet spindle. And several other spindle sizes including 1 and 3/4 inch. I did not see 1/2?
Bil lD

Current version? I didn't know these were still made. Any link to it on the internet?

[Bill Dufour]

Current version? I didn't know these were still made. Any link to it on the internet?

I do not think any of this is really related to the original Northfield machines made in the USA.
Did their factory and all casting patterns burn in a big fire or was that maybe Crescent?
Bill D

http://www.northfieldwoodworking.com/shapers/production.htm

[ray grundhoefer]

Northfield is still making woodworking tools here in minnesota. And no they are not related

[Kevin Jenness]

That is an excellent price even without a powerfeed. For the weight, it is a much more solid machine than a Delta "heavy duty" or Powermatic 27 as it has a solid one piece spindle extending through the cartridge. Be aware that it has limited height adjustment (1 9/16"). I mounted an extension table with an inverted router on the back of mine so they can share the powerfeed.

416421

[Steve Mathews]

That is an excellent price even without a powerfeed. For the weight, it is a much more solid machine than a Delta "heavy duty" or Powermatic 27 as it has a solid one piece spindle extending through the cartridge. Be aware that it has limited height adjustment (1 9/16"). I mounted an extension table with an inverted router on the back of mine so they can share the powerfeed.

416421
Excellent idea on the router extension! What table did you use?

[Kevin Jenness]

I used a Unisaw side table that became surplus when I added an Excalibur crosscut table. I mounted it to the shaper with a 4" c-channel standoff to give the powerfeeed enough room to work. If I could find a router spindle for the shaper I would ditch the add-on for space reasons, but I don't know of a source.

[Bill Dufour]

Northfield is still making woodworking tools here in minnesota. And no they are not related

They fooled me with the name. I am sure it is intentional just like Horror Fright does with their invented names. The taper on the spindles may be the same? They look like a Morse taper to me. Do they have threads on the end for a draw bar?
T