New to me T3 and some help

[phil freels]

Greetings All-

I recently picked up a minimax T3 shaper with the sliding table. This is my 1st shaper. There was no manual and the fellow I bought it from was selling for a lady who lost her husband. so my questions were unable to be answered. It is a clean unit.
what I was told:
3 hp
220v / single phase
3/4" spindle

that's it. he didn't even know the sliding table went with it until I asked. I'm having a hard time finding anything out on the internet other than the T3 is a good shaper.

1st, does anyone know of a manual? No link I can find works and I see none 2nd hand.
it has a 3/4" spindle. I've seen them with other size spindles, but heard they cant be switched. can anyone confirm this?
Is there any drawback to using bushings to run 1-1/4" cutters?
there are spacers for the spindle. 1 (and only 1) of them has a set screw. any idea why?
There is an AEG power switch and a red 3 position switch under it.
I assume the red switch is forward and reverse? does anyone use the power button or just use the red switch?
what is the general consensus on the OEM fence quality?
do I need specific insets? the round ones, none came with it.
id like to know the PM / grease points and frequency.
what are the 2 L shaped bars on top of the fence?
is it feasible to have a power feeder on this with the sliding table? I assume Id have to remove it to use the slider. and use the opposite side of the table with the power feeder?

506252506253

[Richard Coers]

The search feature can be very helpful. Even has a link to downloading a manual https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?147742-Mini-Max-T3-Shaper-Question

[phil freels]

like i said.... I've searched and cant find any answers and the links to manuals dont work.

[Jim Becker]

If you register for SCM/Minimax's "Parts Pronto", you may be able to find and download the manual from there. You have to be a registered user to be able to look for manuals. You might also reach out to Sam Blasco.

Sam Blasco
Joinery Machines Specialist
sam.blasco@scmgroup.com (sblasco@scmgroup.com)
512-931-1962 (tel:512-931-1962)

[Curt Harms]

like i said.... I've searched and cant find any answers and the links to manuals dont work.

The search facility on this site is .... lacking. If I want to search this site, I use something like this in the browser's address bar:

search for this thing site:sawmillcreek.org. That works on sites other than sawmillcreek as well.

[Bill Dufour]

Could the switch be a three speed switch? I read some are three speed.
Bill D.

I sthis the same machine?
https://lagunatools.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MSHAP4SPD-3-0130-.pdf

[phil freels]

Ill register on the SCM and see.

it is 3 speed, but Its done via the pulley.

[Kevin Jenness]

I may be wrong but I don't believe those early T3s had interchangeable spindles. You can use larger bore cutters with bushings but only up to a point - beware of using heavy, large diameter cutters on an undersized spindle or at a higher speed than they are rated for.

The spacer with set screw is probably meant to engage with a slot in a spindle to prevent unscrewing of the cap nut when running in reverse - does your spindle have a groove? If not, toss the set screw, you don't want it flying loose unexpectedly.

I have made wooden table inserts in the past. The fence is probably on a par with most oem fences, which is to say the two halves do not line up reliably w/o shimming. The L-brackets in the top of the fence are for spring hold-downs. A power feed would be a great addition but you will have to experiment to see if you can mount the base in a position that it does not have to be removed to use the sliding table.

That is a decent shaper for its class, if you could get a larger spindle it would be better. Since this is your first shaper, beware of safety issues. Shapers are not just large router tables. Try to get some expert hands-on instruction. Stephenson's Shaper Handbook, is a worthwhile reference, as is the old Delta Getting the most out of your shaper. There are some good instructional videos by Roy Sutton on Youtube, and Joe Calhoon has some good short ones on specific operations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n6yTHMBX54&t=4s

If you think you may buy another, larger one in the future, buy 1 1/4" bore tooling that will run safely on this machine. I have a mix of 1 1/4" and 3/4" and it is a pain to swap ou spindles frequently, plus the larger diameter cutters tend to cut cleaner and are not much of an upcharge. Shapers are like lathes in that tooling and accessory costs tend to outstrip the initial machine purchase.

[Bob Falk]

I have this exact machine....I am a hobbyist and it has been a great machine for me and it is well made and runs smoothly. Like you, I bought it used (about 20 years ago). I only use it occasionally, but it has served me well. I have used it mostly for T&G paneling (oak, DF); base and window moulding for my house remodel (poplar), paneling for a sauna (DF), etc). I would be hesitant to use large cutters on this machine with a 3/4" spindle. I concur with the other posters.....read the Shaper Handbook. And, get yourself a power feeder. See my other responses other below.


Greetings All-

I recently picked up a minimax T3 shaper with the sliding table. This is my 1st shaper. There was no manual and the fellow I bought it from was selling for a lady who lost her husband. so my questions were unable to be answered. It is a clean unit.
what I was told:
3 hp
220v / single phase
3/4" spindle

that's it. he didn't even know the sliding table went with it until I asked. I'm having a hard time finding anything out on the internet other than the T3 is a good shaper.

1st, does anyone know of a manual? No link I can find works and I see none 2nd hand.

I have a manual, but its not much help. PM me and I will make you a copy.

it has a 3/4" spindle. I've seen them with other size spindles, but heard they cant be switched. can anyone confirm this?

I can not confirm this. The 3/4 spindle has worked fine for me, but I have not tried to run large diameter cutters. This machine has worked well for edge profiling of 3/4" boards.

Is there any drawback to using bushings to run 1-1/4" cutters?

I wouldn't think so as long as the cutter doesn't get too large. Not sure if you would need different spacers.

there are spacers for the spindle. 1 (and only 1) of them has a set screw. any idea why?

Not sure

There is an AEG power switch and a red 3 position switch under it.
I assume the red switch is forward and reverse? does anyone use the power button or just use the red switch?

Red switch is forward/reverse. I set that based on my cutter orientation and then ONLY use the on/off. You don't want to run your cutter the wrong direction/orientation. Spindle speed is by changing pully/belt under the cabinet.

what is the general consensus on the OEM fence quality?

I built my own fence. The OEM fence is not super accurate without shimming as was stated by another poster.

do I need specific insets? the round ones, none came with it.

I don't know what you mean by insets

id like to know the PM / grease points and frequency.

I put some grease on the threaded up/down shaft now and then. Nothing else needed.

what are the 2 L shaped bars on top of the fence?

Not sure what you are referring to.

is it feasible to have a power feeder on this with the sliding table? I assume Id have to remove it to use the slider. and use the opposite side of the table with the power feeder?

I wouldn't run a shaper without a power feeder. I have a 1 HP 3 wheel power feeder (Steff 3033) permanently mounted to the shaper and I highly recommend you do the same. Hand feeding a shaper is risky IMO. Plus you get better results with a feeder. I mounted my feeder on the back left side (facing the shaper) and it swings out of the way if I want to use the sliding table.

506252506253

[phil freels]

Thanks for all the replies. Idk why but I can't see any pictures, even my own 🤷

I registered with SCM but can't find anything. I emailed them a week ago with no reply.

[Patrick McCarthy]

Phil, you have to be a contributor to see the pictures. $6 per year, pretty much a bargain.

Hit the Donate button on the top toolbar and it should lead you thru it.