Router Table or Shaper

[Ted Baca]

Here is my dilemma. I can only afford and power (AC wise) a 110/120 volt tool. I am looking at the Jet 22CS 1.5 HP Router Shaper with 7000 and 9000 RPM
reversable arbor. Or buy a good router table and use a 3hp router. My use will most likely be edge shaping, jointery, dados, some panel shaping, and very little if any molding. So what would you recommend? I have looked at the Jess-em more dough but nice, Bench Dog and a few other router tables. I haven't found another 1.5 HP 120volt shaper to compare the Jet to. The Jet offers reversability of the arbor but when would I need that? Please share your experience with me. I got good advice here when I bought my SawStop and have been 100% satisfied. I thought I would tap into this resource once again. Thank you in advance.

PS Happy Easter to all!

[J.R. Rutter]

A router and table is going to be more versatile if you are getting ramped up. You can always take the router out of the table for other tasks as needed. A shaper really shines in situations where you are using a power feeder to quickly and safely profile larger runs of material. I would bet that you would be better served with a nice 2-3 HP plunge router mounted directly to a table plate.

[Mike Heidrick]

I would build a router table and install either a 7518 porter cable or Milwaukee 5625. I have a 5hp shaper (with feeder) and a router table and for most operations i just use the router table. I installed an Incra LS fence on it and love that setup (I call mine the routerstop as it is built to look similar to the sawstop).
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/table1.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/fence2-1.jpg

[Lou Ferrarini]

For what you are describing, I would definitly go with the router table. I have this one and love it:

http://www.jessem.com/mast_r_lift_excel.htm

Paired with the PC 7518, it is a hard combo to beat.

I would only go with a shaper if you were into big time production runs, or had to do a LOT of raised panels. The router bits are cheaper than shaper cutters and there are a lot more patterns available.