The Metal Shaper

This, like the remainder of the series, is a good book on building the particular item. It gives step by step detail on building the shaper and requires no specialized tools that you can't make yourself. It does use the lathe from the first book, as the series is meant to be done in order. The shaper is dismissed by a lot of machinist as being an “obsolete” machine. While this is true in production machine shops, they are quite handy to have in the home shop. They can do many of the functions of a milling machine using only a single point tool. Once you’ve laid out $20 for an end mill, only to break it due to an error, you begin to appreciate a $5 tool you can sharpen yourself on a bench grinder. It can also do a few things that the mill can’t, notably internal keyways and splines, including blind keyways and splines. As with the remainder of the Gingery books, it gives step by step details on both construction and techniques for building the shaper, and gives you’re mind some stimulation in the design and building departments. You can do a web search and find many examples of this machine built and operating, some which are highly modified. There is also a Yahoo Group devoted to the Gingery machines if you need further inspiration. I don’t plan to build this particular machine myself, as I have a couple of commercial shapers already and can attest to their usefulness. Hobby size shapers like this one tend to be quite expensive on the used market, so if you are limited on both cash and space, this is a great way to get one.

David Gingery book. 'Nuff said!

This book is good but for those with good 3D visualizing embedded in their brains. The explanation almost purely verbal is not a strength for mechanics which are visual. Good ideas for making machines with simple and available materials. Would give 5 starts if there was drawings of how the parts are assembled together. Of course mechanics can figure that out. But, a good book should make that easier for the builder.

Dave Gingery was a great guy. He wrote to where almost anyone could understand how to build machinery.

I built it!Gingery's books are the most empowering library available. If you start on one of his projects and follow it to completion, you will have gained skills and confidence far surpassing anything any college program can give.

Great guide to building this machine. I am just starting to build it, but have finished the lathe. One or two fuzzy points or mismatched dimensions, but very comprehensive.

enjoyed the book , building one from scratch right now . about 80% done.book has great information in it. it is written so almost all do it your selfhome shop folks can under stand and make project. highly recommend .

Great writer great seller highly recommended