Operations, General, Cutters vs. Router Bits

W1701 1HP Shaper

OPERATIONS

General

This machine will perform many types of operations that are beyond the scope of this manual. Many of these operations can be dangerous or deadly if performed incor- rectly.

The instructions in this section are written with the under- standing that the operator has the necessary knowledge and skills to operate this machine. If at any time you are experiencing difficulties performing any operation, stop using the machine!

If you are an inexperienced operator, we strongly recom- mend that you read books, trade articles, or seek train- ing from an experienced operator before performing any unfamiliar operations. Above all, your safety should come first!

READ and understand this entire instruc- tion manual before using this machine. Serious personal injury may occur if safety and operational information is not understood and followed. DO NOT risk your safety by not reading!

OPERATIONS

Cutters vs. Router Bits

When shipped, the Model W1701 is setup for using shaper cutters. However, if you plan on using router bits, you must first convert the Model W1701 to a router table. To convert your shaper to a router table, refer to Page 23.

If you're not sure which type of cutting equipment you will use, read below for the pros and cons of both.

Always wear safety glasses when oper- ating this machine. Failure to comply may result in serious personal injury.

Shaper Cutters

Pros—Shaper cutters are larger, more durable and gener- ally last longer than router bits. If you plan on cutting many linear feet of a certain profile, then shaper cutters are the best choice.

Cons—Shaper cutters are much more expensive than rout- er bits and they are typically too large for small projects.

Router Bits

Pros—Router bits are cheaper than shaper cutters and come in a wider range of profiles and sizes. If you plan on making small projects that do not require many linear feet of cutting, then router bits are the best choice.

Cons—Router bits are not as durable as shaper cutters, and they are typically designed to be operated faster than this machine can operate.

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DO NOT investigate problems or adjust the Machine Name while it is running. Wait until the machine is turned OFF, unplugged and all working parts have come to a complete stop before proceeding!