Amazon.com Review

Raised panels, here you come. And you'll never have to buy another piece ofmolding again. The Shopmaster SH100's powerful 9 amp ball bearing induction motorwill run 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch bits at 12,500 rpm through any stock you feed it. It comeswith a two-piece fence, and the halves are independently adjustable, so you'll get precisedepth of cut and ample support post-cut. The clear blade guard does double duty, keepingchips and dust away from your face and helping the dust chute pull out the waste. Weparticularly like the spindle control knob and its height indicator scale, which makeadjustments easier. The lock knob securely holds your settings, and the 3-3/4-inch insertopening will take even the beefiest bit. The 18-by-20-inch die-cast aluminum table offersgreat work support and has a slot opening for accessory holding devices. Finally, thepower switch has a removable lockout key, so little fingers won't be able to turn on theshaper when you're not there. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 9-amp induction-type ball bearing motor for long lasting trouble free operation
• All purpose 12,500 rpm spindle speed handles any routing or shaping job including horizontal panel raising
• Die-cast aluminum 18- by 20-inch table provides ample work support; integral slot facilitates use of accessories
• Removable on-off switch prevents unauthorized use of machine

Reviews (9)

Delta SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper
ASSEMBLY: Assembly was straightforwoard and took less than 30 minutes.

SETUP: Table alignment was acceptable out of the box.

PROs and CONs: I purchased this tool for use as a router table rather than a shaper, and it seems satisfactory for this purpose. However, the overhead blade guard did not fit in the hole provided in the table, nor did the replacement Delta sent me. The usable vertical spindle movement is only about 1-1/4 inches, limiting the use of longer bits. Finally, the small size of the adjustment knob makes adjusting the bit height more of a task than it need be.

You'll be sorry you spent the money
I used (not much) one of these for about a year in my home workshop. There is NOTHING good that I can say about it, except that the motor did actually run.

Notes:
- Lack of power, single speed, bogs down under load
- BAD BAD BAD Fence adjustment. You just can't get it set accurately. Can you say snipe?
- Poor height adjustment, but it can be done.
- Table top is sharp and rough, which makes feeding your material difficult and unsafe.
- No place for featherboards on the fence
- Single speed too fast for big bits, too slow for small ones
- The use of this machine will lead to a near terminal case of frustration.

For a hundred dollars more you can buy a Rousseau router plate, Bosch 1715EVS router, build your own table, Incra Ultra Lite jig (use as router fence - it's great with a slight modification - see review on amazon). I've used this setup without any trouble at all at least twice a week. Please, please, please don't waste your money on Delta's worthless router/shaper.

Know what you're getting into
I bought this device with a very specific single purpose in mind, and was able to make it work with a LOT of effort. I wanted to do tongue-and-groove on some long cedar boards for paneling, and after a lot of futzing was able to make acceptable joints on all my boards. It was cheaper than a good router and table would have been.
That having been said, this is neither a router table NOR a shaper, and combines the WORST of both. The fence adjustment stinks, ditto the height adjustment (see other reviews). The hole in the top won't accept wide bits, so I had to use a spacer board to get my planks to the right cutting height, which is why I had no problems with the sharp edges on the tabletop snagging my workpiece. The extension table accesory requires the removal of the fence and dust collection port. The single speed is too slow for small bits and too fast for big ones. This is not a very adaptable or flexible machine. Buy a router and table.

Minor faults
I bought this after I discovered a cheaply made table and add on router cost more. I've heard all kinds of complaints for adjusting the combo set-ups. I did not want to hassel with that. The Delta works real well. Table top is good. Fences are good quality but a little hard to adjust. I have only used 1/4" cutters (My local hardware does not have 1/2") and have trouble removing them. I'll order the 1/2" cutters. My main complaint is the depth adjustment. I had expected it to be more accurate. I'll have to work with it more and get used to it. Overall a very good machine for the money.

I do not know what the problem is?
I have been pleased overall with this shaper for the price. My major complaints are the fence has no t-track or fine adjustment as is,and why can't the manuf. give you a real wrench instead of the poor quality stamped wrenches. I already have cracked one, which Delta replaced. I use a real wrench now and want to change the fense some day.For now I add another face to it.
The height adj. will not be accurate if you lower it to final height but the manual says to raise it to final height and then is no problem with the lock down. Sometimes it pays to read it.
As far as height length of the bit,my unit will allow the spindle to extend beyond the top?
If you wax the top you will not have any marking, or spray a coat of clear poly on it. Woodworkers are in the habit of waxing and polishing metal tops all the time.
The collets self release, but 99% of the time I use 1/2" shanks. Do you want to use a 1/4' shank on a shaper unless you have no choice? I have no problem with the 1/4' sticking on the rare occasion that I have to use it. I avoid 1/4 shanks if at all possible. As with all self releasing collets, you have to continue to turn the nut to get to the self release feature. Over insertion on any collet can cause problems too. That is a universal problem. Also as mentioned, quality router bit can also make a huge difference.
I have no run out, the inserts line up, and there is good dust collection and I am not sucking dust into my router as most will when upside down. I can use it at job site too even though it is heavy, but that is a plus for stability and lack of vibration.
It is not a $1000 shaper, maybe others thought it would perform like one. If you want that type of performance spend the money.
I have milled almost a thousand feet with this unit and would buy it again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The professional cabinetmaker either already has this shaper—-or wants it. The X5 series of tools exceed Delta's exacting standards for pro-grade instruments, producing the very best results. This powerful shaper has three horses under the hood running a poly V-belt, while on the surface are two rock-solid, flat and true cast-iron extension wings and our favorite feature, the micro-adjustable fence, arguably the best on the market. Accessing both spindle speeds is a quick, no-hassle task. The cutter guard is easy to work with, and the smoothly tapered start pin gives you a safe way to cut away from the fence with a combination of cutters and collars. An absolute powerhouse, it doesn't whine or snag no matter what you feed it. Making raised panels is like a day at the beach with this machine in your shop. Without a doubt, this is among the finest shapers we've seen.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 3HP single phase motor with full voltage motor starter (GPE)
• Controls, motor, pulley, Poly V-belt drive
• Two 10" cast iron extension wings, micro adjustable fence and guard assembly
• 3/4" spindle, table inserts, starting pin, 2-speed spindle pulley and wrenches

Reviews (1)

good machine
I just set this machine up yesterday and I love it already. I have been in the cabinet business for years and this is the most easily adjustable fence I have ever used. This shaper is worth the price. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 3-horsepower, 230-volt motor provides plenty of power
• Poly V-drive system transmits more efficient torque to the spindle
• Unitized design of motor, spindle, and height adjustment mechanism for more accuracy
• Micro-adjust fence makes set ups quick, esy, and precise

Reviews (1)

Consider others before you buy...
I purchased this tool at a special price during a sale. There was also a rebate on it at the time. So I bought...

The shaper is good quality and I've had no problems with it. Delta offers accessory spindles from .5 in. to 1.25" as well as a spindle to allow use of 1/2" router bits. They are overpriced...

The fence system is good quality but I don't care for the design. It looks cool... Delta has incorporated a system of hold-downs into the fence that look pretty but aren't terribly functional. I would prefer the simpler wood fence with the spring hold-downs. The micro-adjustment is nice.

Overall, 3 stars... The shaper works well and is a nice tool. The fence is not a good as it looks. In my opinion, there are better values to be had from other manufacturers. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 5-horsepower, 200/230/460-volt motor provides plenty of power
• Poly V-drive system transmits more efficient torque to the spindle
• Unitized design of motor, spindle, and height adjustment mechanism for more accuracy
• Micro-adjust fence makes set ups quick, esy, and precise

Reviews (1)

Bad Packaging and Amazon
Item was packaged bad and was broken in two and now I am wondering why Amazon charged me twice and wont even return a damn email. I think its time to go back to buying local ... Read more

Features

• 3-hp, 1-phase induction motor for powerful cutting
• 2 speeds: 7,000 and 10,000 rpm, forward/reverse for a variety of applications
• Accepts five spindle sizes 1/2-to-1-inch accommodating a wide range of cutters
• Low voltage, magnetic motor starter for safer operation
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Features

• Mobile base, cast-iron wing, and router spindle assembly included
• Powerful 3-horsepower, single phase, 230-volt motor provides the power and precision
• Large 40-by-27-inch cast-iron table supports large work pieces
• Heavy-duty fence assembly delivers superior accuracy
• 7,000 and 10,000 rpm speed settings

Reviews (5)

After 24 months
I purchased this machine with the idea that I would give up my router table. I have and use both the shaper and the router table. The shaper I use for heavy cutting application with 4/4 and above projects. It eats wood - and in doing so cuts time required for any project. As a furniture maker my projects normally require some shaping. Under 4/4 wood the router table is the primary shaping power tool I use usless we are making repeated cuts as in machining flooring - then the shaper is the tool of choice. I have run about 4,000 brd feet through the shaper. If I had the need and was looking for another shaper I would purchase this one again.

Fantastic machine
This machine is an upgrade from my previous shaper which was a Jet JWS-22CS. It cost me several hundred dollars to make the change but it was well worth it. I have been a woodworker since I was a child. My father was a master carpenter and he introduced me to woodworking at a very young age. I have always had access to quality machines which makes me very critical of quality issues.

I was very disappointed with the JWS-22CS from the beginning but to speak fairly, I was expecting too much for the price range of the machine. I have discovered no significant quality issues with the Delta shaper. I set it up in about an hour and everything worked right the first time. The fence is the best I have ever used. It is accurate and easy to move and adjust. I must admit that with all of the safety guards and shields included with the fence in place it is very difficult to use the machine and I removed most of them. The machine has excellent power and runs very smooth and quiet. With dust collector connected and the canopy adjusted properly virtually no chips escape being collected. It is easy to make adjustments, change cutters, and change spindles. The mobile base precisely fits the machine and is adequately built to easily handle the weight of the machine.

I am digging very deep to find anything negative to say about this machine but here goes: For the price of the machine I think the 1/2 inch spindle accessory should have been included and the table extension surfaces are not finished to the same quality as the main table but the finish is satisfactory.

In summary, this is an excellent professional quality machine and would be a fine addition to any wood shop. I have several American made Delta machines and am extremely satisfied with all. If you are looking for a quality shaper at a fair price this machine is probably the best choice you could make.

Solid performer - a few set up issues
I am an amateur woodworker - handyman and have been looking for a router table for some time. I decided that a shaper would do everything that a router table could and then some. My tool buying philosophy is "buy it once, buy it right." This Delta shaper is exactly what I needed. It has the router bit spindle included - both 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets are supplied.

This is a solid, heavy piece of woodworking machinery. The fence assembly is cast iron, and the spindle adjustment has a heavy hand wheel that allows for extremely precise height control. With the exception of the fine adjustment dials on the fence, everything is overbuilt. (Yes!) It has plenty of power to spin up large cutters for panel raising and making rail and stile doors. It is very smooth, almost no vibration.

The fence and safety system take a little getting used to, but are quite effective. (Okay, I don't use all the safety shields because they sometimes get in the way.)

I have only two complaints about this machine:

One of my extension wings is not perfectly straight. (Can't get that thing level with the main table to save my life!)

The overload switch on my machine was set wrong. It stopped working on the third use. All that was required was opening the power switch assembly and turning a screw - not a big deal fortunately.

Overall I am very happy with this machine and would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit more than a simple router table.

(Oh yeah, hope you are handy with electrical wiring because you will need a 240V outlet to run this beast.)

Awsome machine
I've been using a 3hp router in my router table with some success for about 3 years now. The tooth fairy brought me this machine for my birthday, and I'm amazed at my new capabilities. The 3 horsepower motor has enough power to drive a 4" molding head, enabling me to make the 5000 feet of molding I needed for a remodeling project. While I was at it, I also made raised panel doors for custom cabinets in the same house. I have always been a Jet tools fan, but if this machine is any indication, I'm a convert.

Just needs a little more tweaking.
Having been a professional woodworker for about 15 years,finetuning my tools is nothing new.However,this brand new shaper wouldn't even start.After I had it repaired,it turns out that the motor fan(plastic) had casting burrs on it that came in contact with the motor housing and prevented the motor from turning.Also,I'm not to fond of the fence system because of it's inability to accept a sacrificial fence.But all in all I like the Delta 43-437 shaper. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 3 hp, 230-volt motor provides plenty of power
• Poly V-drive system transmits more efficient torque to the spindle
• Unitized design of motor, spindle, and height adjustment mechanism for more accuracy
• Includes 10" cast iron wing and 3/4" spindle

Reviews (1)

A straight forward, high quality solid machine
If ever there was a piece of woodworking machinery that required precision engineering and solid construction it's a shaper. The spindle must be perfectly balanced, straight, substantial in size, and must be at absolute right angles to the tabletop. In addition to a solid structure for the spindle, the raising and lowering mechanism for the spindle must be very precise and finely threaded. This allows dead accurate motion up and down in measured intervals i.e. one full turn of the hand wheel equals 1/64 of an inch spindle movement with no "slop" in the action of the wheel. The fence on a shaper must also be accurately made and rock solid to withstand the force of a feeder pushing against it.

Of all the machinery made by Delta that I have experience with, this shaper meets all of those requirements with flying colours. This is a well-designed well-made machine that is built to last. Mine has a fixed 1" diameter spindle although I wish I had a 1 1/4" diameter spindle as most shaper heads are made for a 1 1/4" diameter spindle. Delta makes interchangeable spindles from 3/4" to 1 1/4" diameter, but you must purchase the model that allows spindles to be swapped out to take advantage of this. Delta also makes a spindle with a collet on top that allows you to use router bits in the shaper. However, this machine has a maximum speed of 9,000 RPM, which is considerably slower than most routers, so I can't imagine how you would get proper performance out of using router bits in a shaper. I've always questioned the logic of swapping spindles as anything that can be removed is subject to wear and/or damage. Shaper spindles are the last thing I would want to risk damaging for both accuracy and safety. Mine has a "deluxe" fence and since I bought mine Delta has introduced a "micro adjustable" fence. The biggest advantage to the newer fence is the ability to have very fine in/out adjustments on both fence plates; mine has one side fixed and the other adjustable. The fence on mine shipped with removable MDF fence plates, not the greatest but I have made many specialized fence plates over the years for various purposes. I'm not sure if you can attach your own plates on the newer fence or if you're stuck with using only the aluminum fence plates which would be a significant disadvantage.

Two items that I really have to be critical of Delta on relative to this machine. Number one is the "dust collector adaptor". This part is VERY costly for what it is (a piece of plastic that resembles a flange used in plastic plumbing pipe) AND it reduces from the opening in the back of the fence down to 2 1/2". Trust me, your shop vac with a 2 1/2" hose will NOT be able to draw out shavings created by the shaper. So connection to a dust collector on a shaper is essential and I had to buy a second adapter to go from 2 1/2" back up to 4" in diameter. Hello Delta, if your going to make a "dust collector adapter" you might consider making it to fit a dust collector! Just a thought.

Second is the fact that I had to drill holes for my Delta stock feeder myself (I've reviewed the feeder too). As I said in my stock feeder review, I can understand why Delta doesn't drill holes in table saw tops by default, but a shaper? These holes would not interfere with anything even if two sets of holes (to allow for alternate locations for the feeder) were drilled at the factory. Not that drilling these holes was a big deal, it's just one more thing to do and the position I used for my feeder required one of the holes to be tapped (which required the hole to be very accurately drilled).

If you are looking to buy a shaper you can't go wrong with this one, but a word to the wise, put a stock feeder into your budget. Working on a shaper without a stock feeder is risky and in my humble opinion a shaper is perhaps the most dangerous machine you will have in your shop, so do everything you can to lower the risk of accidents. The feeder also gives you the maximum benefit from using a shaper over a router, maximum control and pressure against the table or fence and a consistent feed speed results in dead accurate profiles. If your planning on making frame and panel doors, accuracy in the profiles is essential and the feeder will make your life easier and the quality of your doors much higher. Another word of advice, prepare yourself for "sticker shock" when buying tooling for your shaper... especially if all you have ever bought is router bits. Choose your shaper tooling carefully and try to get maximum benefit from everything you buy. Replaceable carbide is the way to fly, but these cutter heads generally cost significantly more than cutter heads with the carbide brazed on. However, the carbide used in replaceable cutter heads is a different composition than carbide brazed onto cutter heads and in my observations is actually sharper and holds an edge longer.

I have worked on other shapers significantly bigger and more powerful than the Delta, but in a small to medium sized shop that does not run this type of machine everyday the Delta is an excellent choice. Similar to every other machine I've reviewed I would also recommend getting the mobile base. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Handles any routing or shaping job including horizontal panel raising
• Die cast aluminum table provides ample work support
• Built in dust chute
• Accepts all 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch shank router bits for many applications

Reviews (11)

Buyer Beware
Bought this for price and name. Know what you're getting. The two piece fence is difficult to true up. The sharp edges on the table ribs catch any imperfection in the workpiece and make it hard to move smoothly. The mechanism to lock the head in place raises the head 1/16" and angles it closer to the fence by 1/32". OK for real low precision work.

Works Fine
I must have a different machine than anyone else. Adjusted the fence in accordance with the instructions and have no problem. The table top is not rough and wood slides thru smooth. Bought it for portability for jobsite. Don't intend to use the router/shaper for heavy duty shaping, so it does fine.

the greater shaper
I rated this tool at 4, and I'll tell you why. It is very easy to operate. The knobs are all easy to read and to get to. It has a nice little adjustable fence, It takes both 1/4" and 1/2" router bits. It also has a depth gauge with it. Very nice work can be turned out on this machine. However, (this is why I gave it a '4' rating). It only has one speed. This means "tear outs" on harder woods. on hard woods such as oak, it requires multiple passes at smaller bites.-I mean 'real small' bites. Also, in order to use any shaper blades, you have to spend additional money to purchase the shaper spindle. It is not included with this machine. I think Delta could have charged a little more, and included the spindle. But overall, it's a good machine, well worth the money.

Delta router/shaper model 43-505
I too wish I had read the reviews about this machine before I bought. Like most all of the reviews I have now read,I agree with them all. Lousy fence,height adjustment and sharp ribbed top. I guess you get what you pay for ; but don't buy this one. I expected more from Delta.

Delta is selling this?
I purchased this without looking at the reviews, boy I wish I had. This is not up to Delta's rebutation. The fence is terrible and I consider it unsafe. The grooves on the top have too many sharp edges. Larger bits do not work with the size of the opening.

The only thing I like is the thought put into the two wrenches to change the bits.(...) ... Read more