Thank you for your well presented and informative video. When I was an engingeering apprentice in the early 1960s one of the first machines that we were taught how to use was a shaper - your video brought back a lot of memories. Glad that yuou mentioned Naysmith, Maudsley and Armstrong - in the nation's history these titans of the industrial revolution are unjustly forgotten.
A type of machine which has fascinated me since I first saw one, I had never really considered the travelling head version before this video, the fixed head version being far more common. Hope to see this machine 'earning it's keep' once again.
Love this old machines. I don't own such time-honored equipment, but I do own an old AEG column drill and an electric hacksaw from the early 70s and I really enjoy working with them.
We had a huge Butler travelling head shaper at a textile printer's I worked at in the late 80's. It's table was bigger than your whole machine ! It was one of a couple of remaining machines (vertical slotter and a big twin wheel grinder) still driven from a lineshaft. The electric motor for the line shaft was sited in the roof and had an old fashioned "over centre" star delta starter to fire it up. I had to use the vertical slotter (first time in a couple of years) and when I started up the line shaft, we got covered in grass, fluff and feathers as some sparrows had built a nest inside the motor ! The place closed in the 90's and all the machines including some old long bed Lang lathes (with flat shears) went off to Pakistan, along with most of the textile machinery.
@@douglasmcdermott2830 I bought a milling machine once from an elderly gentleman who (his wife having passed away) had moved the engineering workshop into the living room of his bungalow where he might benefit from the central heating!
I thank you for the chance to watch your start-up of a unique version of a metal shaper. This layout, is more like short stroke planer. Start a cut, and go next door to the pub for a half pint of ale, while the chips build up. Thanks again.
Lovely old shaper Jonesy and you'll find it very useful, because of the length of traverse and the fact it is a single point cutting tool. My little benchtop Mit-a-Mit shaper is also travelling head with a similar length traverse. I plan to make a power hacksaw attachment for it and it will get more use. 😁
@Afro408 Ive very been surprised by how useful the fixed table is. Several jobs I've done on it have been large, bulky and often need outboard trestle support, something that would be tricky on a shaper with a traversing table. I love the hack saw attachment idea!
As far as I'm aware, almost all travelling head shapers had dovetail ways and rams. It's something that I'd not given much thought to, as my pedestal shaper has square ways and it's around the same age if not a little newer! Interesting!
@@iron_jonesy for whatever reason, many shapers that I've seen over here had dovetail ways in the real early days circa 1860s-80s then square ways became more common from then into the teens, although some companies stuck with dovetails all the way
That’s a cracking machine! I’d not seen 1 of that design before , fascinating too you recon it was Joseph Whitworths design I think Mr Whitworth should have a tv program done like Mr Brunel has , he is probably my favourite Victorian hero as I believe it was he who • decimalised the inch ( created the “thou” ) • 1st rifled gun barrels • obviously the 1st standardised thread form • probably other stuff too Iv got an18” butler super shaper in fairly good condition but so far have been unable to run it as it’s 7.5 hp 3ph and iv not got a 3ph supply Really enjoyed the video thanks 👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
Absolutely, there's a few Victorian engineers who should be a lot more famous than Brunel! Lovely machines those big Butlers Glad you enjoyed the video!
Just became aware of your channel. great shop. Only seen these cut gears so that show how much I know. Amazed it has survived in such good condition and a treat to see it being used. Look forward to seeing more,
just found you and love it! that machine is in good hands i would say , and won't get scrapped. close to the wall on the backstroke. really like your workshop with all the belt system. i have a Smith Barker and Wilson ( flat belt also) from approx 1918 and still use it sometimes, cheers
Simple but brilliant, a good addition to the shop. Like all of us oldies there might be a bit of wear and tear, but we still keep going. 👍
Thank you for your well presented and informative video. When I was an engingeering apprentice in the early 1960s one of the first machines that we were taught how to use was a shaper - your video brought back a lot of memories. Glad that yuou mentioned Naysmith, Maudsley and Armstrong - in the nation's history these titans of the industrial revolution are unjustly forgotten.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I agree, the machine tool builders don't get nearly enough credit! Cheers!
A type of machine which has fascinated me since I first saw one, I had never really considered the travelling head version before this video, the fixed head version being far more common.
Hope to see this machine 'earning it's keep' once again.
Love this old machines. I don't own such time-honored equipment, but I do own an old AEG column drill and an electric hacksaw from the early 70s and I really enjoy working with them.
never saw such a beast, and i am a shaper fan! I have a 24x24 shaper, actual stroke 26. mine is about 1899-1905
We had a huge Butler travelling head shaper at a textile printer's I worked at in the late 80's. It's table was bigger than your whole machine ! It was one of a couple of remaining machines (vertical slotter and a big twin wheel grinder) still driven from a lineshaft. The electric motor for the line shaft was sited in the roof and had an old fashioned "over centre" star delta starter to fire it up. I had to use the vertical slotter (first time in a couple of years) and when I started up the line shaft, we got covered in grass, fluff and feathers as some sparrows had built a nest inside the motor !
The place closed in the 90's and all the machines including some old long bed Lang lathes (with flat shears) went off to Pakistan, along with most of the textile machinery.
Now that’s a living room worthy machine
@@douglasmcdermott2830 I bought a milling machine once from an elderly gentleman who (his wife having passed away) had moved the engineering workshop into the living room of his bungalow where he might benefit from the central heating!
As an apprentice in the 70's, I spent some months using a Bigger Version of this Machine, doing Key ways in Huge Gears ... Useful !
Thanks, for sharing. Im planning to use it soon to put an key way in a large pulley!
Great to see old machines still working. Thanks for the video.
120 year old machine and it still works quite well
Nice to see the old stuff still working
I thank you for the chance to watch your start-up of a unique version of a metal shaper. This layout, is more like short stroke planer. Start a cut, and go next door to the pub for a half pint of ale, while the chips build up. Thanks again.
Shapers are amazing. I have a small one in my shop that I never use. But, I love it none the less.
Lovely old shaper Jonesy and you'll find it very useful, because of the length of traverse and the fact it is a single point cutting tool. My little benchtop Mit-a-Mit shaper is also travelling head with a similar length traverse. I plan to make a power hacksaw attachment for it and it will get more use. 😁
@Afro408 Ive very been surprised by how useful the fixed table is. Several jobs I've done on it have been large, bulky and often need outboard trestle support, something that would be tricky on a shaper with a traversing table. I love the hack saw attachment idea!
@ Cheers mate! 👍🏼😁
very interesting machine, the clapper box should have been swung the other way so the tool comes away from the cut on the return stroke.
Agreed, will definitely do that next time. Although the old style fixed tool holder does make things tricky.
Impressive to see dovetail ways on a shaper of this age. Looking good!
As far as I'm aware, almost all travelling head shapers had dovetail ways and rams. It's something that I'd not given much thought to, as my pedestal shaper has square ways and it's around the same age if not a little newer! Interesting!
@@iron_jonesy for whatever reason, many shapers that I've seen over here had dovetail ways in the real early days circa 1860s-80s then square ways became more common from then into the teens, although some companies stuck with dovetails all the way
That’s a cracking machine!
I’d not seen 1 of that design before , fascinating too you recon it was Joseph Whitworths design
I think Mr Whitworth should have a tv program done like Mr Brunel has , he is probably my favourite Victorian hero as I believe it was he who
• decimalised the inch ( created the “thou” )
• 1st rifled gun barrels
• obviously the 1st standardised thread form
• probably other stuff too
Iv got an18” butler super shaper in fairly good condition but so far have been unable to run it as it’s 7.5 hp 3ph and iv not got a 3ph supply
Really enjoyed the video thanks 👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
Absolutely, there's a few Victorian engineers who should be a lot more famous than Brunel!
Lovely machines those big Butlers
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice machine thanks
Just became aware of your channel. great shop. Only seen these cut gears so that show how much I know. Amazed it has survived in such good condition and a treat to see it being used. Look forward to seeing more,
Thanks for stopping by!
Very quiet system
just found you and love it! that machine is in good hands i would say , and won't get scrapped. close to the wall on the backstroke. really like your workshop with all the belt system. i have a Smith Barker and Wilson ( flat belt also) from approx 1918 and still use it sometimes, cheers
Welcome! I have seen a couple of those around, good to hear of another in use!
There's quite a large one of these in the Slate Museum in Llanberis N Wales ... along with quite a few other machines if the same era ,,
Indeed! It's a Whitworth with two tables.
Very nice!
Just found your channel and subscribed. Nice machine.
Thank you!
Fascinating machine and a good finish to say it hasnt had a shakedown yet!! Has it a known maker?
Phil
Thanks Phil! It was made by Redman in Halifax c1900
@@iron_jonesy in the heart of the WestYorkshire machine tool industry, otherwise known as the Cleckhuddersfax Triangle!
I have a Covmac lathe which although badged by the Coventry machine tool company it was actually made as war work by P&C Garnett in Cleckheaton.
Good
😐🇬🇧🏴😐