How to Make Moulding With a Shaper

You can make traditional or custom moulding with a shaper.

Making moulding with a shaper is one overlooked function of this versatile machine. With proper set-up, the shaper is capable of producing straight line moulding just like expensive five-head moulders. By running wide boards through for safety and then ripping the moulding off with a table saw, you can copy almost any popular molding. Add variety by combining shaper cutters to create custom profiles.

Things You'll Need

• Profile head for shaper
• Poplar, 1 1/4-by-6-by-72 inches
• Shaper fence
• 2 hand clamps

Instructions

1. Switch off the power to the shaper. Install the moulding profile cutting head on the shaper. Lay the poplar on the shaper table and slide it over against the knife. Raise or lower the knife to center the profile of the knife on the poplar.

2. Lay the fence on the shaper table, centering the knife recess over the hole. Center the fence over the knife so that the edge of the fence is directly above the center axle of the knife. Clamp the fence down with two hand clamps.

3. Turn on the shaper. Holding the moulding against the fence, gradually push it into the knife. As the knife begins to cut into the wood, continue pushing with one hand as you hold the poplar against the fence with the other hand, letting it slip through your fingers as you apply pressure. Continue pushing until you have pushed the poplar all the way through and out the other side. Shut off the shaper.

4. Set the table saw fence at 3/4 inch from the blade. Raise the blade to 1 and 1/2-inch height.

5. Set the poplar on the table saw with the profile facing the fence. Turn on the saw. Hold the poplar against the fence with one hand and push the poplar along the fence, cutting the profile off the poplar.

6. Run the poplar through the shaper again and cut off consecutive pieces until the poplar is about 3 inches in width.

Tips & Warnings

• The dimensions here are for example only. Smaller moulding, such as bead, can be made with 3/4 moulding. Larger moulding may need to be run from laminated stock for extra width. If you don't have a shaper fence, make one out of 1 1/2-by-4-by-48 inch laminated stock. Cut a recess out where the knife comes out of the shaper table. It's not a good idea to continue running moulding when the poplar is less than 3 inches in width as it puts the operator's hands too close to the knife. Start out with a short run, and adjust your fence and knife height if necessary.

• Always be aware and stay alert when running shapers and table saws. Always wear safety glasses.

References

• Jim Nevins Woodworking: Jobs a Shaper Does Best