I am now the proud owner of an Atlas 7B shaper.
for details see
#1 -- Is there any place still selling replacement parts?
#2 -- I need tool holders. The American style lathe tool holders will fit, but is the carbide style with 0 degree built in back rake or the regular w/ 15 degree (?) better for shaper use? No HD production shaping projected, just hobby/home use.
#3 -- How [well] does a lathe cut-off [parting off] tool holder work for a slotter? Enco has these on sale
Also the "correct" size holder [3/8 wide] takes a 3/32X5/8 blade, which are available, but for lathe work I have had better result with the parallel T shaped blades. The problem is that these don't seem to be available in the 3/32X5/8 size to fit the holder. Anyone used the H style blades in a shaper and if so is there enough difference in performance to bother with? Again production speed is not important, but ease of set up and use is.
The old shaper books show the use of "goose neck" tools. Armstrong still makes a "goo sneck" cut-off tool holder [83-213 @
165$US, wrench and one blade included] that will fit, but the price makes my socks roll up and down.I am also looking for both belts guards [left and right side], the left side "door," the 3/8 square drive "crank" for table setting, stroke adjustment, etc., the elusive Armstrong #39 multi position tool holder [or equivalent] and a small swivel shaper vise.
If anyone has and uses the multi position tool holder, is it worth the effort/cost to locate, or will a left/right lathe tool holder work just about as well?
FWIW - I got the shaper from Ron Moore of Oklahoma City. If you are looking for an older machine, parts for an older machine, or tooling for an older machine, drop him an email. Nice person to do business with. snipped-for-privacy@mlogical.com FWIW -- he may be able to give Gunner a run for the money about who has the most "stuff."
Thanks for any leads, information or advise.
Unka' George [George McDuffee]
------------------------------------------- He that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils: for Time is the greatest innovator: and if Time, of course, alter things to the worse, and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall be the end?
Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English philosopher, essayist, statesman. Essays, "Of Innovations" (1597-1625).