08-22-2012, 03:26 PM
I've even seen a shaper used to cut helical flutes on tapered reamer blanks, and I'm sure the method could be adapted to helical mitre gears, But still the modern misconception is that shapers only do flat surfaces, which is a massive waste of machining capability.
A shaper can do almost anything a Mill can with the exception of drilling holes I suppose, and it can usually do it with far cheaper tooling, but as the skills are mostly lost you need to use some imagination. the helical jig used a rack on the ram turning a vertical shaft down to the table and connected to the dividing head drive through a set of change gears, using a three section form tool the "Gash/Gullet", Clearance and lands were all cut in the one setup, after hardening only the lands needed grinding. It was an inspired process to watch, A true work of the toolsetters art.
Regards
Rick
A shaper can do almost anything a Mill can with the exception of drilling holes I suppose, and it can usually do it with far cheaper tooling, but as the skills are mostly lost you need to use some imagination. the helical jig used a rack on the ram turning a vertical shaft down to the table and connected to the dividing head drive through a set of change gears, using a three section form tool the "Gash/Gullet", Clearance and lands were all cut in the one setup, after hardening only the lands needed grinding. It was an inspired process to watch, A true work of the toolsetters art.
Regards
Rick
Whatever it is, do it today, Tomorrow may not be an option and regret outlasts fatigue.