TM 9-3418-200-14 & P
OPERATION
Certain rules are essential in setting up a job in the shaper. Whenever practical, move the cross rail up on the column so
that the surface to be machined is about two inches below the ram. With the tool held as short as is practical, and the
head centered in front of the ram, you will avoid excessive overhang and thus avoid undue stresses on all parts of the
head, tool post, and tool holder. The tool holder should be held as close to the vertical as possible whenever the cut
permits. If it becomes necessary to turn the tool holder to one side or the other the angle should therefore be as small as
possible.
The shaper tool is held in a tool holder, which in turn, is clamped in the tool post. The tool post is inserted in the clapper
block as shown in figures 30 and 31. The clapper block fits snugly against the sides and the back of the clapper box and
is held in place with a hinge pin. Thus the clapper block will not move perceptibly during the cutting stroke, but will lift
readily on the return stroke. This prevents the cutting edge of the tool from being broken on the return stroke. The clapper
box is attached to the tool-head which in turn is fastened to the front of the ram. The tool head travels vertically on
dovetailed ways and the entire unit may be swiveled 360 for cutting at any angle. The vertical travel of the head may be
locked at any point by means of a knurled screw (A, fig. 30). The swiveling of the head is regulated with a graduated scale
and is locked in any position by means of the square head lock-screw (B, fig. 30).
The position of the stroke is regulated and locked by means of the ram clamping handle (E, fig. 1). The length of the
stroke, which will be described later is adjusted by removing the cover plate on the side of the column shown in figure 2.
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