Tool Talk

Classic Power Tools => Classic Power Tools => Topic started by: fflintstone on December 04, 2012, 11:21:21 AM

Title: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: fflintstone on December 04, 2012, 11:21:21 AM
Well beyond the “homeowner” power tools level, I picked up this Atlas 7B shaper Sunday.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img7/6440/23505352.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img213/1151/73762405.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img20/1858/69668513.jpg)

Somewhat antiquated by a modern mill, it is better than not having a mill.
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: Branson on December 04, 2012, 05:32:54 PM
That's one beautiful piece of machinery!  Be nice to see it all gussied up with a new coat of paint.
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: anglesmith on December 04, 2012, 05:55:21 PM
Well beyond the homeowner power tools level, I picked up this Atlas 7B shaper Sunday.
Somewhat antiquated by a modern mill, it is better than not having a mill.
Certainly not needed for home maintenance, But there are a lot hobby machinists that would love to have one . It is not a fast production tool, but it can do things a mill can do without the need to buy expensive cutters!
Graeme
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: Batz on December 04, 2012, 06:09:51 PM
What a beautiful little shaper, I spend many of my days as an apprentice machinist operating them. You rarely see them these days, I did spot a couple in the junk yard of a power station I was doing some work for last year. I pointed them out to an apprentice I had working with me, he didn't know what they were.

Batz
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: anglesmith on December 04, 2012, 06:42:26 PM
Interesting Batz, I too spent some time on one during my apprentership and after! You only have to look at some of the metalworking forums to see how much of following they have amongst the home machinists, every size from 7 to 24 inch stroke. fflinstone, this an excellent machine, not difficult to learn to use ( lots of info about). It came with the vice which is often not the case and secondhand shaper vices are hard to find and can cost as much as a shaper without one!
Graeme
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: fflintstone on December 05, 2012, 07:01:58 AM
Interesting Batz, I too spent some time on one during my apprentership and after! You only have to look at some of the metalworking forums to see how much of following they have amongst the home machinists, every size from 7 to 24 inch stroke. fflinstone, this an excellent machine, not difficult to learn to use ( lots of info about). It came with the vice which is often not the case and secondhand shaper vices are hard to find and can cost as much as a shaper without one!
Graeme

Although I can probably find them, if you have some links to good information please post them.


a quick video but a beautiful machine

http://youtu.be/UZ9BSnZsznc
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: HeelSpur on December 05, 2012, 08:02:04 AM
I like that stand.
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 07, 2012, 09:55:42 PM
I like that stand.

Same here, one the things I love about old machines themselves is the acceseries an stands. They were built solid and made to last. Very sturdy stand were as today the stands you get are crap.
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: Batz on December 08, 2012, 01:20:06 AM
I remember if you didn't set the stops it was possible the whole top head and slide could end up on the shop floor. Rather embarrassing.
Title: Re: Atlas 7B shaper
Post by: packardv8 on January 15, 2013, 01:45:07 PM
An older machinist gave me a well-used Atlas 7B shaper.  He said, "These are great little machines.  You can make anything with them except money."

jack vines