- Joined
- Jul 17, 2017
- Messages
- 71
Greetings brethren.
I have a new tool, and so much to learn about it.
A 1972 G&E 16" Universal... I don't know enough about it to know which of the models (industrial, tool room... ?) The tag on the electrics says "STD SHAPER" but my reading on the topic leads me to believe that this means it is a crank model, not hydraulic or gear.
I had my hands on a shaper back when I was in high school, but it was not a machine that I learned at the time.
I have not put power to it yet because I am planning on a complete inner rebuild of my workshop, including rewiring, insulation, heat and better lighting.
I had expected to get familiar with the controls before then though, but I am scratching my head on a few things.
Comparing the two images, you can see that mine has what appears to be an auto-feed on the toolhead, but I don't see how it is actuated. It does not show up on the example image in the closest manual that I can find.
There is also an unlabeled square-drive right behind the toolhead, and I am guessing that it is for rotating the head. I don't see how to unlock the head though, and when I put the square-drive handle on and turned it, it turned almost free. If I were to go only by feel, it seems like something is stripped out, but this thing is built so beefy that I have a tough time thinking that is real. I can't quite see up there, and thinking about buying a borescope or one of those cameras on a flex shaft to see inside there with my cell phone.
The other funky thing that kind of has me wondering - the stroke indicator is on a ring around the "stroke length control" in the diagram... But the funny thing is that the numbers are upside down and on the bottom of the control, not likely the factory condition.
The Ram Lock is the square-drive on top of the ram and furthest aft... and seems to have a 90 degree movement between locked and unlocked.
When it is in what I believe is the unlocked position, turning the sq-drive marked "Ram Positioning Control" doesn't move the ram... Any suggestions as to what is going on?
The table has a support in the front due to its weight- The support keeps it from sagging and adding a few thousandths to the error I suppose. The machine has rapid traverse L&R, but also up and down. Seems odd... Does the table and vise need to be re-zeroed after every up or down movement?
I will be grateful for any experience and knowledge that you'll share... Thank you kindly.
I have a new tool, and so much to learn about it.
A 1972 G&E 16" Universal... I don't know enough about it to know which of the models (industrial, tool room... ?) The tag on the electrics says "STD SHAPER" but my reading on the topic leads me to believe that this means it is a crank model, not hydraulic or gear.
I had my hands on a shaper back when I was in high school, but it was not a machine that I learned at the time.
I have not put power to it yet because I am planning on a complete inner rebuild of my workshop, including rewiring, insulation, heat and better lighting.
I had expected to get familiar with the controls before then though, but I am scratching my head on a few things.
Comparing the two images, you can see that mine has what appears to be an auto-feed on the toolhead, but I don't see how it is actuated. It does not show up on the example image in the closest manual that I can find.
There is also an unlabeled square-drive right behind the toolhead, and I am guessing that it is for rotating the head. I don't see how to unlock the head though, and when I put the square-drive handle on and turned it, it turned almost free. If I were to go only by feel, it seems like something is stripped out, but this thing is built so beefy that I have a tough time thinking that is real. I can't quite see up there, and thinking about buying a borescope or one of those cameras on a flex shaft to see inside there with my cell phone.
The other funky thing that kind of has me wondering - the stroke indicator is on a ring around the "stroke length control" in the diagram... But the funny thing is that the numbers are upside down and on the bottom of the control, not likely the factory condition.
The Ram Lock is the square-drive on top of the ram and furthest aft... and seems to have a 90 degree movement between locked and unlocked.
When it is in what I believe is the unlocked position, turning the sq-drive marked "Ram Positioning Control" doesn't move the ram... Any suggestions as to what is going on?
The table has a support in the front due to its weight- The support keeps it from sagging and adding a few thousandths to the error I suppose. The machine has rapid traverse L&R, but also up and down. Seems odd... Does the table and vise need to be re-zeroed after every up or down movement?
I will be grateful for any experience and knowledge that you'll share... Thank you kindly.