Almost a year ago I bought an Erdmann shaper (350mm/14"). I haven't had time to use it more than for a couple of small jobs. Finally today I had time to play with it. First observation (something I have noticed obviously earlier) that there is quite a lot of vice lift. With a piece on the top half of the jaws I measured 0.25mm (0.01") lift. With the Vertex I have on my drill press, I get maybe one tenth of that. So I guess I need to get a new swivel base vice. Until that I'll switch the Vertex on Shaper.
Another problem is that the shaper table sags. Initially I measured 0.2mm (0.008")sag over table length. I took the cube off and noticed that the bottom way is somewhat worn as is the corresponding table slide part. I deburred the cube and table slide surface and put it together. I was able to get the sag to 0.06mm (0.0024")but there I already played a bit with cube. If I would like to get even better what would the best option for that (scraping the ways is not on option)? Shim the cube? There is no table support on this shaper.
Third problem is that one of the previous owners has broken the end of the cross feed screw. Where there should be two nuts is now one nut. A set screw has been added to that nut in order to lock the nut but it doesn't really work. This results in that the autofeed doesn't work in other direction as the ratchet makes the screw just go back and forth. Any ideas how to fix this? Maybe I need to drill a hole for the set screw.
Another problem is that the shaper table sags. Initially I measured 0.2mm (0.008")sag over table length. I took the cube off and noticed that the bottom way is somewhat worn as is the corresponding table slide part. I deburred the cube and table slide surface and put it together. I was able to get the sag to 0.06mm (0.0024")but there I already played a bit with cube. If I would like to get even better what would the best option for that (scraping the ways is not on option)? Shim the cube? There is no table support on this shaper.
Third problem is that one of the previous owners has broken the end of the cross feed screw. Where there should be two nuts is now one nut. A set screw has been added to that nut in order to lock the nut but it doesn't really work. This results in that the autofeed doesn't work in other direction as the ratchet makes the screw just go back and forth. Any ideas how to fix this? Maybe I need to drill a hole for the set screw.