DELTA SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper

by Delta

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Raised panels, here you come. And you'll never have to buy another piece of molding again. The Shopmaster SH100's powerful 9 amp ball bearing induction motor will run 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch bits at 12,500 rpm through any stock you feed it. It comes with a two-piece fence, and the halves are independently adjustable, so you'll get precise depth of cut and ample support post-cut. The clear blade guard does double duty, keeping chips and dust away from your face and helping the dust chute pull out the waste. We particularly like the spindle control knob and its height indicator scale, which make adjustments easier. The lock knob securely holds your settings, and the 3-3/4-inch insert opening will take even the beefiest bit. The 18-by-20-inch die-cast aluminum table offers great work support and has a slot opening for accessory holding devices. Finally, the power switch has a removable lockout key, so little fingers won't be able to turn on the shaper when you're not there. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Delta SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 24 x 23 x 15 inches ; 61 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 61 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00006K00P
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: SH100
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,486 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Look Again, October 4, 2003

By 

"kwgeorge4" (Alvin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper (Tools & Home Improvement)

I had been struggling with the idea of buying a router table for some time now. I have a cheap one (if you consider $100 as cheap) that a router must be mounted in. I hate having to play contortionist to adjust the router and change bits. The Delta SH100 seemed to be the answer to my problems! I found it a remarkable value and it is actually cheaper than a good table and router combination. I fought this decision for weeks as the machine has such bad reviews on the Internet but since they are always from the same two people no matter what site I went to and while playing with the shaper at a home center the other day I could not find the adjustment problems they speak of, I decided to buy it. I am so glad I did! It works great! It is a bit harder to adjust one way than the other but that is due to the springs tension but other than that it is very smooth in travel in both directions, the weight of the machine helps very much in its stability, it locks well and the table did not mar the wood even the softest pine. I had no issues at all with feather board attachments. The fence is very solid when tightened snugly and very easy to adjust. I ran several test pieces of Poplar, Oak and Pine with no issues at all. Perhaps my experience is different as the machine has been updated and the reviews are based on the Model 43-505 that has been replaced with the SH100 which is what I purchased. I also used the best Carbide ½" shank bits I could afford. All I can say is don't let this machines bad reviews stop you from purchasing a great machine, go check it out for yourself and decide. Following the instructions and using good bits may be the key here.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I do not know what the problem is?, January 11, 2004

By 

Remodeling in SoCal (Monrovia, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have been pleased overall with this shaper for the price. My major complaints are the fence has no t-track or fine adjustment as is,and why can't the manuf. give you a real wrench instead of the poor quality stamped wrenches. I already have cracked one, which Delta replaced. I use a real wrench now and want to change the fense some day.For now I add another face to it.
The height adj. will not be accurate if you lower it to final height but the manual says to raise it to final height and then is no problem with the lock down. Sometimes it pays to read it.
As far as height length of the bit,my unit will allow the spindle to extend beyond the top?
If you wax the top you will not have any marking, or spray a coat of clear poly on it. Woodworkers are in the habit of waxing and polishing metal tops all the time.
The collets self release, but 99% of the time I use 1/2" shanks. Do you want to use a 1/4' shank on a shaper unless you have no choice? I have no problem with the 1/4' sticking on the rare occasion that I have to use it. I avoid 1/4 shanks if at all possible. As with all self releasing collets, you have to continue to turn the nut to get to the self release feature. Over insertion on any collet can cause problems too. That is a universal problem. Also as mentioned, quality router bit can also make a huge difference.
I have no run out, the inserts line up, and there is good dust collection and I am not sucking dust into my router as most will when upside down. I can use it at job site too even though it is heavy, but that is a plus for stability and lack of vibration.
It is not a $1000 shaper, maybe others thought it would perform like one. If you want that type of performance spend the money.
I have milled almost a thousand feet with this unit and would buy it again.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is NOT a bad machine., September 28, 2004

By 

Borsig - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper (Tools & Home Improvement)

Beleive me Ive seen much worse. Other than my miter saw, its the only tool in my shop with an aluminum top. The height adjustment is somewhat tedious, but not useless. Its not a micro prescision deal by far.

As to the reviewer complaining that it didnt come with a miter gauge... Why on earth do you need a miter gauge on a shaper table? The Miter Slot is for a featherboard, like the bench dog with slot adapter, not a miter gauge.

Ive raised panels, and done many things with this. Anyone who uses 1/4 bits in it is making a mistake. Why would you? Use 1/2 Bits in this machine. Raising panels is not a problem, and mine hasnt bogged down. Rememebr the one pass per 1/2" of bit diamater rule. The speed is a bit slow for smaller bits but it works.

As to the fence, Buy a $15 Incra t track, make an aux fence 1/2" thick and notched for the bit. This makes the fence a 1piece easy to adjust deal, and adds a place for two track mount featherboards.

I got this one for a steal at $129 on clearance at lowes and I really like this machine.

Will it perfrom like a 3 HP router and precision table with micro adjustment? No. Will it perfrom like an X5 shaper? No. Does it do the job? Absolutely.