Customer Reviews

DELTA SH100 Shopmaster Bench Top Router/Shaper

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Today I recieved my new sh100 Delta/shaper. Took me an hour to put it together. Everything looked good. Has a lot of rough edges on the aluminum table. I took care of this problem with a sheet of 150 grit sandpaper and some paste wax and five minutes of sanding the top. No more rough edges. This is no longer a problem. I must confess this isn't my first Delta shaper. I have the older model and use it a lot. Made a lot of furniture with this very inexpensive machine. I use it more than my Grizzly 3 horsepower and Delta 3 horse power shapers. Not saying it is better than either but I am saying it is easier to get this machine set up and running than the larger machines. This router shaper fits the niche between the larger and smaller machines and does a good job. When I make raised panel drawers I set the Grizzly up for cutting stiles. The big Delta for cutting panels and the router shaper for cutting rails. I use a guide on the sh100 delta when cutting ends on rails to cut out splintering. Works great. Even made a guide out of wood that works good on this machine.
my older Delta has been serving me for approximately 8 years now and while it isn't perfect it is a great machine for a little less than $250. If your not at least a little experienced in running this kind of machine, I can see that some of the features it has can be frustrating at times. Nothing about this machine should frighten you from buying it. In a short time u will be running it like a pro. One thing when u buy this machine. Don't expect to get a cadillac when spending enough money to buy a kiddie car. Ain't gonna happen. I see a lot of negative opinions about this router/shaper and for the life of me I can't understand some of the negativity. Buy one, study the book and u will be glad u did. Don't worry about not having enough power. In all my years with my machine I never bogged mine down once. If your afraid of it and push your wood too hard against the cutter u probably bog down. The induction motor on this machine is really a plus. It runs nicely and never screams at you like a universal motor on a router will do. I could go on for hours and your only going to find out how good this machine is by buying your own and learning to use it properly. I always figure any machine I buy is able to perform much better than my ability to run it is. Untill I conquer the learning curve. Thanks woodworkers. Mitch

ASSEMBLY: Assembly was straightforwoard and took less than 30 minutes.

SETUP: Table alignment was acceptable out of the box.

PROs and CONs: I purchased this tool for use as a router table rather than a shaper, and it seems satisfactory for this purpose. However, the overhead blade guard did not fit in the hole provided in the table, nor did the replacement Delta sent me. The usable vertical spindle movement is only about 1-1/4 inches, limiting the use of longer bits. Finally, the small size of the adjustment knob makes adjusting the bit height more of a task than it need be.

This has to be one of the worst tools ever made by Delta ... and I'm usually a big fan. The fit and finish are awful. The spindle doesn't line up with the hole in the table. It's a single speed, around 12500 rpm which is too slow for small diameter bits and too fast for a large panel raiser if you're cutting anything other than pine or mdf (You can't use a speed reducer with this motor, either). I bogged it down trying to take a finish cut with a large panel raiser.
The grooved metal table marked up every panel or board I've ever pushed across it and the spindle doesn't have enough travel to allow you to mount even a thin plywood top to protect your work.
To get started you're better off with a 1-1/2 hp (minimum) variable speed router with a 1/2" capacity chuck and a moderately priced router table ... until you can step it up a notch later.

This shaper is a great value and has unbelievable power to
spin larger diameter cutters. I have been using the shaper to cut
the profile for handle-less drawer and door fronts. The shaper
doesn't slow down a bit. I also am using the shaper to cut
"raised panel" doors and panels. With the 13000 rpm speed, make
sure only very sharp cutters and bits are used. I have been
cutting red and white oak hardwood. Delicate adjustments are
no problem.

I have owned the Delta Router / Shaper for several years now and have come to dislike the height adjustment. Every time that I need to make the slighest adjustment, the spindel will shift to the left when tigtned by the lock. This makes for repeatable, accurate cuts impossible. I have looked at other Delta router / shapers and they seem to do the same thing.
If any one has an answer for this problem, please let me know as I am about to junk this machine. I own many other Delta and Porter Cable tools that I am very satisfied with. I guess they all can't be perfect.

Thought I could save some money, but it's true - - you get what you pay for. Fence is pathetic!! Called Delta Customer Service for help in locating an after-market "quality" fence, and they just passed the buck. Spindle height adjustment is also very bad. Fine tuning is impossible. Overall - a total waste of money spent. I thought Delta was better then this. I sure was surprised!!

I bought this after I discovered a cheaply made table and add on router cost more. I've heard all kinds of complaints for adjusting the combo set-ups. I did not want to hassel with that. The Delta works real well. Table top is good. Fences are good quality but a little hard to adjust. I have only used 1/4" cutters (My local hardware does not have 1/2") and have trouble removing them. I'll order the 1/2" cutters. My main complaint is the depth adjustment. I had expected it to be more accurate. I'll have to work with it more and get used to it. Overall a very good machine for the money.