My SB Shaper

[the_sandy_creek_forge]

Hey John.
Thanks for answering the questions. As for the die block I am guessing you mean what can be done with the particular shaper shown here. I haven't tried it (and probably will never have a need to) but I am almost sure my 14" Walcott would handle a 12" long die block with a little patience on the operators part.
I asked about the orientation, because when cutting die stock for my IrnSrgn style guillotine tool, I have the vise jaws parallel with the ram stroke. I've been cutting 10" of 3/4x3" HR die stock at one time (putting more or less a tenon on each edge), as I find taking a 10" stroke is easier (and faster) than cutting each 1" thick piece separately. I then just chop off however much I need for a particular die from this longer piece. Anyways, I was worried that running the vise oriented like that might be doing some harm to the machine I wasn't aware of. But with the total area of the 8"x2" jaw bearing down on the workpiece, I think I have enough of a grip to prevent much .

Thanks,
-Aaron @ the SCF

[aametalmaster]

Originally Posted by John N

hey bob - I would class that more as machine shop work !
The orientation of the vice is usually set so the work cannot be pushed through the jaws (ie the cutting load should be into the jaw).

Hi John, Yes the metal should push against the jaw when cutting to save it from sliding out. And yes it is more machine shop work that is alot of what i do when i am not welding or bending metal. In the winter i work out of my basement that is where all my machines are because it warm down there with my boiler heat where my shop is cold right now because i have the heat off, my gas bill is high enough. You just need more practice making big pcs into small pcs. I had a shaper that would cut 1" deep on a pass but you would have to slow the feed way down. I know my little guy won't do that but it will do what i need done...Bob