Cowell Hand Shaper

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi there does anyone have a copy of the parts diagram for the Cowells Hand Shaper ?

I am about to refurb one.

Thanks

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Manual

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

Hi Bob,haven’t got a parts diagram but I have a Cowells in good order so if you need pics or dimensions of specific parts let me know. Is yours the one that was sold recently on epay? Frank

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Frank thanks for the reply and the offer. I have just bought this after an add on this site. I have just finished stripping it ready for a clean and a repaint. I have taken a video of the strip and will use this for a rebuild. I will be putting a couple of videos on youtube when I have done. I will keep you in touch.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Bob,

Look forward to seeing resplendent in new colour. I had not twigged it was the Cowells version. Having just looked at Lathes.co.uk it has certainly got a few extra mods on it.

Have fun,

Colin

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Colin

Yes I thought it was an adept I was buying but this is even better. I might even add a motor to it, Once again thank you for all your help.

I will keep you informed. keep an eye here.

Bob

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

How are you measuring the thread tpi? Foot rule or thread gauges?

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi there i made a typing error Tpi is10 made a form tool and chased thread all ok now.

Thanks

Bob

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

The 1 and 0 are at opposite ends of the keyboard? I thought it might be ten, when only nine spaces were counted.🙂

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

I was asleep

Bob

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi All

Here are some pics of the shaper now. The cross feed return spring was broken so I have put an extrernal one on the right hand side of the machine. I still need to change the crossfeed leadscrew and nut . Then thoughts on motorizing the beast. Apart from the leadscew/nut this machine was built very well I have already cut a keyway with it. I am most chuffed with this buy.

and here are a couple of pics of my Piller tool and Versitile deviding head Of course to GHT's designs. I am just finishing the interior of the box.

 

 

Thanks for looking

Bob

Edited By Redpiperbob on 13/04/2020 09:46:20

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

Nice paint job,makes mine look very neglected.I’ve never seen the auto downfeed before,presumably a mod by a previous owner? Mine doesn’t have the ball handles on the pivot arm,just hex heads with oil holes. And there's an extra mechanism on the left side with a brown knob on it,what exactly does that do? Regards, Frank

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

Double post

Edited By Frank Gorse on 13/04/2020 16:37:03

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Frank Thanks for the comments. I use Hammerite paint it can hide a lot of things. The knob that you talk about hits the leaver you cansee sticking out in picture 3 this limits the travel of the cross slide. there are 3 positons on the arm of the brown knob I havent worked out the distances yet.

If youneed any other info please let me know only too glad to help.Thanks

Bob

[Allan Nielsen 1Participant @allannielsen1]

Is building the Cowell shaper possible without the use of a mill. I only have a lathe and pillar drill.

Are parts for the auto feed included in the kit?

Thanks.

Allan.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Welcome aboard , Allan

I think you would find it useful to look at this: **LINK**

http://www.lathes.co.uk/cowell-shaper/

MichaelG.

[David Davies 8Participant @daviddavies8]

Gents

An auto downfeed is described by Ian Bradley in his book 'The shaping machine'', published by MAP many years ago. Secondhand copies are around.

HTH

Dave

[David Davies 8Participant @daviddavies8]

I have just had a shock upon seeing the prices being asked for secondhand copies of the above book. Assuming Mytime Media holds the copyright of the book would it be viable to reprint?

Any comment Neil?

Dave

[IanTParticipant @iant]

I think if they look around David, folk here might find a copy of the Bradley book on one of the 'Shaper' sites.

It's an interesting read but the down-feed described is for an Atlas 7" machine and (to me at least) it is a bit cumbersome.

In terms of learning general Shaper use – I think the Delmar shaper courses are more detailed and much better for learning (powered) shaper use. They are also available online – in both 1944 and 1950 versions – being broadly the same but with scanning differences. Again available for download on the 'NEME's shaper site

Whilst obviously sharing many similarities – I do think of my two (hand and powered) shapers as being very different beasts in practical use. The hand shaper (Adept no 2) can make quite delicate cuts on even very small parts but I try to avoid any large 'volume' cutting with it. The Atlas 7" is the opposite and is often used to size and clean up stock before any detailed work begins. It can do accurate work but is certainly not 'delicate' in the same way a hand shaper can be.

Like your Cowells Bob!

Regards,

IanT

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi Ian

thank you for those kind words. I have used the machine a couple of times now and found it excellent.

I have a copy of the Delmar course and found it to be very instructive.

I also have a downloaded copy of the Bradley book. (I was not going to pay £147 for the printed version.)

Thanks

Bob

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I see what you mean about it looking like and Adept, except for the ram. Some close ups of the downfeed would be interesting and more on the brown lever when you figure it out. Especially views on whether it a mod worth doing on others when you have used it a bit. In a way an auto stop feature seems a bit pointless on a manual motor unless the operator is shaping in his sleep Maybe fit a bell to wake him up.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Bod,

You have made a very nice job of that refurb. I will show the pictures to my mate Tom whom you purchased the machine from. I'm sure he will be delighted.

Colin

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

I like the auto cross feed.

One day, I might try to fit something similar to my Adept No.2.

Should be an interesting project.

Howard

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi All

I have now some time on my hands now and I am thinking of a motor convertion for this shaper. Has any one any ideas on how to go about it. (I dont believe in reinventing the wheel). If someone has done this mod can you show some pics or drawings.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Bob,

You might get an idea or two from the articles in ME nos. 2963, 2965, 2967. According to the Perfecto shaper site, they describe motorising a Perfecto shaper, similar in design and layout to the Cowells/Adept ranges. The first article (only) is referenced here – under CONTENTS (2) . The rest of the site is quite interesting – if you have a penchant for hand operated shapers with a smattering of powered ones too. I offered some photos of my Perfecto to the site owner, but I never heard back from him.

John

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