When you shape the edge of a board, you can make joints that don’t need screwing or nailing in place. The process depend on having a suitable tool to do it well. A typical choice among most shop owner would be a router since they are common and useful tools.
But there is a machine dedicated to heavy shaping that few woodworker seem aware of. That’s the case with the Powermatic PM2700 shaper. It is not the sexiest machine on the floor, it is not the most affordable one either.
However, it’s a serious tool for making precise profile and cuts on edges and joinery. To know if this machine fit into your shop, you can’t just read the spec sheet. You have to think about what it does when the pressure’s on.
Reviewing The Powermatic PM2700 Shaper Machine
Router vs. Shaper Performance
In this case, it’s not as much about how fast it can build up capacity but rather how well it hold its head on the material. The PM2700 has a heavy duty motor with a very solid cast iron base that holds vibrations down on deeper cuts. That is what you are paying extra money for by buying a shaper different than just getting a router.
When you push a router hard (especially on hardwood), they tends to chatter. A shaper will absorbs that vibration and make your cut smooth. Your surfaces come clean off the machine.
You will spend less time sanding later. If you care about finish quality, that is a tradeoff worth making. The true engineering genius comes into play here with ability to adjust the cutter height.
Precision Height Adjustment
On this model they uses a quill mechanism that allows you to raise and lower the bit in very small increments. Why does it matter? Setting a bearing flush to the fence are essential to getting repeatable results.
Off a fraction of a mm and your joint won’t fit. Powermatic designed this with a clear scale and a locking mechanism, it secures firmly without any movement as you feed the stock. This machine is also good at adjusting the fence.
Fence Stability and Safety
A lot of time spent using the shaper is moving the fence nearer or further away from the cutter. For a good solid fence system, the PM2700 have a parallel fence that locks into place very well. This give you no lateral movement while cutting, an important aspect for both accuracy and safety.
It’s also possible to tilt the fence for bevel cuts but it does take some additional set up time. Being able to quickly flip the fence over help make cuts in the opposite direction on the same piece. The safety features are also part of the design; they weren’t tacked on afterwards.
Design and Safety Features
The cutter guard is adjustable and remain out of the way when it’s time to get down to work. That’s a common complaint with older shaper models, the cutter guard block the view of the cut line. The power switch is conveniently located, the motor cranks over easy (even in cold shop conditions), and all of these little things contributes to a more confident working style.
Because everything works the way it should, you’re comfortabley with what you’re doing. For most hobbyists, the biggest obstacle to purchasing the PM2700 is price. While certainly not something purchased on impulse, it IS an investment.
Investment Value and ROI
It cost significantly more than a basic router or a lower end shaper, making it a significant purchase. But you’re getting what you pay for, so when it comes to precision and durability, lesser machines won’t do. Whether you’re making furnitures as a hobby or looking at contracting some work, being able to consistently get your work done with less wasted material will be a return on investment.
Making mistakes means losing money and this machine would of help you avoid those. The question is whether to invest in a stand-alone shaper. Does your work volume warrant one?
When to Buy a Standalone Shaper
You may not need one if you are just making basic shapes like straight cuts or simple curves. However, when it’s time for raised panels, complex profiles or accurate joinery, this is where the Powermatic PM2700 make a difference. It transforms what would be laborious shaping projects into manageable tasks.
With proper set-up and patience, it deliver outstanding results. No, it doesn’t perform miracles by itself. Like any power tool, it takes respect and skill to use it safely.
What it will do, however, when you learn to use it, is open up a new world of craftsmanship difficult to attain with other means. Your joints will fit snugly, your edges will be true and your work will speak for you. And that’s what it’s realy worth.