{"id":2105,"date":"2022-04-17T17:59:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T21:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2022-12-23T12:58:55","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T17:58:55","slug":"shaper-vs-router-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/","title":{"rendered":"Shaper vs Router Table: Which is Best for Your Wood Shop?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Both shapers and routers have their place in any serious woodshop, and they have a lot of overlap between them. They\u2019re both used to mill profiles into wood stock and can be used for similar jobs like cutting profiles indoors, trim, and cabinetry.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>There are major differences between the two, however.<\/p>\n<p>Shapers are significantly more powerful and can handle a heavier workload than router tables can. Routers, on the other hand, have functionality that shapers simply don\u2019t have. They can be removed from the router table and used freehand, and perform better than shapers when it comes to small diameter bits.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a closer look at the similarities and differences of the shaper vs the router table.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_61 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Jump To:<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65e21deb8e85e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65e21deb8e85e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Shapers\" title=\"Shapers\">Shapers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Router_Tables\" title=\"Router Tables\">Router Tables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Differences_between_Shapers_and_Router_Tables\" title=\"Differences between Shapers and Router Tables\">Differences between Shapers and Router Tables<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Bits_Cutters\" title=\"Bits &amp; Cutters \">Bits &amp; Cutters <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Speed\" title=\"Speed\">Speed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Power\" title=\"Power\">Power<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Reverse\" title=\"Reverse\">Reverse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Cost\" title=\"Cost\">Cost<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/#Noise\" title=\"Noise\">Noise<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shapers\"><\/span><strong>Shapers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wood shapers are heavy-duty wood milling tools with significantly more power and torque than routers have.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re powered by induction motors which provide low RPMs and high power. The motor utilizes a belt drive to rotate the spindle \u2013 which translates to consistent power with serious longevity.<\/p>\n<p>Shapers can be run for hours on end without overheating or damaging the motor. The same cannot be said for routers, which tend to overheat and fail when pushed to the limit.<\/p>\n<p>Shapers use cutters to cut profiles into wood stock, while routers use bits. Cutters can be significantly larger than router bits due to the torque generated by the high-powered motor. This means you\u2019ll be able to make cuts that would take 3 or 4 passes with a router table in a single pass.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Router_Tables\"><\/span><strong>Router Tables<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2109\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2109\" style=\"width: 390px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2109 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/router-under-table-e1650231105368.jpg?resize=400%2C444&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"router mounted under table\" width=\"400\" height=\"444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/router-under-table-e1650231105368.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/router-under-table-e1650231105368.jpg?resize=270%2C300&amp;ssl=1 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Plunge router mounted under table. [Image <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/simonov\/33760294515\/in\/album-72157662122582838\/\">source<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>Router tables are light-duty milling tools with less power but significantly higher RPMs than shapers. Higher RPMs mean the router bits rotate at a higher speed \u2013 which creates more vibration and makes more noise than a shaper does.<\/p>\n<p>Routers are powered by universal motors rather than induction motors. Essentially, this means they create high RPMs and relatively low power. They\u2019re also typically variable speed, so they can be adjusted within their RPM range.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike shapers, which are built to be a single woodworking unit, router tables combine a handheld router with an aftermarket router table to house it. Many also utilize a <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/best-router-lifts\/\">router lift kit<\/a> which allows you to make adjustments to the router from above instead of needing to reach below the table.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Differences_between_Shapers_and_Router_Tables\"><\/span><strong>Differences between Shapers and Router Tables<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bits_Cutters\"><\/span><strong>Bits &amp; Cutters <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most noticeable differences between a shaper vs a router table is the bits and cutters.<\/p>\n<p>Shapers are able to turn much larger cutters than routers are capable of, with 5-inch+ diameter cutters readily available. More powerful routers are limited to bits of about 3-inches in diameter \u2013 and even those can be difficult for the router to handle.<\/p>\n<p>Cutters are significantly more expensive than router bits, however. They represent a fairly serious investment, and can easily run you in the hundreds of dollars for a quality 2-piece set.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that cuts are far more durable and long-lasting than router bits are. They\u2019ll last longer before they need sharpening, and are capable of cutting larger profiles much quicker than router bits.<\/p>\n<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that many shapers are capable of running router bits with the use of an adapter router collet. You\u2019ll still need to pay attention to the ideal RPM range, which means smaller router bits often won\u2019t work well on shapers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Speed\"><\/span><strong>Speed<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Another notable difference between routers and shapers is the speed the spindle rotates at. Routers have higher RPMs than shapers, making them ideal for smaller-sized bits.<\/p>\n<p>Shapers typically have two speeds they can turn the spindle, a low speed of about 7,000 RPMs, and a high speed of about 10,000 RPMs. Compare that to routers which are variable speed, which means they can be adjusted to any speed in their speed range.<\/p>\n<p>Router RPMs vary from one model to another, but the lower end they offer is about 8,000 to 10,000, while the high end is about 25,000 to 35,000.<\/p>\n<p>This means routers offer more versatility when it comes to fine-tuning the spindle speed, and are better suited to smaller diameter bits.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Power\"><\/span><strong>Power<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shaper motors are significantly more powerful than router motors are, and are suited to prolong heavy-duty use. Shapers are commonly found with motors between 1 horsepower and 7 \u00bd horsepower, with <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/best-3hp-shapers\/\">3hp shapers<\/a> offering a nice balance between power, cost, and overall size.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2114\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2114\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2114 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/wood-shaper.jpg?resize=800%2C533&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"wood shaper work table \" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/wood-shaper.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/wood-shaper.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/wood-shaper.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2114\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shaper work table, fence, and miter gauge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Routers, on the other hand, have less powerful motors, with smaller <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/best-router-for-door-hinges\/\">trim routers<\/a> being about 1 \u00bc horsepower, while full-size routers are about 2 to 3 horsepower.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reverse\"><\/span><strong>Reverse<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A nice feature unique to shapers is the ability to run the spindle in reverse. You might be wondering why you would want to do this, and the reason is that it allows you to make cuts with the grain of the workpiece rather than against it.<\/p>\n<p>Not all shapers have this feature, but many do, and setting up the shaper to work in reverse is a fairly straightforward process. Simply remove the cutter and flip it over on the spindle, then press the revere button and you\u2019re ready to run the cutter in reverse.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost\"><\/span><strong>Cost<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you\u2019re measuring the cost of a router table vs a shaper, there are a few things to consider.<\/p>\n<p>Router tables consist of several different components, which are often purchased piecemeal as you develop your woodworking skills. Shapers, on the other hand, are standalone units that need to bought outright.<\/p>\n<p>A router table consists of a <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/trim-router-vs-plunge-router\/\">plunge router<\/a>, a router table to mount it to, and often a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Kreg-PRS5000-Precision-Router-Lift\/dp\/B079YY98N1?&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=homeimprovementscout-20&amp;linkId=ed24d2ff344fbe4efc6cfe6bb55f6f96&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lift system<\/a> that enables you to adjust the router from above. Additional fences and jigs are also commonly added on later on, as more functionality becomes necessary.<\/p>\n<p>If you look at the cost of all these items for a decent mid-range router table, you\u2019re looking at $200-$300 for the router, $200 for a router table, $275-$350 for a lift, and maybe $100-$200 for aftermarket fences and a <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/best-table-saw-miter-gauge\/\">miter gauge<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So all in all you\u2019re looking at $750 to $1000 for the entire router table setup.<\/p>\n<p>Contrast that with a shaper which will run you about $1000 for a smaller 1hp model, $2000-$3000 for a 3hp model, and $4,000-$5,000+ for a larger 7\u00bd hp model. Cutters also all up quickly in price, with quality models going for $75+ each.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Noise\"><\/span><strong>Noise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lastly, shapers are actually significantly quieter than router tables are. This may not matter if you have a dedicated woodshop, but if you\u2019re working in a basement or attached garage it can be an important consideration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Both shapers and routers have their place in any serious woodshop, and they have a lot of overlap between them. They\u2019re both used to mill profiles into wood stock and can be used for similar jobs like cutting profiles indoors, trim, and cabinetry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shaper vs Router Table: Which is Best for Your Wood Shop? - Home Improvement Scout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Both shapers and routers have their place in any serious woodshop, and they have a lot of overlap between them. They\u2019re both used to mill profiles into wood stock and can be used for similar jobs like cutting profiles indoors, trim, and cabinetry. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the similarities and differences of the shaper vs the router table.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shaper vs Router Table: Which is Best for Your Wood Shop? - Home Improvement Scout\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Both shapers and routers have their place in any serious woodshop, and they have a lot of overlap between them. They\u2019re both used to mill profiles into wood stock and can be used for similar jobs like cutting profiles indoors, trim, and cabinetry. 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Let\u2019s take a closer look at the similarities and differences of the shaper vs the router table.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/shaper-vs-router-table\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Shaper vs Router Table: Which is Best for Your Wood Shop? - Home Improvement Scout","og_description":"Both shapers and routers have their place in any serious woodshop, and they have a lot of overlap between them. They\u2019re both used to mill profiles into wood stock and can be used for similar jobs like cutting profiles indoors, trim, and cabinetry. 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Made Easy","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/#organization","name":"Home Improvement Scout","url":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/cropped-logo_medium_resolution-1.png?fit=1094%2C146&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/cropped-logo_medium_resolution-1.png?fit=1094%2C146&ssl=1","width":1094,"height":146,"caption":"Home Improvement Scout"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a83f2c6b10f97bd361a10c350fb7edb5","name":"Denis Gardner","description":"I've loved tinkering and fixing things for as long as I can remember. 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These versatile tools are perhaps the most useful tool in a worker's lineup after basic saws and a power drill\/driver. 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A router gives you the ability to remove the precise amount of material necessary to install the door hinges and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tools&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tools","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/category\/tools\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"best router for door hinges","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/best-router-for-door-hinges.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/best-router-for-door-hinges.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/best-router-for-door-hinges.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/best-router-for-door-hinges.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2499,"url":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/best-router-lifts\/","url_meta":{"origin":2105,"position":3},"title":"Best Router Lifts: Step Up Your Woodworking Game!","author":"Denis Gardner","date":"August 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A router lift is one of those little add-ons that can greatly enhance your router setup \u2013 turning any old bench into a router table. 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