Delta 43-437 D EditionDuty Shaper

I was very disappointed with the JWS-22CS from the beginning but to speak fairly, I was expecting too much for the price range of the machine. I have discovered no significant quality issues with the Delta shaper. I set it up in about an hour and everything worked right the first time. The fence is the best I have ever used. It is accurate and easy to move and adjust. I must admit that with all of the safety guards and shields included with the fence in place it is very difficult to use the machine and I removed most of them. The machine has excellent power and runs very smooth and quiet. With dust collector connected and the canopy adjusted properly virtually no chips escape being collected. It is easy to make adjustments, change cutters, and change spindles. The mobile base precisely fits the machine and is adequately built to easily handle the weight of the machine.

I am digging very deep to find anything negative to say about this machine but here goes: For the price of the machine I think the 1/2 inch spindle accessory should have been included and the table extension surfaces are not finished to the same quality as the main table but the finish is satisfactory.

In summary, this is an excellent professional quality machine and would be a fine addition to any wood shop. I have several American made Delta machines and am extremely satisfied with all. If you are looking for a quality shaper at a fair price this machine is probably the best choice you could make.


Solid performer - a few set up issues   July 13, 2002
Dan Ruzek (St. Louis Park, MN USA)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

I am an amateur woodworker - handyman and have been looking for a router table for some time. I decided that a shaper would do everything that a router table could and then some. My tool buying philosophy is "buy it once, buy it right." This Delta shaper is exactly what I needed. It has the router bit spindle included - both 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets are supplied.

This is a solid, heavy piece of woodworking machinery. The fence assembly is cast iron, and the spindle adjustment has a heavy hand wheel that allows for extremely precise height control. With the exception of the fine adjustment dials on the fence, everything is overbuilt. (Yes!) It has plenty of power to spin up large cutters for panel raising and making rail and stile doors. It is very smooth, almost no vibration.

The fence and safety system take a little getting used to, but are quite effective. (Okay, I don't use all the safety shields because they sometimes get in the way.)

I have only two complaints about this machine:

One of my extension wings is not perfectly straight. (Can't get that thing level with the main table to save my life!)

The overload switch on my machine was set wrong. It stopped working on the third use. All that was required was opening the power switch assembly and turning a screw - not a big deal fortunately.

Overall I am very happy with this machine and would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit more than a simple router table.

(Oh yeah, hope you are handy with electrical wiring because you will need a 240V outlet to run this beast.)


Awsome machine   March 21, 2002
Roxanne Shirey (Dickinson, TX United States)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

I've been using a 3hp router in my router table with some success for about 3 years now. The tooth fairy brought me this machine for my birthday, and I'm amazed at my new capabilities. The 3 horsepower motor has enough power to drive a 4" molding head, enabling me to make the 5000 feet of molding I needed for a remodeling project. While I was at it, I also made raised panel doors for custom cabinets in the same house. I have always been a Jet tools fan, but if this machine is any indication, I'm a convert.