Safety Devices
The shaper is considered by many to be the most dangerous machine in the shop; however, several devices are used to mitigate the risk. The first is a plastic guard supplied with the shaper that sits above the cutter. It has a bearing in the center of it which allows it to spin freely and serves to limit inadvertent contact by human hands with the cutter.
Jigs and fixtures are also a big help in reducing injury, and generally result in better cuts. A very small device, but important one is the starter pin, or fulcrum pin supplied with the machines. This is simply a metal rod, threaded on one end which screws into a hole located a few inches away from the cutter. Holding the work piece against the starter pin, and then feeding it into the cutter is the proper way to start a freehand cut.
Probably the best and also most expensive safety device would be a power feeder. While these were probably not designed as a safety feature they keep hands far from the cutters, and will hold both down the work piece and press it against the fence with a great deal of force. The feeder will also control the speed at which the board is fed past the cutter. Both of these details are critical to nice smooth, burn-free shaping. These power feeders are generally three or four-wheeled, and are capable of at least two speeds. The speed change is made by changing metal drive gears within the power head. The wheels themselves are usually a semi-soft rubber or similar material which prevents them from slipping.
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