Reviewer: Gerald D.

Overall I would recommend this video. I have a shaper and sometimes a "picture is worth more than a thousand words". Rudy really takes the time to explain what he is doing, sometimes too long. That's why you have a fast forward button. I learned quite a few new processes on how to better utilize my shaper. Rudy does a great job but this video isn't quite as professionally filmed as you might be used to in this multimedia age. I can live with the short coming and will order some more of Rudy’s video on other subject to fill in my machining info gaps. Jerry

Reviewer: James K.

Have you picked up a shaper for you're home shop and have no idea what to do with it? This video is for you. Rudy starts with basic safety and a general introduction to running shapers. He then moves on to the projects where you learn the skills to do 99% of the work you would ever want to do with a shaper. A great piece of work for the shaper fan.

Reviewer: William S.

This instructional dvd is just the thing if you have a shaper, but don't know what to make on it. This dvd show you how to make six practical projects that can be used in your home machinist shop. Rudy will show you the tools, techniques, and the results of the finished projects. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a shaper or the desire to obtain a shaper.

Reviewer: Richard J.

This was a great video. I think it was better than most of Rudy's videos. It had some very good camera work. I'd recommend it to a new shaper owner.

Reviewer: Huston G.

Not much out there on Metal Shapers so this does help understand how to use them better.

Reviewer: Thomas D.

This is my favorite Rudy tape so far. Of course you need to like shapers. The six projects are useful and they demonstrate the capabilities of the tool. More action than most in this series.

Reviewer: Jonathan B.

Information on shapers and operation of shapers is pretty hard to come by. Lets see, theres old machining books and the internet (reader beware). They don't teach shaper in high schools or community colleges anymore, and most professional machine shops don't have one. Its uneconomical for production shops. Lets face it,shapers are just obsolete.

Except if you use one for your hobby machining. If its a hobby,you make the time, who cares if it is uneconomical in terms of production time, the tool bits are cheap. So, we shaper owners just have to be thankful that SOMEONE made an instructional video (2 actually) for this machine.

The video has better videography than most Kouhoupt videos, and pretty good camera angles so you can see whats going on. Rudy does a nice job explaining what he's doing. If you've seen other Rudy Kouhoupt videos, you know what to expect, but this one is a little better.

What I would have liked to see was more on the setups, indicating, and measuring as it relates to shaper work. Cutting to a line is pretty coarse, and while watching I was thinking of how I might use measuring tools or the micrometer dial collars to get finer results. I try to work to greater tolerances than 1/16", so tend to use measuring tools other than my steel ruler. Maybe thats as accurate as most shapers can do. Or, maybe I can combine this video with the old books and get more what I'm looking for.

So, I recommend this video to anyone who has or is thinking of getting a shaper. Theres really no other choice.

Reviewer: dale k.

Next best thing to having a teacher work with you. Watch an expert actually perform these operations and discuss in conversational style what he thinks is important. I am now convinced of the utility of a shaper and will be on the lookout for one or possibley try and make the Gingery machine.Rudy Kouhoupt was both a craftsman and a natural born teacher. Would you pay ten bucks to sit in a class by a master? You can tell he had thought out very carefully what he wanted to convey in the time available. Worth watching even if you never plan to use a shaper.

Reviewer: Gene B.

This was an interesting video for someone who has,or is interested in shapers. The discussion about tool geometry was helpful, as was the machine setup and the projects completed. There was also a suggested modification to a shaper clapper assembly which I plan to employ on my own machine.

Reviewer: Ramsay H.

An excellent video and an ideal followup to Rudy's basic video on the shaper.

Reviewer: Fred B.

I have used my 16" Hamilton Shaper for 30 years and learned several good ideas from this fine video. I recommend it to every one that has a shaper.