Will a 3hp. router turn a bullnose bit using one and a eight inch old haed pine. Are should a 3hp. shapper be used. We bullnose the outer edge of the treads.
-Paul D.
Melville, LA
Amana stub spindle & cope cutter door system?
Our Expert
A 3HP router has the power to easily shape a bullnose profile on 1-1/8" stock. However, if you're making production runs a shaper would be a better option. In a production setting, the universal motor in a router will typically overheat and shut down when making numerous large cuts. However, shapers use an induction type motor which is better suited for large, heavy cuts over an extended period.
Regardless of which machine you choose keep in mind that the surface quality may suffer when making a heavy cut on dense, brittle stock such as old growth heart pine. I suggest that you experiment with two passes with the second pass being the lighter of the two.
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View our Bullnose Shaper Cutters