I recently acquired a Grizzly 1 1/2 hp shaper and I've been reading your book to get a grounding in the shaper and its safe use. One of the things I want to do is make some cabinet as well as house doors. I want to get a stub spindle but Grizzly doesn't offer one. I've looked online and asked at my local tool store but have had no luck. Is there a third party that makes generic stub spindles? Or would another company's fit? It seems to me that it just has to match the spindle's threads, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something.
-Anthony F.
Peekskill, NY
Our Expert
A stub spindle is used for making doors when a full-length tenon is desired. The stub spindle and cutter is used to cut the cope on the shoulder of the tenons. While the concept of a cope shaper cutter is unique the design has been around for many years and is commonly used in the sash and door industry.
Here's how it works: a standard shaper spindle uses an external thread to hold the cutter in place. However, a stub spindle uses and internal thread along with a cap screw. The cutters for a stub spindle are unique, too. The top of the cutter is counter bored to allow the spindle screw to be recessed. The design, while simple, allows woodworkers to cut a cope on doors which are constructed with a true mortise-and-tenon joint.
Historically, cope cutters have been used on tenon machines. Years ago Delta developed the stub spindle for use on their shapers. I'm not sure whether the Delta spindle fits other brands of machines.
