In The Shaper Book you talk about a stub spindle for doing full length tenons on cope & stick doors. I am drawing plans for a large book case with doors and would like to use this. However, powermatic does not make a stub spindle for the 25A shaper. Do you have any sketches or photos of this type of spindle so that I can provide a local machine shop with some details to make one, or do you have any other suggestions.
- Phil
Wakefield, MA
Our Expert
The stub spindle and cope cutter is a concept that has been around for quite some time. Typically shaper spindles are threaded externally and the cutters are secured with a nut. However, the stub spindle is threaded internally; the top of the cutter is counter-bored and secured with a cap screw. This design allows woodworkers to cope tenons of any length when making doors. Unfortunately shaper manufacturers no longer offer stub spindles for their machines.
The good news is that Amana Tool is now making stub spindles for the router. There are three sets available; one for cabinet doors, one for architectural entry doors, and a third set for constructing screen doors. These unique sets allow you to cope tenons of any length so that you can make doors with strong mortise-and-tenon construction.
