Clapper lock for slotting with a shaper

[threesixesinarow]

Long ago, my first gig often placed me at a heavy 24" G & E shaper. Mostly made Vee'd spot-welding jaws for wire. Whatever grade of copper, was tough and abrasive on HSS bits. We had two clappers, standard of course, the second one fitted with a die spring and restrained by a through bolt to base. It allowed tool retract on backstroke and snap into cutting position immediately. Base had 2 bearing balls in pockets. One insured clapper base was positioned fully to one side [even though minimal clearance] of the box. Other did same but front to back and not spring loaded mating first, then side to side action occurred. That 2nd clapper and box were shopmade who knows how long ago.

Thanks, Toolmaker51,

Those clappers may have weighed as much as my whole shaper! My locking screw is 8-32.

Still, I imagine the clearances are the same and I do use it for tough materials, so the arrangement you described will be just as useful and having now made the first extra hole it should be easier to add to mine.


On the other hand, I haven’t used this thing as much as I thought I would, at least on the shaper.