Rockford openside shaper on USS Alabama - photo

[Toolmaker51]

It was Rockford's business, name them however they care to, but most of us consider metal working 'shaper' to reciprocate a toolbit, not workpiece.
I used one just like it,for many years, 36" and 8 foot table, it was always the 'planer'.
We'd hang a Bridgeport head and swivel on it occasionally, to drill, fly cut or blend surfaces with form ground cutters.
I like planers; favorites were a forty foot 'Gray' and a Niles, neither were open-side. Varied between press brake dies, or straight molds for door gaskets. Much better then milling and consequent removal of circular tool marks.