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Question: I am debating whether to get a router with a nice table or a shaper. Actually, the prices for each set up are about even. I plan on doing everything from simple round overs to raised panels. What is your advice. Thanks


Answer: A shaper that is in the same price range as a router and table is not a serious shaper. It's somewhere between the two. It's overkill for a router table and falls short of a good shaper.
At the NYW we use a quality router in our Deluxe Router Station to do the same things you're planning to do, plus it has good storage. It's more than adequate for most of the router bits we use. Occasionally we use large diameter bits, the panel raising being the largest, for short runs of material being sure to always use the lowest router speed. If you are planning to do production work in the future buy a professional shaper, but from our experience you will also want to build a good router station, which you would probably end up using more than the shaper.