Project Description
This is a 1/6 scale fully functional shaper, a machine shop line shaft driven tool, circa about 1890, made by the late Al Osterman, father to the late renown miniature maker Daniel Osterman. This piece was made about 30 – 40 years ago. As with the previously listed 1/6 scale treadle lathe this piece most likely took Al over a year to make. The base measures 9 3/8″ X 8 1/4″ X 2 1/4″. The shaper stands about 8 1/4″ tall. This piece is just amazing! I don’t know anything about shapers, so I’ll let the photos tell the story. This could also be operated by hooking it up to a line shaft. There is a lever to engage the back gears so the lathe will feed automatically. The tool rest, steady rest, and tailpiece all work. The lathe is mostly machined steel construction, with the legs, base, and larger pieces painted in a black enamel. The balance of the steel parts are finished in the white. There are some brass pieces including bushings, & most of the bearing are babbet just like the original. The workmanship and attention to detail is just unreal, even the oak flooring is individual tongue & groove boards with oak wood pegs holding them in place! Al made a number of different machine shop/gun shop machines and hand tools over the years, including a different line shaft driven lathe, drill press, a different shaper, surface grinder, rifling machine, and more. This is the first one of these I’ve been able to offer for sale. Near mint condition & just beautiful, I’d call it 99+%. Stock # CK-226. Price: $4,500.00.
