Is the Joe Porper Big shaver worth buying?

Enigmaticul

Enigmaticul

Banned
I can't seem to find a nice credible review on the device. Interested in purchasing it but reticent.
Can some one elaborate on the tool or their impression of it of they ever used it.
 
Before I bought my lathe,that is what I used to do tips. I still have and used it to do tips manually for about 3 yrs. It works well, just takes time to shave the tip down,but we all gotta start somewhere.


Joe
 
I have owned one at the beginning, about 18 years ago, and I feel If you have a lathe,...which you did at one point, If I remember correctly you had built one.... and was planning on building a CNC one, the porper big shaper is a step backwards. it will work well, for a hand held method, but there is a learning curve and still, IMO, won't yield the results of a good lathe. Lathe is faster and much more accurate for every step of the way. Plus it is very possible to fck up a ferrule with this tool if your not 100% careful, and then without a lathe you can't fix it..
Just my experiences, and observations
Dave
 
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Plus it is very possible to fck up a ferrule with this tool if your not 100% careful, and then without a lathe you can't fix it..
Just my experiences, and observations
Dave[/QUOTE]

They can certainly be ferule scrapers that's for sure if you are not careful with them.
In saying that, if you know what you are doing they are a great tool to have when you are some where and don't have any access to a lathe.
I have seen a lot of hand tip work, and most you could not tell if it was done by hand or on a lathe.
 
I used one for years until I got my lathe. If you take your time, be very careful and keep the blade razor sharp you will get pretty good results. I always used to put some mylar tape around the ferule so the thickness adjustment screw wouldn't mark it. The key to using the shaver is take your time.
 
I am in Jax for a internship and I had to sells lathe to sponsor the internship. I changed all tips before I sold it but now I here and I want to change se tips plus I found that not many people change tips here. Only a few and even few well so I just decided to do it myself. I got good results manually but it's not perfect and I am so used to my ex lathe. It was a idea any way.


Thanks for the kind answers.
 
NO! This tool is not the answer for you. A lot of damage can be done in a hurry. The tool itself is not rugged - easily damaged.
 
afftonbilliards said:
NO! This tool is not the answer for you. A lot of damage can be done in a hurry. The tool itself is not rugged - easily damaged.
Click to expand...


Sorry I disagree, I used one for years, it is not a substitute for a lathe...agreed, but if you are very careful, and I DO MEAN careful, take your time, you can get pretty good results. The key for me was as follows:

1: Keep the blade razor sharp, I used a diamond dust honing surface to do that.
2: Protect your ferule and shaft with mylar (Or similar) tape
3: TAKE YOUR TIME.....I cannot stress that enough.

If you take these steps, and are patient...you can get pretty good results.


Its not a lathe...but if you cant have access to one, with some practice and patience, you can do the job.
 
It's a well constructed tool that is easy to use once you get the hang of it. As others have posted take yoor time and pay close attention.

Worth the purchase price


:cool:
 
Regarding the purchase price...if someone wants one I have a brand new one that I got in a trade that I will never use since I have a lathe. First $50 gets it...half of what they sell for online and I'll ship it free. Call Robert 714-290-3130
 
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