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PERFECTO - RELATED LITERATURE

Perfecto Shaper

Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd of Leicester, England

Machine Number = 1357-2

Maybe the [-2] indicates a No2, Hand operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, with automatic cross feed

BOTTOM  HOME

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Here are some files, pictures and information that are related (or loosely related) to the Perfecto shaper.
I'll probably get in trouble for putting these up.
If you have any information to share I would be interested.

The lathes.co.uk website has good Perfecto information in the Archive

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[0] CONTENTS


1. History
2. Motorising a Perfecto - ME article 1958
3. Shaper books
4. Cutting gears using a Perfecto
5. Machine vice
6. Machine numbers
7. Machine badges
8. References for the Perfecto shaper, old adverts, Adept article, and other articles
9. Caldwell Industries in America
10. Perfecto invoice
11. Downfeed ratchet (not perfecto)

Pictures of Perfecto shapers (latest additions at the bottom of the page)
Shaper ... 23-02-10 New Zealand
Shaper ... 23-02-10 Chester
Shaper ... 09-03-10 Metal Shapers
Shaper ... 22-08-10 Usa
Shaper ... 14-12-10
Shaper ... 28-12-10
Shaper ... 25-02-11
Shaper ... 20-10-11 Barry
Shaper ... 01-02-12 Madmodder website
Shaper ... 05-02-12 Lockerbie
Shaper ... 12-03-12 Homeworkshop website
Shaper ... 30-03-12 Denbigh
Shaper ... 22-04-12 Brierley Hill
Shaper ... 22-04-12 Bristol
Shaper ... 27-06-12 Burntwood
Shaper ... 12-01-13 Kent
Shaper ... 01-08-12 Usa
Shaper ... 26-06-13 Gumtree website
Shaper ... 30-01-12 Usa
Shaper ... 26-06-13 PP Auctions
Shaper ... 10-07-13 Hmem website
Shaper ... 19-11-13 Warrington
Shaper ... 12-03-14 Lifton
Shaper ... 28-04-14 Swindon
Shaper ... 18-06-14 Oxford
Shaper ... 13-07-14 Bristol
Shaper ... 21-11-14 Stockport
Shaper ... 17-01-15 Chesterfield
Shaper ... 18-01-15 Nuneaton
Shaper ... 04-05-15 Photobucket
Shaper ... 04-05-15 Mytholmroyd
Shaper ... 08-10-15 Knebworth
Shaper ... 10-10-15 Swindon
Shaper ... 17-05-15 Chiddingly
Shaper ... 17-06-15 Lincoln
Shaper ... 20-11-15 Rochdale
Shaper ... 23-08-15 Skipton
Shaper ... 28-10-15 Preston
Shaper ... 18-11-15 Bishops Stortford
Shaper ... 28-11-15 Solihull
Shaper ... 28-11-15 Northallerton
Shaper ... 12-07-16 Hemel Hempstead
Shaper ... 31-07-20 Paul Lilley

 

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[1] HISTORY OF THE PERFECTO SHAPING MACHINE - some notes

These machines are older than I first thought.

In 1958, W.H.Perrett in his Perfecto article in the Model Engineer magazine No 2963 mentions 'A few years ago I bought from the Perfecto Engineering Company a set of partmachined castings of their 5 in. shaping machine.'
This tells me the Perfecto shapers have been around from at least 1956 and over the years they came ready made and also in kit form.

W.H.Perrett also states 'I quickly determined to install some sort of motor power. This, I might add, was before the Perfecto company produced a power edition.'
I get from this that the powered version did not exist around 1956 when the author bought his machine, and probably the powered version existed in 1958.

The lathes.co.uk website shows a Perfecto picture circa 1975. In this picture the cutting tool is held in the clapper by two bolts. The picture in the American article below shows the two bolt clapper. The picture in the ME No 2963 article of 1958 shows the Perfecto with the conventional slotted tool post. So, am I safe in assuming that models with the conventional slotted toolpost predate circa 1975? I wonder.

I came across the website 'who-remembers-me.com'. There was an entry for a Mr Kishor Patel who attended Perfecto Engineering (Leicester) during 1976-1977.

ukdata.com has the following information for the company:
Registered Office HORSEFAIR HOUSE, 3 HORSEFAIR STREET, LEICESTER, LE1 5BA, UNITED KINGDOM
Incorporation Date 14-08-1962

One of the adverts shown a bit further down this page gives the contact details of the Perfecto Engineering Company as 60 Stanley Street, Leicester. Telephone Leicester 20078. This advert may be from the 1960's, but that is just a guess.

The invoice, for Perfecto lathe bearings, shown a bit further down this page give the contact details of the Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd (machine tools) as Claymill Road, Barkby Road, Leicester. Telephone Leicester 768384. The invoice is dated 8th September 1976.


I have seen pictures of a set of Perfecto sales leaflets that have the contact details as Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd (machine tools), Claymill Road, Barkby Road, Leicester. Telephone Leicester 768384. The covering letter accompanying the leaflets is stamped 9th February 1981.


A very interesting set of pictures relating to correspondence between a gentleman (located in Ottowa) and the Perfecto Engineering company appeared on ebay in December 2014.
The gentleman from Canada wrote a letter to Perfecto and inquired about the 7 inch Hand Shaper. His letter was dated 21st March 1983 and was addressed to the Perfecto Engineering Company at Claymill Road, Barkby Road, Leicester. LE4 7JG.
He states that he had seen the 7 inch Hand Shaper listed in the 1982 copy of 'Model Engineers Plans' and was inquiring if the company still manufactured the Shaper.
Perfecto replied to his letter. Their letter, dated 7th April 1983, was headed as follows:-
PERFECTO MACHINE CO
FLEET ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
HOLBEACH
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE21 8LA

I gather that at some time after February 1981, the Perfecto company moved from Leicester to an industrial estate in Holbeach.
The Perfecto business did operate in Holbeach in 1983. The industrial estate is still there (as of 2014).
At some time, the 'Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd' ceased trading and a new company begain trading under the name 'Perfecto Machine Co'.
The gentleman wrote to the Leicester address that he saw in a 1982 magazine, so maybe Perfecto moved from Leicester sometime around 1982 to 1983. Of course this may be the wrong conclusion if the address in the 1982 article was outdated and incorrect.
The 1983 letter from Perfecto states that the company continues to manufacture the lathes and shaping machines and the machines are on a 4 week delivery schedule.
The second page of the 1983 letter from Perfecto was a price list, dated January 1983, with the following information:-
Hand Shaper 5 inch stroke = 265 pounds (plus 16 pounds carriage)
Hand Shaper 7 inch stroke = 295 pounds (plus 20 pounds carriage)
Motorised Shaper 5 inch stroke = 415 pounds (plus 16 pounds carriage)
Motorised Shaper 7 inch stroke = 459 pounds (plus 20 pounds carriage)
Machine Vice 3 inch = 39 pounds 95 pence (plus 3 pounds 50 pence carriage)


I read somewhere that the Leicester company that made the Perfecto went out of business in the early 90's. Whether that was 'Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd' or 'Perfecto Machine Co', I don't know.

lathes.co.uk mention the Perfecto is a copy of the Tom Senior shaper of 1935. I get from this that the Perfecto may have been born sometime after 1935.

The America article below shows that the Perfecto had 'gone global' by at least 1971.

There is a single mention of the Perfecto in an interesting article entitled 'Introduction to the Adept Lathe' by Andrew Webster 12 January 2008 a.webster@sympatico.ca. The material is now on the lathes.co.uk website somewhere in the Adept webpages.
Click here to download the original PDF
In the above article, the author mentions 'In 1953 the tiny Adept No. 1 hand shaper sold for £9.5s.0d. against £15.17s.6d. for the slightly larger Perfecto.'

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[2] MOTORISING A PERFECTO SHAPING MACHINE

There is a 3 part article about motorising a hand powered Perfecto in the Model Engineering magazine commencing March 1958.
The 3 articles appear in volume 118, in issue numbers 2963, 2965, 2967.

This is the article in issue 2963:
shaper-2963-1.pdf

Interestingly W.H Perrett mentions that he bought the unmachined casting from Perfecto around 1956.
The Perfecto Engineering Company kindly machined the ram and bed for him as it was beyond the capabilities of his 3 1/2 inch lathe.
After he had assembled and motorised the shaper he used it to to machine the actual work table itself, as it was supplied as a rough casting. I just love that.

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[3] SHAPER BOOKS

These PDF files contain references to the Perfecto.
I found these files on the neme-s.org site.

Hand powered shaping machines
Power driven shaping machines
Workholding in shapers

An article on the neme-s.org site by Kay Fisher gives the following information:
Perfect 5 inch: motor size = 1/4 HP
Perfect 7 inch: motor size = 1/3 HP

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[4] CUTTING GEARS IN A PERFECTO SHAPING MACHINE

Here are two articles on cutting gears in a Perfecto like shaper.

shaper-gear--cut-1-1a.pdf
shaper-gear--cut-1-2a.pdf

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[5] PERFECTO MACHINE VICE

Width of jaws = 3 inches
Depth of jaws = 1 and 3/8 inches
Opening of jaws = 2 inches
Base size = 7 inches by 4 inches
Weight = 11 pounds

This book picture of the Perfecto Machine Vice does not show any drilled mounting holes.

 

↓ This was in an auction listed as a Perfecto milling vice.

 

↓ Perfecto Vice.

 

↓ Perfecto Vice.
This vice is in an original condition with no holes drilled in the base.

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[6] MACHINE NUMBERS

The Cauldwell Industries catalog seems to have thrown some light on the machine numbers on the badges.
I am doing some guess work here, so this information may change as more pictures and machine badges are found

The numbers on the badges are of the form 'number/number' or 'number space number'. For example '820 / 5' or maybe '820 5'.
In this case I think the 820 is the serial number and the other digit refers to the type of machine i.e. Number 1, Number 2, Number 3 Number 4, Number 5.

Machine number badge /1
Shaper = No1
Hand operated
Stroke = 5 inch
No automatic cross feed

Machine number badge /2
Shaper = No2
Hand operated
Stroke = 5 inch
With automatic cross feed

Machine number badge /3
Shaper = No3
Power operated
Stroke = 5 inch
With automatic cross feed
No motor

Machine number badge /4
Shaper = No4
Hand operated
Stroke = 7 inch
With automatic cross feed

Machine number badge /5
Shaper = No5
Hand operated
Stroke = 7 inch
With automatic cross feed
No motor

 

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[7] MACHINE BADGES

The machine badges in these catalogue photos do not have the usual Machine Serial Number stamped on them.
Perhaps the early machine had these badges, and the machine serial numbers came later? Or was it the other way around?
Maybe the early kit machines had these badges?
There is a machine with this type of badge further down this page here

↓ 5 inch hand powered No1
The table has 6 plain slots.
Notice the dial on the vertical slide. On some models the dial is conical.




↓ 7 inch motorised No1
The table has T slots.

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[8] OTHER REFERENCES TO THE PERFECTO SHAPER

↓ This picture appeared in an auction for a hand operated shaper.

The article on the Adept shaper (see above) gives the price of a Perfecto (not sure what size) in 1953 as £15.17s.6d. The prices on this leaflet are £22.4s.0d, £30 and £35.2s.0d, so I conclude that the leaflet is later than 1953.
Also, W.H.Perrett leads me to believe (in the ME article of 1958, see above) that the powered version did not exist in 1956. This advert shows a power shaper, so I conclude the leaflet is later than 1956.

The Perfecto 3 inch machine vice costs £5, which was about a quarter of the price of the 5 inch stroke machine.

 

 

↓ I found this advert on Graces Guide. The notes on Graces Guide indicate this advert came from a copy of the Model Engineer magazine, 1950.

 

 

I found this text in an internet repository.

This article, and the 2 page American magazine article above, both indicate that the Perfecto shaper did not come with an instruction manual.

The url was "http://www.janellestudio.com/metal/metal_shaper_history_and_stories.txt"

The text was as follows:-

Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 08:46:45 -0000
From: volzmechatronicx~xxyahoo.com
Subject: Perfecto Shaper wuz: Re: Odd Shaper

Charlie--A number of this group's members have Perfecto shapers; I am one of the fortunate ones with a powered 5-inch model. You can see PIX of various Perfectos here in "photos" and in "photos" at our overflow site: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Metal_Shapers_Pix. When you're at the other site, be sure to go to "files" and download the 2 PDF files on cutting gears--they're at the bottom of the "files" listings. You should also check our archives here and search for keywords "gear cutting"; there has been quite a spirited and on-going discussion on cutting gears with shapers.

Although not common, there are a few Perfectos floating around in the USA. The only importer was Caldwell Industries of Luling, Texas, who have been defunct since the late '70's. I don't think that they ever sold many--they were too expensive back in the '70's when they were trying to sell them. Perfectos were made in 2 sizes--5-inch and 7- inch stroke--and in both manual and powered versions. Apparently, since you added a motor, you have one of the powered ones.

I know of no operators manuals extant for any of the Perfectos. It is such a simple machine, in all of its versions, that quite possibly there never were any manuals. The English site http://www.lathes.co.uk has an article concerning the Perfecto shaper in its "Archives". Also, in the sales literature that is offered there, is a packet of 20 pages of sales flyers that Perfecto printed concerning the various machines that they offered; this may possibly be of interest to you, but it is NOT any sort of user's manual.

Perfecto has been out of business for a number of years. It is unknown what became of their records or any other documentation at that time. There are no lists to interpret what the stamped letters & numbers, supposedly some sort of serialization code, on the individual ID tags mean so don't ask "When was my Perfecto made?". I don't know what the paint color is that they used either. Mine is a working tool and will be left as it is; the person who "wins" it at my estate sale can paint it any color that he so pleases--I won't care. If you intend to repaint and "beautify" your baby, I recommend that you take a chip of paint to a reputable paint store selling quality paint and have them match it for you.

The Perfecto is a manually lubed machine. The operator must keep it lubed before, DURING, and after operations. A quality waylube oil is recommended on everthing that moves although straight 30 SAE non- deterg will work fine, you just will have to use more as it will run off faster. Wallies chainsaw lube is 30 SAE and has the same "cling anti-runoff" additive, but it doesn't have the additive that improves "slickness". It also will work fine and is cheap. If you don't like oil on your floor, you will need to devise a pan of sorts to catch the drippings--and it WILL drip--all over.

If your interest is "how do I use a shaper?", there are numerous manuals and tutorials in both of our "files" sections--both "here" and "over there" at PIX. You just have to take the time to download them and then read them. I recommend that you download and save them to either your hard drive or to a ZIP disk--print out those that you wish to refer to again. Make sure to download especially the South Bend shaper operators manual--it has a lot of good poop in it.

It's time to go down now into my dungeon and pet my Perfecto, tuck it in for the nite (wee hours of the morn), snuff the candles...and go back upstairs to dream of sugar plums.

Art (Houston)

 

 

↓ These two leaflets appeared on ebay and sold for 11 pounds 67 pence.

They were described as:-
Leaflet one: Perfecto Shapers etc - 7 sheets, stapled in LH corner of different shaper models including vice and drilling machine. Each sheet illustrated.
Leaflet two: Cutter Grinder - 8 pages detailing 6 inch and 12 inch tool and cutter grinding machine. 13cmsx21cms

 

↓ These leaflets appeared on ebay.

 

The leaflets are dated 1981.

 

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[9] CALDWELL INDUSTRIES, LULING. USA

 

I understand Caldwell Industries supplied the Perfecto in America.

I have read that John Matlock was the owner of Caldwell Industries, and co designer of the Matlock-Collins clock (as seen in the catalogs below).

Caldwell Industries advertised in the Popular Science and Popular Mechanics American magazines.

 

↓This is a Caldwell Industries advert from 1969.

 

 

↓This is a Caldwell Industries advert from April 1970 (Popular Science).

 

 

↓Here is a short article/advert from 1971.

 

 

 

↓This is a Caldwell Industries advert from February 1972 (Popular Science).

 

 

↓Caldwell Industries 1974 catalog - 40 pages.

 

↓ This photograph has a reference to the Perfecto shapers and vice.
After the 1974 catalog was printed the prices changed. The yellow sheet gives the amended prices.

Page 22 #1 Shaper = $275
Page 22 #2 Shaper = $309
Page 22 #3 Shaper = $479
Page 22 #4 Shaper = $399
Page 22 #5 Shaper = $645
Page 23 Perfecto Vice = $69

Unfortunately, pages 22 and 23 were not photographed.

 

 

↓Caldwell Industries 1975 catalog - 33 pages.

 

↓Caldwell Industries 1976 catalog - 41 pages.

 

↓Caldwell Industries 1977 catalog - 57 pages.

 

↓Good news - I managed to get hold of a copy of the 1974 Craftsmanship Catalog - 40 pages plus the cover.

↓The Shaper Types - Page 22 of the Caldwell 1974 Craftsmanship Catalog:-

 

↓The Machine Vice - Page 23 of the Caldwell 1974 Craftsmanship Catalog:-

 

The text on page 22 is:-

PERFECT SHAPERS
A totally new concept in home machine tools. Here is a shaper designed to cost one tenth what you would normally expect. But note that all the functions available in the large machines are present. Just the thinking that went into the design is different. It is not just a toy. The bed is of ribbed box type construction.
All sliding members have gibs. The ram is operated by a machine cut rack and quadrant and has a full bearing in the saddle at all times. The tool holder swivels a full 360 degrees and can be locked in any position. Well made and a tremendous buy.
The PERFECTO power shapers have a simple yet rugged mechanism to move the ram. The 3 sheeve pulley enables the speed of the stroke to be varied. With a proper size driving pulley, 60, 70, or 80 strokes per minute is available. The length of the stroke is easy to adjust.
The automatic feed is shown at right (referring to the No3 shaper picture). The two adjustable stops move a ratchet to move the ram sideways 5 thousandths of an inch each stroke. The direction is reversable, and can be disconnected at any time. These pictures show how strongly these machines are made, and how simple.

 

The Perfecto shapers listed are:-

No 1 - Hand operated - Stroke = 5 inch - Ram length 10 inches
No 2 - Hand operated - Stroke = 5 inch - Ram length 10 inches - With automatic cross feed
No 3 - Power operated - Stroke = 5 inch - Ram length 10 inches - No motor supplied
No 4 - Hand operated - Stroke = 7 inch - Ram length 13 inches - With automatic cross feed
No 5 - Hand operated - Stroke = 7 inch - Ram length 13 inches - No motor supplied

The dimensions specified are:-

Bed length = 15 inches
Height = 12 inches
Table size = 6 inches x 6 inches Table vertical adjustment = 2 inches Cross travel = 9 inches Ram length - For 5 inch stroke = 10 inches Ram length - For 7 inch stroke = 13 inches

 

The text on page 23 is:-

PERFECT MACHINE VISE
This is a small machine vice designed for the smaller machine tools normally found in model engineering. Its main features are strength & accuracy. The totally enclosed operating screw (ACME thread) operates in a bronze nut. The sliding jaw works on long vee slides and has steel jaw plates. This vice is an excellent companion to our fine shapers, MYFORD lathe and any other tools.
The dimensions specified are:-

Width of jaws = 3 inches
Depth of jaws = 1 and 3/8 inches
Opening of jaws = 2 inches
Base size = 7 inches by 4 inches
Weight = 11 pounds

 

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[10] PERFECTO INVOICE

A pair of bearings for a Pefecto lathe were advertised on Ebay. The listing included this interesting picture of a Perfecto Engineering Co Ltd invoice .
The invoice is dated 1976
The address is:-
Claymill Road
Barkby Road
Leicester
Telephone Leicester 768384

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[11] DOWNFEED

↓ Here is a nice idea for controlling the cutter in the vertical.
The ratchet mechanism indexes the vertical movement of the tool slide.
(NB: not a perfecto)

 

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PICTURES OF PERFECTOS (new pictures are inserted at the bottom of this page)

 

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↓ [23-02-10] This was for sale in New Zealand
Machine Number = 888-5
Maybe Serial Number = 888 Maybe the [-5] indicates a No5, Power operated, 7 inch stroke, 13 inch ram
There is a non standard locking screw on the toolbox slide, in between the gib adjusting screws.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.

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↓ [23-02-10] This nice looking machine was for sale near Chester, UK.
It was described as a 5 inch No3.
Maybe the [-3] indicates a No3, Power operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, with automatic cross feed
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.
This picture is now in the Photo section of the Yahoo Metal Shapers group.

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↓ [09-03-10] This fine example was in the Photo section of the Yahoo Metal Shapers group.
Notice the dial is conical on this one.
This one has the conventional slotted tool post, that sits in the clapper which is attached to the tool box that is attached to the tool box slide.
Other models do not have the slotted tool post and rely on two bolts to hold the tool in the clapper.

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↓ [22-08-10] This came up for sale in the USA. Sold for about $425.
The shaper was bought in the 70's and is brand new and unused. Wow.
The table on this one has T slots.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.
That's a Palmgren vise on the table.

 

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↓ [14-12-10] This was up for sale on ebay for a buy it now price of 350 pounds.
quote: "... motorised Perfecto Handshaper which has an automatic feed. An advantage of the use of a metal shaper is that tools can be shaped from pieces of square HSS square tool steel.
You can cut gears on a shaper but its great benefit is machining flat surfaces and for example dovetail slides. My machine has an inverter drive which itself is worth over 150 pounds. The capacity of the machine is that it will machine at least a 4.25" long cut and a 6" wide cut. I have added a photograph showing the bull wheel to adjust the stroke. The table can be raised and lowered by undoing setscrews and then positioning by hand. I have not found it necessary to raise and lower the table. The table is located on a vertical key. There is a vice with the machine as shown in the photograph. The 0.5HP motor drives a worm gearbox and inturn drives a countershaft through a chain drive which in turn drives the bull wheel that forms the cutting motion. I normally use a 1/16" depth of cut for machining cast iron with a carbide tool. This is adjusted with a handwheel. There are no tools with the deal as the same tools I use in my lathe. I am eventually selling my whole workshop through ill health concentraing on writing for model engineer, but on offer is the perfecto shaper. The perfecto shaper and its drive is mounted on a mild steel sole plate." end quote

 

 

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↓ [28-12-10] This one sold on ebay for 195 pounds.
This is the 7inch stroke model, with 3 speeds available on the pulley with self act in both directions.
It was located in Bridgend, Wales.
This one has the square dial.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.

 

 

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↓ [25-02-11] This one was up for sale on ebay with a buy it now price of 110 pounds.
There are holes in the table.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.

 

 

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↓ [20-10-11] This was for sale on ebay for 150 pounds and was located in Barry.
Machine Number = 1070-5
Maybe Serial Number = 1070 Maybe the [-5] indicates a No5, Power operated, 7 inch stroke, 13 inch ram
This one has the conical dial.
It has a slotted tool post to hold the tooling.

 

 

 

 

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↓ [01-02-12] I found these pictures on the madmodder simple machines forum website.
The toolbox vertical slide has 5 gib adjusting screws which were probably added by an owner of the machine.
It has a slotted tool post to hold the tooling.

 

 

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↓ [05-02-12] This sold on ebay for 108 pounds, located in Lockerbie.
Notice the dial on the vertical slide is the square type that is similar to those shown in the brochure pictures at the top of this page.
This dial maybe the original, or could well be home made.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.
It comes with a fabulous pedestal and a new paint job.
It stands approximately 46" tall overall and needs to be fastened down to the floor when in use.

 

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↓ [12-03-12] This was for sale on the Homeworkshop site for 200 pounds.
It looks like a No2, Hand operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, with automatic cross feed
The table on this one has T slots.
It has a slotted tool post to hold the tooling.

 

 

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↓ [30-03-12] Nick from Denbigh in North Wales sent me a couple of pictures of his new acquisition.
Machine Number = 1195-2
Maybe Serial Number = 1195 Maybe the [-2] indicates a No2, Hand operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, with automatic cross feed
This one is in a good condition.
The top of the quadrant assembly usually is held in place by two locked nuts, this one has a single nut with base.
This one has 6 slots in the table.
It has a slotted tool post to hold the tooling.
[22-04-12] This sold for 160 pounds on ebay (reluctantly sacrificed to finance the acquisition of some lathe parts).

 

 

 

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↓ [22-04-12] This sold for 100 pounds on ebay, located in Brierley Hill.
This looks a No1, Hand operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, without automatic cross feed
The machine badge is not the usual Perfecto badge. There is no serial number stamp on the badge. The machine badges in the catalogue photos at the top of this page are the same as this. Perhaps this is a very early machine, and the serial numbers came later? Or was it the other way around?
There is no self act.
It has had a repaint. The paint is splashed on the nameplate and toolbox slide. The two pins can easily be prised out to remove the nameplate.
It has a square type dial to the toolbox slide, but the handle is missing.
The 3 gib adjusting screws for the toolbox slide are on the left. These are normally on the right hand side.
It does not have the two raised cast square pads normally seen on the top of the ram.
It does not have a serial number on the makers nameplate, which is similar to the model shown in the second picture under '5 inch hand powered No1' at the top of this page.
The tooling is held in the clapper by two bolts.
It is a nice looking machine.

 

 

 

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↓ [22-04-12] This motorised shaper sold for 310 pounds on ebay, located in Bristol.
The Machine Number (looks like) = 880 -5
Maybe Serial Number = 880 Maybe the [-5] indicates a No5, Power operated, 7 inch stroke, 13 inch ram

It was described as :

''Fantastic Perfecto Engineering Shaping Machine.
6" Stroke.
Complete with 1/4 HP single phase 240v Motor and switchgear.
Just needs a 'V' belt and a bench to mount it on !
Auto feed.
Adjustable speeds and stroke.
All slideways in good order.
Barely used.
One tee slot is damaged as can be seen in the pictures.''

I think the tee slot can be welded up and remachined.
It does not have the two raised cast square pads normally seen on the top of the ram.
It has a slotted tool post to hold the tooling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [27-06-12] This motorised shaper sold for 216 pounds on ebay, located in Burntwood Staffs.
The Machine Number (looks like) = 1115-3
Maybe Serial Number = 1115 Maybe the [-3] indicates a No3, Power operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram

 

↓ Here is a Record vice secured to the table.

 

 

 

 

↓ Here is a genuine Perfecto vice.

 

 

 

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↓ [12-01-13] This motorised shaper was for sale for 650 pounds on ebay, located in Shorne Ridgeway, Kent.
Machine Number = 1271
Maybe Serial Number = 1271
It was described as :-
Perfecto shaping machine has been rebuilt and mounted on a purpose built heavy duty stand incorporating single phase motor and guarding and is in as new working condition.
Slide-ways have not been adjusted as there is no evidence of wear as its hardly been used since new.
Year of manufacture circa 1954.
Ram speed - 58, 76, & 94 strokes per minute.
Automatic feed rate, bi-directional - 0.003inch, 0.006inch & 0.009inch per stroke".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [01-08-12] This shaper sold for 865 dollars (561 pounds). located in Kearney, Missouri, Usa.
Machine Number = 1465-3
Maybe Serial Number = 1465 Maybe the [-3] indicates a No3, Power operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram

It was described as:-
"I bought this new around 1982 it is made in england used 2 times 98 percent of paint still on it no rust moves freely been sitting in shop for 25 years if i find mannual will ship with machine. this metal shaper has an adjustable stroke of up to 7" with power cross auto feed and ram speed are adjustable very small but very sturdy and well built like new condition very quiet in operation 22"long 15"high and "20 deep as you can see from pics just wipe the dust off would have looked better if i totaly cleaned it up bought this two build live steam minature train sold for 1400 in 1982 as is us contential sales only it is varry small but heave around 65 or 70 pounds .thanks nick"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [26-06-13] This perfecto was for sale on Gumtree.

 

 

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↓ [30-01-12] This perfecto sold for 1225 dollars (795 pounds), located in Sugar Grove, West Virginia, Usa.

It was described as :-
"This metal shaper has an adjustable stroke of up to 7" with power cross feed. Cross feed and ram speed are adjustable Very small but very sturdy and well built. In very good condition, very quiet in operation. I replaced the cross feed handwheel which was broken in shipping to me 11 years ago and I repainted the machine. All else original. Dimensions 17"L x 12"H x 12"W. Weight about 56# before crating. Will ship UPS ground in Lower 48 for $75.00. Available for local pickup.
Does not include the Maytag motor and belt I used to power it. Does include tooling, VHS video Operating a Shaper by Rudy Kouhoupt (very useful) and Barritt's manual Shaper Operations. One of the worlds smallest metal shapers! A lovely old tool. See http://www.lathes.co.uk/shapers/page2.html"

 

 

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↓ [26-06-13] This was for sale on the PP Auctions website, lot 145.

 

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↓ [10-07-13] This was on the hmem website.

 

 

 

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↓ [19-11-13] This was for sale on ebay, located in Warrington.
I think it sold for 165 pounds.
It looks like a No2, Hand operated, 5 inch stroke, 10 inch ram, with automatic cross feed

 

 

 

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↓ [12-03-14] This was for sale on ebay, located in Lifton.

It was described as: MINIATURE BENCH MOUNTED SHAPING MACHINE FOR MODEL MAKERS. WITH A PAIR OF STEP PULLEYS, YOU WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN MOTOR. HAS SURFACE RUST BUT IS ALL FREE AND ESSENTIALLY WORKING. ONLY REQUIRES CLEANING AND OILING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [28-04-14] This sold on ebay for 70 pounds, located in Swindon.

This hand operated shaper looks like it was missing some of the original parts, was resurrected, and is now functioning again (which is what I like).

↓ The hand lever and round gear wheel are homemade. The actuating gear is normally about a half circle, and not completely circular.

 

 

↓ The table is homemade and is made up from an angle plate with a fabricated slotted table fixed to it.
The T slots are made from individual bars that are screwed onto a plate, which is then fixed to the angle plate. Nice.

 

 

 

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↓ [18-06-14] This sold on ebay for 272 pounds, located in Oxford.

 

 

↓ The middle slots on the table look like they have been drilled and widened out a touch.

 

↓ The bar and pins that are set to operate the self act are missing and should be easy enough to fabricate.
↓ One of the fixing holes on the base has been drilled and widened out.

 

 

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↓ [13-07-14] This sold on ebay for 311 pounds, located in Bristol.

It is the same one that is shown above that previously sold for 70 pounds. It has had a paint job.

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [21-11-14] This sold on ebay for 97 pounds, located in Stockport.

 

 

↓ There is no machine number on the badge. It may be a very early model.

 

 

 

 

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↓ [17-01-15] This sold on ebay for 150 pounds, located in Chesterfield.

 

 

 

 

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↓ [17-01-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Nuneaton.

 

The machine plate could indicate that this is a very early model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [04-05-15] Seen in a Photobucket.

 

The wooden stand is a nice idea.

 

 

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↓ [04-05-15] This sold on ebay for 388 pounds, located in Mytholmroyd.

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [08-10-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Knebworth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [10-10-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Swindon.

 

 

 

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↓ [17-05-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Chiddingly.

Serial Number = 11772 (see the Newdigate machine below)

 

 

 

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↓ [17-06-15] This sold on ebay for 166 pounds, located in Lincoln.

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [20-11-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Rochdale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [23-08-15] This sold for 112 pounds on ebay, located in Skipton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [28-10-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Preston.

Serial Number = 305/2

It was described as :-"
Is in full working order and good condition with no broken or damage to the castings etc.
It is 18" wide and approx 22" deep, the stroke length can be adjusted and set, the cross-feed can be manual or set on the automatic ratchet stroke feed.
The dials are imperial and the front angle work table (6"x6") can be lowered/ raised to suit the size of the task in hand (set level for the photo's).
It comes with a small picador vice which is just the size you would need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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↓ [18-11-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Bishops Stortford.

There is no gib.

 

 

 

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↓ [29-06-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Newdigate.

Serial Number = 11772 (see the Chiddingly machine above)

 

 

 

 

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↓ [28-11-15] This was for sale on ebay, located in Solihull.

 

 

 

 

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↓ [28-11-15] This was for sale for 275 pounds on the HomeWorkShop.Org website, located in Northallerton.

 

 

 

 

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↓ [12-07-16] This sold on ebay for 94 pounds, located in Hemel Hempstead.

Serial Number = 1266

Stephen Millward bought the machine and sent me some information and some more pictures. Click here to see the information.

 

↓ The machine was in a rusty state.

 

 

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↓ [31-07-20] Paul Lilley sent me this picture of his shaper.

Serial Number = 1388

It is a No4 shaper, 7inch stroke, hand operated, auto cross feed.

This one is unsual in that it has a home made extension piece, between the base and the table.
This is a good idea, as it increases the work area if required.
I would ensure that the table was fully supported, to avoid any moment force causing undue stress on the casting at the base weld.

 

 

 

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