There are certain things that a shaper can do better than more modern stuff, especially when you don't have more modern stuff. I had use of one from a friend in the past. Great for al sorts of slotting and cutting dovetails. Tooling is stupid cheap, just HSS lathe bits shaped as needed. I was rebuilding a small Rhodes shaper that was born in 1903. Just about had it done but my circumstances changed and it had to go down the road. I have made some room in the basement and hope to find a small Atlas or something similar but right now, anything that is complete and running is more than my budget can handle.