A shaper is a reciprocating machine tool in which the ram moves
the cutting towel backwards and forwards. A shaper is intended to
produce flat surfaces. A planer is used to produce horizontal,
vertical or inclined flat surfaces. A planer is used to work on
heavy and large work pieces that cannot be accommodated on the
table of a shaper. A slotter is also called a vertical shaper. The
difference between a shaper and a slotter is the direction of the
cutting action of the tools.