Although the planer and shaper are able to machine flat surfaces,there is not much overlapping in their fields of usefulness. They differ widely in construction and in the method of operation. When two machines are compared the following differences may be seen:

1. The planer is especially adapted to large work; the shaper can do only small work.

2. On the planer the work is moved against a stingray tool; on the shaper the tool moves across the work which is stationary.

3. On the planer the tool is fed into the work; on the shaper the work is usually fed across the tool.