re: scm shaper

In short: A SCM is a good made machine

The SCM T55W Elite S in europe is known as Minimax T55W Elite S. The minimax is the lightest range of machines that SCM builds. That does not mean that it is a bad machine. On the contrary I think according to the USA standards it is a very good machine. The most shapers in the USA are made in the far east. SCM is made in Italy and from a high quality.

The sliding table is only worth the money when you do (a lot of) endgrain work. Tenons for example.

The tilting table saves tool purchasing. The tilting spindle on this machine for as far I know goes 45 degree forward. This means that you are limited (very much) in wood thickness!! Backward tilting maybe 5 degree but I,m not sure about it. When you have a lot of long grain wood and for making a deep rebate there are tools with a 5 degree tilted angle compensation. The benefit is less tearout.