Which Wood Spindle Shaper Is Right for Your Workshop? Four NOVA Models Compared

A spindle shaper (spindle moulder) is an essential woodworking machine for joinery, furniture making and smaller workshops where you need to machine edges, profiles and parts with a rotating cutter. Choosing the right spindle shaper directly affects surface quality, repeatability, safety and overall workflow.

If you’re looking for an answer to the question which spindle shaper to choose for your workshop, you should consider more than just motor power. Machine weight and construction, spindle diameter and adjustment range, table solutions, and the option to add a power feeder all play a major role.

Before choosing a specific spindle shaper, ask yourself a few practical questions:

• Do I mainly make one-off parts or do I run regular production?
• How large and heavy are the workpieces I’ll be machining?
• Do I have 230 V or 380 V power available in the workshop?
• Do I plan to use a spindle shaper together with a power feeder in the future?

Below we compare four NOVA spindle shapers and explain which woodworking shaper is the best match depending on your work type and usage volume.

1. NOVA WS-1/2A – Compact Spindle Shaper for a Small Workshop

The NOVA WS-1/2A is a compact spindle shaper. Its 91 kg weight and cast-iron table provide adequate stability for light to medium-duty shaping work. Thanks to its size, it’s a good fit for a smaller workshop or home garage.

This machine is primarily intended for edge profiling, simpler mouldings and one-off parts. The included router collet adapters (8–7 mm and 12–11 mm) allow you to use tooling designed for handheld routers.

In practice, this spindle shaper is often used for shaping edges on small cabinets, mouldings and furniture parts where quick setup and a small footprint matter.

1. Pros: compact design, cast-iron table, compatible with router-type tooling
2. Cons: limited mass for larger/heavier workpieces
3. Best for: hobby users, home workshops, smaller projects

2. NOVA 5000 – Multi-Purpose Spindle Shaper for Workshop Use

The NOVA 5000 is a 1500 W spindle shaper with four spindle speeds and an adjustable spindle height. This lets you tune the machine to different materials and cutter types.

In addition to shaping, it can also be used for sanding by fitting the included sanding drums to the spindle.

A good choice for workshops where one machine needs to handle multiple tasks and where flexibility and space-saving are important.

1. Pros: multiple spindle speeds, sanding capability, adjustable spindle
2. Cons: available only with 380 V power supply
3. Best for: joiners, smaller workshops, versatile multi-purpose use

3. NOVA WS 1 1/2 – Professional Spindle Shaper for Regular Use

The NOVA WS 1 1/2 is a 2200 W professional spindle shaper with a 30 mm spindle and a cast-iron construction weighing approximately 190 kg. This provides stability even when machining larger workpieces.

The included sliding table improves workpiece control and increases both safety and repeatability.

If your workshop runs regular, precise and repeatable shaping operations, this spindle shaper is a clear step toward professional production.

1. Pros: strong motor, heavy cast-iron build, sliding table
2. Cons: harder to move due to weight
3. Best for: professional joiners, small-scale production

4. NOVA 5110 – Industrial Spindle Shaper for More Complex Work

The NOVA 5110 is a 2800 W industrial spindle shaper with a tilting spindle (–5° to 30°), enabling more complex operations and angled profiling work.

The cast-iron table is factory-prepared for mounting a power feeder, making it easy to run the spindle shaper together with a feeder.

A suitable solution for professional production environments where workload and variety are part of daily work.

1. Pros: tilting spindle, very powerful motor, power-feeder ready
2. Cons: higher investment
3. Best for: professional production, continuous use

Power Feeder – An Accessory to Improve Consistency and Safety

The NOVA PF32 power feeder provides consistent feed rate, improves surface quality and reduces the need for manual feeding.

In addition to efficiency, a power feeder significantly improves safety—your hands stay farther from the cutter, and long work cycles are less tiring.

• NOVA 5110 – mounting holes are factory-prepared
• WS-1/2A, NOVA 5000, WS 1 1/2 – mounting requires drilling and tapping

View the NOVA PF32 power feeder

Which Model Should You Choose?

• Small workshop and hobby work → NOVA WS-1/2A
• Versatile multi-purpose use → NOVA 5000
• Regular, precise work → NOVA WS 1 1/2
• Continuous production and complex work → NOVA 5110

If you need help choosing the right spindle shaper or power feeder, the Koneita.com team will help you find the best solution for your work.