The Shaper Origin

Posted by 141drew Jan 11, 2018 at 11:08 AM and filed under Reviews & Features

Updated on May 20, 2021 at 5:54 PM

Looks like this thing is finally shipping to people and thus far, the reviews are pretty positive. I own a traditional CNC router that I love, but would still love to give one of these a shot.

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Oggy

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2018

Definitely a great idea. I can see how someone who is skilled in CAD can make this move along for them, and I see the benefits of having things mapped out on the screen for you, however I don't really see this as providing one of the key advantages you get from a CNC router, consistent duplication of the result.

You're dependent on the operator to "trace" the image they see on the screen, a CNC can reproduce the image multiple times with out error, something that takes a lot of skill to do when holding a tool by hand.

That said, this is still looks to be product that I could see in a volume shop that want's to say "hand made."

jdm5

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2018

@oggy I don’t have one and don’t plan on getting one, but as I understand it, it doesn’t rely on the operator per se - the user needs to get it close and the router cuts the file for you - go off path too far and it retracts the cutting bit. It does reproducible work...the operator just needs to get it close.

K13

Well-known member

Jan 11, 2018

In this video you can see the head actually moving within the tool to adjust the cut to stay on the cut path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=_0clzXWSaCw

LegacyIndustrial

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Jan 11, 2018

Rad. They are beginning to perfect these for concrete engraving as well.

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gahrajmahal

Well-known member

Jan 12, 2018

Looks like a perfect tool for onsie-twosie projects. Would really save on the woodworking setup time and add the precision you need with prototype design. Does not seem to accommodate feeds and speeds that CNC covers so nicely.

CNC in my opinion is best for multiples of a design. Usually the CNC cost and real estate needed is too much for the home owner. I need to get myself to one of the local "maker spaces" that has CNC available. Heck, the public library space is even free.

BoostAddiction

Well-known member

Jan 12, 2018

I saw this demoed at the NYC Maker Faire this past summer, and was impressed. But the cost was too much for me as just an occasional user. If I were really into woodworking, it would be something to seriously consider, though.

It would be way faster than setting up a regular CNC machine for one-offs, but requires CAD skills which I'm guessing not all woodworkers have yet.