Considering Buying a Shaper Origin

[Crazyraceguy]

I really like my bandsaw. Actually I have two Shopsmith bandsaws. I have them set up with different blades. While Shopsmith is sort of a compromise it is definitely an improvement over the little Craftsman bandsaw that I had bought (back in the last century).

I have a ShopSmith too. It has been in my family since it was new, long before I was even born. It's so old that many of the accessories don't even fit it. I hate it as a table saw, it takes too much space as a drill press, pretty good as a lathe and a horizontal boring machine. I basically keep it out of nostalgia.

 

[woodferret]

Nesting is an extension for Fusion. If you have a basic license, you have Arrange under the design workspace which is a poor-man's nesting. Or you can go really cheapo and just stick with the personal license and move everything manually under a manufacturer's model.

 

[woodferret]

Since your Cabinet Planner exports to DXF, I would have figured you'd have pick up cut2d (vectric). It's quick to plop down 2D CAM paths in that prog.

 

[SoonerFan]

Since your Cabinet Planner exports to DXF, I would have figured you'd have pick up cut2d (vectric). It's quick to plop down 2D CAM paths in that prog.

I use my CNC lots for cutting circles/parts without straight sides, doing inlays, making signs, and other tasks. Do date I have not connected Cabinet Planner designs to files for my CNC. When building cabinets do you use a CNC to cut out box parts, parts for drawers, etc?

 

[woodferret]

My gantry style is the Carvera so no cabinet parts there I do also have the Origin, but again, don't really cut cabinet parts out there, unless I need a curve - but even then, I'm more likely to cut a 1/4 jig. Too slow otherwise. I use both Fusion / Sketchup so either diverts to svgs that I can final touch with Affinity Designer. Small parts do stay Fusion CAM->Carvera though. I also have VCarve, so am familiar with how much easier it is to do 2D paths to gcode there vs Fusion.

 

[SoonerFan]

The simplicity of producing 2D gcode from Easel is why I have stayed. It is super easy to do any shape, combine shapes, etc. The tools in Easel makes inlays a breeze.

I think the longest job I have run on my CNC is cutting out large numbers for a graduation party. If I remember right the numbers were 22 inches by 30 inches. To cut the numbers for 2025 out of 3/4 inch ply took about 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 hours per number or 9 - 10 hours total. Thankfully I could walk away during that job.

I could cut some but not all cabinet parts. My Onefinity maximum cut size is 48 inches by 32 inches. As you suggested, speed is big limiting factor.

 

[smorgasbord]

One CNC project I did was for a magician cousin, who needed pieces cut exactly so they could be assembled in different ways. Here's one way they're assembled in a frame that's about 18" wide:


They were cut out of different colors of acrylic 1/8" to ¼" thick. Actually cut in stages: First was a rough cut on the tablesaw with cross cut sled, then drill out with a Forstner bit shallow holes for magnets, then glued with the magnets trapped, then final cut out on the CNC.

Could have been done entirely on the tablesaw and crosscut sled, of course, but the CNC made the process stress-free and very accurate.

 

[SoonerFan]

Could have been done entirely on the tablesaw and crosscut sled, of course, but the CNC made the process stress-free and very accurate.

I really have gained a great appreciation for both the accuracy and ease of working with a CNC over the last couple of years. I have for sure done many projects I would have turned down had I not had a CNC. I am willing to “set it and forget it” on complex carves taking multiple hours trusting the piece will come out as designed/desired and with terrific precision.