Shaper Origin, is it worth it? and how accurate is it really?

[HowardH]

I struggle making curved templates using the normal methods, ie. bandsaw, sanding, re-sanding and then having to start over when I screw it up.  [scared]. I can really see how this could simplify things greatly. I just need to figure out the right SVG software program to use.  I suppose I could take the measurements of an existing template and duplicate it digitally.  Would be curious if it can truly replace the Leigh dovetail jigs I have. 

 

[WillB]

Great thread...
like the OP, I too wondered about true tolerances.
Now granted, not everyone needs tight tolerances.  When making signage, who cares about .001"?  But a previous poster dismissed this too quickly, as is often the case when tolerances are discussed in ww terms, using the common response "wood moves more than that".  But my issue is, wood moves the same regardless of the tolerance of the CNC

This thread did a GREAT job at demonstrating some of the SO true uniqueness vs. stationary CNC, no footprint when not in use, can bring to job site, can match the work size of 4x8 CNC Gantry at a tiny fraction of the price, relatively simple software, tolerances good enough for prob. 98+% of ww CNC tasks.  (joinery excluded)

The potential downsides, which is still not so clear, tolerances for joinery and tolerances over long runs, user fatigue for extended use, user control error.  I appreciated the user input offered in these areas.  I can see how long repetitive work over large distances the SO becomes less desirable, as labor cost and fatigue and user error might creep in vs. stationary CNC.  But I think SO is not going after that market sector.

On one side, you see this perfect joinery being made on their videos, which demand super tight tolerances.  Heck, even with the Leigh jigs, we are adjusting our elliptical bushings in .001" increments to get perfect joints.  And yet the magazine article demonstrated tolerances way less than what one would expect for perfect joinery. 

Now that the joinery accessory is being shipped, I would suspect a lot of users will now be doing lots of dovetail and box joints, should be interesting to get feedback from those users, as if there is tolerance issues, they would surely surface with complex joinery layout, specially over long distances, such as 24" long.  I wold be quite impressed if SO can produce 24" long dovetial joints with perfect fits like shown on their website.  If it can pass that test, KUDOS to SO!!!  I am probably a buyer soon as well....

By no means am I knocking this product.  IMO, the premise and execution has been absolutely BRILLIANT, and I have been so impressed watching this company grow.  Love to see this level of technology brought to ww.  But like all posts on this forum, users dig deeper than current info is available. 

As a side note, I noticed smaller sized CNC, at about 2ft x 4ft range ($6K price range usa) state tolerances of .005" as a reference.  For non joinery work, I would consider this excellent. 

 

[jarbroen]

WillB - you mentioned that even with a Leigh jig you are adjusting bushings to get that last .001" when fitting joints.
I haven't used it yet, but noticed that the ShaperO has a cut offset that you can adjust.  Pretty sure they use a similar principle that you'd find with the bearing adjustment for Leigh or the click settings with an Incra setup.

 

[WillB]

Yes, very similar premise...
However, with the Leigh, the reference is used against the fingers, which are milled to super high tolerances along the entire 24" run (assuming u are making a 24" joint)  So a new reference is encountered every half inch, or inch, etc.  However with the offset on the Shaper O, it has no new reference as you move from start to the end of the 24" joint, so errors can multiply making the joint a bad fit.

So the task for the Shaper is MUCH more difficult to maintain accuracy vs. the Leigh for this reason.  I would be pleasantly surprised if the Shaper O can make 24" long dovetail joints consistently (the ultimate test) with the precision I see on their videos, where their finished joints are spectacular.  If this is the case, I applaud the Shaper O design team as that is an amazing accomplishment for v1.0 of a product at its Prosumer price point.
Hopefully people will report their findings soon.

 

[WillB]

Any Shaper Origin users that can update this thread?

 

[nclemmons]

I've had a Shaper Origin since they were first released.  Also have the Workstation accessory.  I purchased it as a hobbyist.  I had done some CNC work with a Sherline Mill and a Tormach mill in the past using Fusion, gCode, etc.  It was a PAIN to deal with.

Origin is really nice for small projects.  I have done finger joints, mortise and tenon, engraving, small signs, gifts and a number of other items.  It's great for those types of projects.  Fatigue can be an issue on larger projects as you are limited to a depth equal to or less than the bit diameter.  I have done a full MFT Paulk-style top with mine and it worked well.  I just made a new top for my my MFT table and opted to use the UJK Parf guide.  I'd say it was equally accurate and equally fatiguing when you have to bend over for that long on detail work.

If you have a production shop needing repetitive work, I'd opt for a table sized unit assuming you have space.  But if you are doing mostly joinery, I think the Origin is a great choice.  Not as fast as a Domino, but it has so many more capabilities for more unique joinery.

Yes you could cut 26" wide finger joints.  They just released a method for doing dovetails but I have not yet tried it.  The Workstation will hold pieces about 18-20" wide.  Any more than that and you really need to make an alternative work holding approach.  Doable and repeatable with very good accuracy based on my experience.

Most of what I do I create 2-D SVG files using any of a number of software tools.  There is a learning curve on these if you have not used them.  I use Autodesk Graphic and Affinity Designer.  You can also use Adobe  and even several free tools.

Shaper team has been outstanding in support, engagement with the community and weekly sessions showing new techniques with the Origin.  Now that Festool owns Shaper, I have every confidence they will continue to improve the software and applications in time.

 

[HowardH]

I can't speak to the joinery aspects of it yet. I do have the workstation and it makes cutting small parts like inlays, etc. very easy.  It reminds me of a hybrid between a Leigh dovetail jig and their M&T jig.  It is very accurate but you do have to pay attention a bit and stay within the reticle to avoid the bit jumping out.  I would imagine as long as you follow along their instructions for making dovetails and box joints, they should turn out fantastic.  They have a repository of svg files that are Shaper designed and also uploaded from the users so as time goes on, their library should increase substantially.  After a few uses, it's easy to get into a rhythm and knock projects out quickly.  To follow up on what Neil just posted, it can get a bit tedious.  Definitely not the tool for repetitive production runs as you can't set it and forget it like a traditional CNC.  The flip side is you are limited in size only to the amount of shaper tape you have like if you were doing inlays in a wood floor.  Hope that helps.

 

[fritter63]

Attached is a side by side test I did with a friend who owns an early Shaper. The notations are what I measured on actual dimensions for the Avid CNC Pro vs the Shaper. As you can see, the shaper appears to be around .002" more accurate than the Avid, however that is likely due to TIR on the 80mm Chinese spindle I'm using. Could be bit wear as well.

Bottom line is that we're talking about woodworking and cabinet work and measuring to thousands of an inch accuracy.

As my step-father used to say: "close enough for government work".

So as indicated above, I think it comes down to frequency of use, size of project, and of course, HOW IS YOUR BACK?

I seriously contemplated gettin the shaper vs expanding my machine but in the end, I just don't relish crawling around on my knees while "being the motor" of a CNC machine. YMMV.

I will probably get one later this year just have it as an option (and then sell of my Leight FMT and Dovetail jigs).

[attachimg=1]

 

[mkasdin]

I struggle making curved templates using the normal methods, ie. bandsaw, sanding, re-sanding and then having to start over when I screw it up.  [scared]. I can really see how this could simplify things greatly. I just need to figure out the right SVG software program to use.  I suppose I could take the measurements of an existing template and duplicate it digitally.  Would be curious if it can truly replace the Leigh dovetail jigs I have.

I think it’s possible to use Adobe illustrator and export a .svg file. You could print a 1:10 scale on paper and visually check. Then export the scaled mock up and create a sample template. I think the tool allows flexibility.  As I read above the a repository of files?

 

[Rockne]

What keeps me from buying a Shaper Origin is theirhttps://www.shapertools.com/de-de/terms#tc as of 26. September 2018 which with

2. Our License to you. Subject to these Terms of Service, we give you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, revocable license to use the Sites, Services, and Products. [...] Shaper may limit your access to any Site, Service, or Product in its sole discretion.

states that you are unable to legally transfer ownership (as you're not able to transfer the license to use the build-in software) and access to something you paid for can be taken from you on a whim without even giving you a reason.

TL;DR: the moment your use case for Shaper Origin ends that thing has scrap value at best, sooner in case they unilaterally decide to turn it off.

Compare that to

(a) License to Shaper.  You give Shaper (and those trusted third parties we work with) a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable, worldwide license to use, use, store, display, reproduce, save, modify, create derivative works, perform, and distribute your User Content solely for the purposes of operating, providing, improving, and developing the Shaper Sites, Services, and Products. When you post content to a public or shared space in the Sites, Services, or Products, such as our Community Forum, you also grant Shaper a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, unrestricted, worldwide license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, perform, or publicly display your User Content in any medium and for any purpose, including commercial purposes.

where you have no recourse or way to stop them from making money of your designs should they decide to. Please note that using the cloud feature of the shaper origin (eg. loading a shape into it via their website) technically is as case of  When you post content to a public or shared space in the Sites, Services, or Products, giving them the right to rip-off legally use your IP in any medium and for any purpose, including commercial.

TL;DR: what you upload to their cloud platform (even in your own partition) is no longer yours.

Then we have

17. Modification of these Terms of Service. These Terms of Service are subject to occasional change or update. Whenever the Terms of Service are materially changed, we will notify you, and the change will take effect 30 calendar days after notice is posted for existing users and immediately for new users. You are responsible for keeping your contact information up to date if you wish to receive notice of these changes. If you do not want to be subject to any changes in these Terms of Service, you must discontinue using our Services and Products before the change takes place. Continued use will serve as an acceptance of the changed Terms of Service

which basically codifies that they can change the ToS to turn your shaper origin into a pay-per-use device, grant them ius primae noctis or whatever else evil things one can come up with... and the moment you turn on your (*sig*) shaper origin the next time you agree to let them charge your VISA per mm routed, to bend over and relax or comply with whatever else they might come up with. And in case you're not agreeing you, as of the first quote, only have the option to scrap the machine as you're legally unable to sell it as fit for the original purpose since you can not transfer the software license...

TL;DR: you have no rights.

I have pointed that out to them, politely, 3 months ago, together with a list of other things incompatible with how things work here in Europe. While they have used the last three months to change some of the (for them) worst things that I found with their offering... the issue of their ToS is still as-is. Having given them enough time (akin to responsible disclosure) to change this without effect... it's IMHO now reasonable to voice my dispraise for their terms of service and to advise others against spending money on a device that you will not own, a device that can be stopped to function without reason or notice, a device that when used in the advertised use scenario (while it's still functioning) will steal transfer the rights to your designs to someone else without compensation.

________________________________________________________________________
The terms of service of ShaperTools are unacceptable and should not be accepted.
As of that Shaper Origin is, while things stay that way, not worth it.

This guy again. Every, and I mean EVERY TOS has tons of mundane garbage in it!  There have been plenty of Shapers go up for sale and people gladly exchanged them and everything is working great. If you bought 200 of them and resold them at a profit... those clauses make perfect sense.

I am sorry your black and white world accepts no grey areas.

Good day sir. I hope you find happiness in something in life.

Cheers. Bryan

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm wondering if [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] is aware that they gave Shaper/Festool/TTS a royalty-free, irrevocable license for any designs, products, patterns, etc they they may have used their Origin to produce. 

In other words, I'm 100% with you, and it takes people like you (and me) and companies like TSO (who I know guards their IP very jealously) to stand up to draconian technology ToS. 

There will be a reckoning with take-it-or-leave it ToS in this world.  I'm a little surprised it hasn't happened already.  But it's coming. 

 

[PaulMarcel]

But you don't have to push your SVG designs to the cloud. It comes with a USB thumb drive and the Origin has a port on the side to give you access.

 

[Bertotti]

Yep, I haven't yet loaded anything up to the cloud. All done in Affinity Designer and then to the USB drive. Absolutely no regrets buying this, and now that I have it I can't believe I hesitated. So fun so useful. I have several projects I need to finish before I can dig in some more. I literally packed it up and set it aside because if it's out I will start something with it rather than finish what needs to be done now. Once you dig into it a bit you start to find things you want to do. I will be doing some glue ups shortly and will make a few corner jigs and see how accurate it is for that.

 

[RogerF]

I’m a one man professional shop. I have limited experience in digital design. I’ve had my Shaper Origin for just over two years. Portability and being able to cut stuff onboard boats is essential.
To your point about accuracy, don’t worry it is more accurate than you will need in woodworking.
It has overlaps with a flat bed CNC and both can do stuff that the other can’t.
It will make accurate templates for you in any size. You are only limited by how much tape you have to lay down.
Give it what it needs and you will get superb results. It needs a clear view of a certain amount of tape. Don’t cheap out. Careful scan, we’ll clamped work and an understanding of how to operate a fairly light weight router.
It’s a better tool today than when I bought it due to firmware updates and the expanding Shaper Hub and Shaper Lab.
I particularly like the ability to dial in offsets by 0.001” and the simple user interface.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would have to say pretty much the same as RogerF. I don't have as much time on mine as he does, but I can say that once you get past a bit of a learning curve, it is great.
Order of operations is important when you are looking for perfect fit. It works best when you can test fit  one part into the other while one of them is still fixtured and taped. That way you can increase the off-set and recut one side of the joint. Once you get it worked out, it is very repeatable.

 

[TinyWorkshopDesign]

I'm about to pulling the trigger too...

My shop is tiny  ;D ,I don't have the space to setup up a stationary machine large enough to be useful

I think that the SO will be the perfect choice for a prosumer like me.

I want also to incorporate the workstation to my bench, well I will do a complete new one with the workstation integrated (the surface at the same level of the workbench) and maybe also a custom XL workstation.... or extender workstation?  ;D

for what I've found anyone that has one loves it.
feel free to correct me

 

[Bertotti]

Love the SO still just a beginner and the two big things for me to get a handle on are Affinity Designer, or app of your choice, by far the steepest learning curve, and sneaking up on final cuts. When I rush I mess things up but good! If you have the itch, scratch it, it is a blast to use. My daughter wants to learn it now.