Using Shaper Origin for a quick router baseplate

[4nthony]

I got to play with a Shaper Origin and Workstation this weekend and was curious how easy it would be to make a baseplate for my OF 1400. Unfortunately, I didn't have any acrylic on hand so I grabbed whatever scraps would be close enough in size for a prototype.

A while back, I found the 1400 baseplate dimensions and screw locations. I had previously made a baseplate out of acrylic but after the first use, I realized that I was missing out on half the dust collection by not making the center hole large enough to accommodate the chip catcher.

My first attempt was on the red oak scrap. I did a new scan, created a grid, and did the circle layouts on the machine. So quick, easy, and most of all, accurate. I made the countersinks at the drill press because, well, I didn't even think to do it with the shaper. The next attempt was on a piece of poplar, but this time I exported an SVG out of SketchUp. After getting the SVG to the machine, the V-bit made quick work of the countersinks. I'm looking forward to getting some acrylic so I can try this again and remake the baseplate in a proper size.

Those of you who have or use a Shaper already know that this example doesn't even scratch the surface of what the machine can do. But wow, what a fun experience. And my 3 year old is stoked because she has some new circle cutouts to play with [cool]

 

[rmwarren]

Welcome to the club Anthony, it's an addicting gadget. You'll be amazed how often you'll have an idea for some simple thing and you realize "Hey, I can make that!" Similar to having a 3d printer available.

I saw you joined over on the Shaper forum also. See you around.

RMW

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Welcome to the club Anthony, it's an addicting gadget. You'll be amazed how often you'll have an idea for some simple thing and you realize "Hey, I can make that!" Similar to having a 3d printer available.

I saw you joined over on the Shaper forum also. See you around.

RMW

I'm over there too, but I just can't seem to get into it very well? The site feels clunky for some reason. I'm not really sure what it is?

The Origin itself is fantastic. I still haven't gotten into using it as much as I want too though. We have been doing as much overtime as possible and dealing with the heat too, exhausting.

 

[rmwarren]

Welcome to the club Anthony, it's an addicting gadget. You'll be amazed how often you'll have an idea for some simple thing and you realize "Hey, I can make that!" Similar to having a 3d printer available.

I saw you joined over on the Shaper forum also. See you around.

RMW

I'm over there too, but I just can't seem to get into it very well? The site feels clunky for some reason. I'm not really sure what it is?

The Origin itself is fantastic. I still haven't gotten into using it as much as I want too though. We have been doing as much overtime as possible and dealing with the heat too, exhausting.

I find there is a lot of helpful advice on specific questions about software, techniques, etc. On the other hand, IMHO, there are also a lot of silly rabbit hole threads about how they should add some capability outside the core use case for the tool (hook up to my phone so I can remote control it from the couch...).

Just my [2cents] highly influenced by my being an old fart.

Haven't seen you post there yet?

RMW

 

[Packard]

I don’t have the Shaper.  However, years ago I took a piece of 3/4” plywood, large enough to rest on a pair of saw horses and I thinned out a section in the middle to about 1/4” thickness.  I drilled out holes and mounted my router directly onto the ply.

This meant that I could have a router table anywhere I travelled.

And I never had to level the router plate to the table top. 

A fence was any piece of straight stock that I could clamp onto the plywood “table”.

Is this something a Shaper Origin could knock out easily?

 

[4nthony]

I'm over there too, but I just can't seem to get into it very well? The site feels clunky for some reason. I'm not really sure what it is?

Agreed. Their forum software is a but clunky, especially if you prefer the layout and operation of forums like FOG. Most of their pages use "infinite scrolling" instead of pagination and on long threads, sometimes I just want to go to the end and work my way back. There's probably a way to do it but I haven't really looked.

On the Community homepage, the right column is all the new posts so I tend to just browse that rather than jumping into the specific categories. I do the same thing here. My FOG bookmark goes directly to the Unread page as my starting point.

Is this something a Shaper Origin could knock out easily?

Yes. Once you put the hole placements into Shaper, it would be a very simple operation.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I don’t have the Shaper.  However, years ago I took a piece of 3/4” plywood, large enough to rest on a pair of saw horses and I thinned out a section in the middle to about 1/4” thickness.  I drilled out holes and mounted my router directly onto the ply.

This meant that I could have a router table anywhere I travelled.

And I never had to level the router plate to the table top. 

A fence was any piece of straight stock that I could clamp onto the plywood “table”.

Is this something a Shaper Origin could knock out easily?

Trying to "hog out" a large open section is not really it's forte. I suppose there could be a way to do it, but you would be better off with some longer rails to span across a template and a regular router. It would be great for making the template however.
The Origin's baseplate does not take well to hanging out in space, it needs to make contact, especially the part closest to the user.

 

[Packard]

When I have needed to make a base plate, I simply traced the plate onto the stock and cut it out.  I used a Vix bit (center finding bit) to locate the holes. 

I know this is old school, but it was sufficiently accurate and quick to make. 

Unless I were making several at one time, this seems like overkill. 

And if I were making several, I would make a template and use a guided router it to cut the shape and then drill out the holes. 

It does not seem like a CNC holds much advantage here.

 

[4nthony]

Trying to "hog out" a large open section is not really it's forte. I suppose there could be a way to do it, ...

True...I misunderstood Packard's post. In my head, I was thinking of a trim router recessed into a piece of 3/4 ply, rather than a really wide, edge-to-edge pocket cut that was larger than the Shaper's base.

On the topic of pocket cuts, have you used their 16mm clearing bit? It seems very expensive, combined with having to also get the 8mm collet (though good to know the OF 1010 collet fits the Shaper spindle).

It does not seem like a CNC holds much advantage here.

For a project as simple as a router baseplate, your assessment is correct. If you were creating a universal baseplate then the CNC might be at an advantage. If you're doing inlays then the advantage is clear. I've yet to do inlays but it's on my list of things to try.

 

[festal]

Trying to "hog out" a large open section is not really it's forte. I suppose there could be a way to do it, ...

True...I misunderstood Packard's post. In my head, I was thinking of a trim router recessed into a piece of 3/4 ply, rather than a really wide, edge-to-edge pocket cut that was larger than the Shaper's base.

On the topic of pocket cuts, have you used their 16mm clearing bit? It seems very expensive, combined with having to also get the 8mm collet (though good to know the OF 1010 collet fits the Shaper spindle).

It does not seem like a CNC holds much advantage here.

For a project as simple as a router baseplate, your assessment is correct. If you were creating a universal baseplate then the CNC might be at an advantage. If you're doing inlays then the advantage is clear. I've yet to do inlays but it's on my list of things to try.

$20 on amazon global UKhttps://www.amazon.com/Festool-488755-8mm-Collet-Nut/dp/B0017VBLH2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=festool+8mm&m=AP3VA1GJZM3EQ&qid=1660044806&s=merchant-items&sr=1-3

 

[Crazyraceguy]

On the topic of pocket cuts, have you used their 16mm clearing bit? It seems very expensive, combined with having to also get the 8mm collet (though good to know the OF 1010 collet fits the Shaper spindle).

I have not. I saw the video on the Shaper Youtube channel, where they showed it. I looked into it and discovered that they want something like $150 for it? I already have access to 8mm collets, from the OF1010, so that wouldn't cost me any extra. I'm no stranger to $150 router bits, but that seems a little excessive? It might be the only game in town though? Getting a bit in the range of that diameter and fairly short cut length at the same time, may not be so easy?

 

[rmwarren]

On the topic of pocket cuts, have you used their 16mm clearing bit? It seems very expensive, combined with having to also get the 8mm collet (though good to know the OF 1010 collet fits the Shaper spindle).

I have not. I saw the video on the Shaper Youtube channel, where they showed it. I looked into it and discovered that they want something like $150 for it? I already have access to 8mm collets, from the OF1010, so that wouldn't cost me any extra. I'm no stranger to $150 router bits, but that seems a little excessive?

I am lusting after that bit, but similarly cannot get past the cost. I presume since they must start with a huge chunk of carbide and waste away ~50% to get to the final profile that's what drives the cost.

Before they released it, I'd been trying some 8mm bits from Axminster and Amazon UK but still haven't hit on one I love. Probably collected over $150 in unsatisfactory bits by now... [doh]

RMW

 

[smorgasbord]

Those of you who have or use a Shaper already know that this example doesn't even scratch the surface of what the machine can do. But wow, what a fun experience. And my 3 year old is stoked because she has some new circle cutouts to play with [cool]

Besides, there's something ironic about using a computer-guided router to make a non-computer guided router baseplate.

 

[afish]

I dont have a SO but Another option for doing large pocketsand still support the base plate fully would to be: Cut the perimeter of the pocket with the SO and put in any other holes as needed first then come back with a regular router and hog out the middle free hand. Just an option.

 

[HowardH]

I've had one for about a year and it has pluses and minuses.  Overall, tho, it's really cool and has unlimited ways it can be used.  I did this for my son who was a music major in college.  No way I could have done this without it. 

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