What would a Shaper Origin realistically be used for by hobbyists?

[HowardH]

I got one several months ago. I got it for a specific need, ie. to engrave cutting boards as gifts for the wife's direct reports. 

That's one heck of a gift, if she was willing to let you spend that kind of money to make it happen!

Is she hiring?

Ha! You should see what she got for herself!  [eek] [eek] [eek]

 

[spetka]

I got one several months ago. I got it for a specific need, ie. to engrave cutting boards as gifts for the wife's direct reports.  Other than that, I have used it to make chairs and a few other things like creating foam inserts for systainers.  They keep expanding their ShaperHub project lists where folks can upload things they have done.  That is a great way to get a project without the need for becoming a graphic design expert. For example, I made several of these for a friend of mine as a way to organize cans in their pantry. It was in ShaperHub.

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It's a lot of fun to use and if you have the money, it's definitely worth the investment.

Thats awesome!  Thanks for sharing, this is exactly the kind of stuff I am looking for.  I just don't really have time to learn how to program a CNC so the Shaper Hub sounds perfect for me.

 

[HowardH]

I got one several months ago. I got it for a specific need, ie. to engrave cutting boards as gifts for the wife's direct reports.  Other than that, I have used it to make chairs and a few other things like creating foam inserts for systainers.  They keep expanding their ShaperHub project lists where folks can upload things they have done.  That is a great way to get a project without the need for becoming a graphic design expert. For example, I made several of these for a friend of mine as a way to organize cans in their pantry. It was in ShaperHub.

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It's a lot of fun to use and if you have the money, it's definitely worth the investment.

Thats awesome!  Thanks for sharing, this is exactly the kind of stuff I am looking for.  I just don't really have time to learn how to program a CNC so the Shaper Hub sounds perfect for me.

Cool!  If you are going to do smaller projects, I absolutely recommend getting their workstation.  It makes things even that much easier.  The other thing is they have a group very similar to the FOG where there is a ton of knowledge being shared. It's been very helpful to learn about navigating around software like Affinity Designer or Inkscape.  The motor, if I understand correctly, is supplied by Festool and so either a 1/4" or 8mm collet is accepted. 

 

[Cheese]

The motor, if I understand correctly, is supplied by Festool and so either a 1/4" or 8mm collet is accepted.

The collet & collet nut from a 1010 is the same and will fit the Shaper spindle. I just installed an 8 mm collet & nut from my 1010.

 

[grobkuschelig]

The motor, if I understand correctly, is supplied by Festool and so either a 1/4" or 8mm collet is accepted.

The collet & collet nut from a 1010 is the same and will fit the Shaper spindle. I just installed an 8 mm collet & nut from my 1010.

Same for the MFK 700, if you happen to have one…

 

[rich1]

The guy who first told me about the SO was an early adopter (3-4 years ago). He told me he is always finding new ways to use it. His kids love creating with it, it makes his valuable shop time more productive and he is doing more and more on tool creation.

 

[HowardH]

Here is a short video that gives a good explanation.

Shaper Orgin Explained

Thanks JD, that explains a lot. What about the placement of the tape(s)?

The placement of the tape isn’t all that critical. Usually you space it out about every 4”. The camera must be able to see it to keep itself oriented as you move around your workpiece. It will tell you if you don’t have enough tape down, especially around the edges. The tape doesn’t have to be aligned perfectly with each strip. The camera doesn’t care, it just needs to see it. For smaller projects, their workstation works great as the tape is permanently attached but it works only for smaller projects.  I will say it can become a bit tiresome to use for a making a lot repetitive cuts. I have used it quite a bit to inscribe lettering in cutting boards. People marvel at how it can do that.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

You can also get an 1/8" collet for it too, which will also work in your OF1010 or MFK700, if you would have a use for that. I ordered one, along with the matching Sys1 to store the accessories/parts.
I have downloaded a few cut-out patterns for that, but haven't committed to it yet.

 

[Sbradley0911]

If this hasn't already been mentioned you could go on shaperhub and take a look at hundreds of projects it's already been used for by other members and you could also use for yourself.

 

[Lincoln]

More of a 'makers' tool, than a woodworker's. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but to me there is a difference.

 

[HowardH]

I finished this project this morning.  Our son is studying vocal performance at SMU and will graduate this December.  He got his first apartment last month and of course, he needed a cutting board.  This is where the SO shines.  I cut the recess with the Origin and then used epoxy as the inlay.  It was a very simple process and it proved to be extremely accurate.

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