Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

shapertools.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 71 posts

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#61

Post by linsomniac »

LeifCarrotson wrote: post #10
21 wrote: post #4

Brilliant idea, outsource to the human the low-precision positioning task and get rid of the workpiece fixtures for massive price reduction. Now someone needs to build the equivalent for 3-5 axis, maybe with a free movable support arm since it might be too heavy to hold just with hands.

Honestly,I wonder if this concept isn't better suited for welding robots and plasma cutters. It seems ideally suited for those tools. You need precise control of a tool position, and the reason,they're not done by hand more right now is that access to the workpiece and clamping it in place are a huge pain. A big problem with handheld CNC is that cutting many materials you'd want to cut requires precise control of you…

The benefit I see is not the expense of doing long axes, but the problem with storing them. I can put a Shaper Origin away in a cupboard in the garage when I'm done, the 4x8 CNC at my makerspace takes up around as much space as a car, and hasn't been moved in years.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#62

Post by otherwiseguy »

janekm wrote: post #60
linsomniac wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure you understand what this is. It's not a router, it's a handheld 4'x8' CNC. If Makita has a 4x8 CNC for 200 bucks, it's news to me. :-) It doesn't have "a little map of where you're supposed to go", it has a display showing where it is going to go . Now, I don't drive my router every day (a Bosch, FYI), so I'll admit I'm not a skilled operator. But my ability to follow a pencil line with a router is iffy…

Actually it's a little of both. You do have to guide it by hand according to the map it shows, however it will correct small deviations from the path allowing relatively accurate cuts. It has two huge downsides over a regular router: you have to place marker tape (quite expensive) all over the workpiece, and it will stop working once the marker tape is cut. Also, you have to keep guiding it throughout the process so…

It does not stop working when the tape is cut, only when there isn't enough visible tape. Also, you can put tape on a place outside where you are cutting and reuse it. The camera isn't pointing down where it is cutting. Also, it'll correct for fairly large deviations. It is more for one-off things as opposed to madd producing something like standard CNC router. Limitless size is nice, I am unlikely to buy a 4'x8' CNC router for my garage.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#63

Post by happertiger »

I own one. It comes with autodesk 360 for a year. Truth be told, this thing is solid as a tank and incredibly well built. Makes inlays a breeze and does a faultless job at basic tasks.

The best part is that all the capabilities are in a small box so you don’t need a room to store it and it’s portable.

It can take a long time to do larger projects and you can’t fire it up and forget it, but it’s an exceptionally good product.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#64

Post by janekm »

otherwiseguy wrote: post #62
janekm wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually it's a little of both. You do have to guide it by hand according to the map it shows, however it will correct small deviations from the path allowing relatively accurate cuts. It has two huge downsides over a regular router: you have to place marker tape (quite expensive) all over the workpiece, and it will stop working once the marker tape is cut. Also, you have to keep guiding it throughout the process so…

It does not stop working when the tape is cut, only when there isn't enough visible tape. Also, you can put tape on a place outside where you are cutting and reuse it. The camera isn't pointing down where it is cutting. Also, it'll correct for fairly large deviations. It is more for one-off things as opposed to madd producing something like standard CNC router. Limitless size is nice, I am unlikely to buy a 4'x8' CNC…

Indeed, it makes more sense at home rather than in a makerspace. But you'd be very unlikely to make the money back compared to sending it out to a professional shop. It could be perfect for interior designers and similar jobs where one-off pieces have to be cut on the spot and cost isn't a big issue.

The issue about the cut tape was brought up in the "Tested" review, and you may not always be able to put tape outside your work area if you are trying to use your whole workpiece.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#65

Post by linsomniac »

janekm wrote: post #60
linsomniac wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure you understand what this is. It's not a router, it's a handheld 4'x8' CNC. If Makita has a 4x8 CNC for 200 bucks, it's news to me. :-) It doesn't have "a little map of where you're supposed to go", it has a display showing where it is going to go . Now, I don't drive my router every day (a Bosch, FYI), so I'll admit I'm not a skilled operator. But my ability to follow a pencil line with a router is iffy…

Actually it's a little of both. You do have to guide it by hand according to the map it shows, however it will correct small deviations from the path allowing relatively accurate cuts. It has two huge downsides over a regular router: you have to place marker tape (quite expensive) all over the workpiece, and it will stop working once the marker tape is cut. Also, you have to keep guiding it throughout the process so…

I just don't see a router table serving a similar need. Unless by that you mean a CNC like a Shapeoko or similar, rather than one of those tables with a fence and a router poking up underneath it.

As far as a lack of space, there's ALWAYS a lack of space at maker spaces. :-)

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#66

Post by eggy »

I bought an $8000 4'x8' router table back in 2003 and built a a bunch of stich-and-glue kayaks with it. I could cut a table of parts while eating lunch from one sheet of marine plywood. With this I may save space, but I have to be present to cut all of those parts without tiring. I doubt hand control of the shaper can beat the accuracy. It's a neat, high-priced toy for makers (I'm one), but if you are going to make more than a few things regularly, go with a router table. I also made 3D carvings or portraits by writing a python script in Blender3D for the geometry, and there's no way you could do that by hand. I really like the Shaper, and I think it will sell, but it is a niche product. It also reminded me of the time I used a projector to, project cut-out templates on ply because I didn't need accuracy, and when I did we would plot out templates to transfer to the plywood, and then cut with a hand router by eye.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#67

Post by brewtide »

petra wrote: post #34
TheRealPomax wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, but they're also operating in the "maker space", where ten people all pitch in $250 and buy a tool for everyone else to use. That $2400 buys you a tool that everyone, including kids, can use, as opposed to a real CnC machine that requires someone to become an expert operator needing to babysit anyone else who has an idea that requires CnC work. This tool has zero appeal to commercial operators. But it's _INCRED…

Is this really kid safe ?

When I was 9, I managed to chop off the last 3/16th of an inch of my left thumb with a simple hatchet.

(Building a fort...)

Pre/post hatchet moment, many many many serious power tools and no incidents.

The key to anything is paying attention.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#68

Post by oliwarner »

Judgmentality wrote: post #6

I tried one of these 2-3 years ago and briefly talked to one of the founders. It's a really cool tool, and surprisingly fun to use. I was immediately smitten and asked "how much?" The price he told me then was half the price they're advertising now, and I still balked. Admittedly I don't know the market for carpentry, but it seems like a niche product for professionals or rich hobbyists. That said though, I'd still l…

But at that price, they're well into the lower end of real CNC machine territory. This still requires hands on for "gross motor control". That's time a person can't spend doing other stuff.

With a real CNC, you plonk your board in, zero it and click Go and your parts emerge some time later. Saving time is important for the professional user.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#69

Post by Doxin »

diggernet wrote: post #55
Hasz wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sharp internal corners are hard period. CNC milling machines have the same issue -- the usual way to to just use a smaller end mill. You either need some type of punch or an (actual) shaper.

That's what square hole drill bits are for.

Those round the corners too I'm afraid.

Re: Shaper Origin: Hand-Held CNC Machine

#70

Post by gtvwill »

linsomniac wrote: post #58
gtvwill wrote: post #57

Similar packaging and probably marketing to fein gear.... Fancy case and some pretty looking tools but tbh I don't see that piece of equipment ever making it into the workshop and it barely looks like it would survive a week on-site too. 2500 dollary doos is pretty damned expensive for what looks to be a damned fragile bit of gear with very little use. Like the biggest problem to making cuts with a router is that it…

I'm not sure you understand what this is. It's not a router, it's a handheld 4'x8' CNC. If Makita has a 4x8 CNC for 200 bucks, it's news to me. :-) It doesn't have "a little map of where you're supposed to go", it has a display showing where it is going to go . Now, I don't drive my router every day (a Bosch, FYI), so I'll admit I'm not a skilled operator. But my ability to follow a pencil line with a router is iffy…

"It's not a router, it's a handheld 4'x8' CNC."

So your telling me its a handheld 4x8 computer numeric controlled... nothing? its a handheld cnc router. I know what cnc mills are having given extensive consideration to building one (bit bigger than 4x8 though as that's too small, maybe more like 2000x6000 because yes I like to build shit and timber comes in 6 metre lengths.

Unless the tool has some serious way of gripping it to the surface its milling, its gonna be generally useless for anything other than light timbers/particle board. I'd love to see it try and cut through some tallow wood or iron bark accurately. Hell even a bit of red gum would probably thrash it out.

Post reply on HN