I know at least one woodworker here is using the Shaper Origin, and I came across this website that shows how to build a Shaper Origin work station. I remembered this fellow Charlie Kocourek being interviewed by Scott Phillips awhile back about his Jack Bench.

So anywho, here is his Shaper Origin work station if anyone is interested. Also, take a look at his Jack Bench, pretty cool!

 

How to Build a Workstation for the Shaper Origin - Jack Bench by Charlie Kocourek

JACK-BENCH.COM

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Tips and Tricks on How To Build a Workstation for use with the Shaper Origin. This design precisely secures both Horizontal and Vertical work pieces.

 

Here is the link to the free plans, they are at the bottom of the page.

 

Free Woodworking Plans - Jack Bench by Charlie Kocourek

JACK-BENCH.COM

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I designed a Workstation for the Shaper Origin that is perfect for Both Vertical and Horizontal Work. Download the plans (Files) for Free.

Thanks John. The Shaper Origin community is definitely growing and the different work stations people are coming up with are pretty impressive. I’m using the tool on almost every project these days. 
Paul

It's an incredible machine Paul. It looks like it's been upgraded a few times in design since I first saw it. It's not really in my wheelhouse, but I sure can appreciate a wonderful piece of technology when I see it, and the Origin is pretty impressive all around, every time I watch a video on these, I am amazed, just completely amazed. I can also see how it can become very addictive to use, thus the reason why I aint buying one!

For the folks who may not have seen one in action, here is the company video.

 

 

I'm happy to see that the Shaper Origin, an original tool, has found a creative market to put use it in creative ways.  If it was only the price of a good hand held router I'd get one to play with myself.  

4D

9 hours ago, 4DThinker said:

I'm happy to see that the Shaper Origin, an original tool, has found a creative market to put use it in creative ways.  If it was only the price of a good hand held router I'd get one to play with myself.  

4D

The price point does put it out of the range of most hobbyist and small business woodworkers no doubt.

19 hours ago, John Morris said:

The price point does put it out of the range of most hobbyist and small business woodworkers no doubt.

If space for a CNC is an issue, this seems like a good option. IDK how much a good CNC would set ya back but, CNCs have work size limits. Not so with the Origin. IMHO, $2500 ain't too bad for a tool with all those capabilities. 

My first CNC was a CNC Shark, bought from Rockler for less than the price of the Shaper O.  If you only use the S.O. occasionally to cut out projects then yes not having a CNC continuously set up using floorspace may be worth it.  That is if you can justify the cost for a tool you only use occasionally.   The larger a CNC job gets then the need to lead the bit around will become annoyingly tedious.   The huge advantage of a real CNC over the S.O. is that the CNC does all the work.  No literal hand holding like the S.O. requires. 

4D

Edited December 21, 20223 yr by 4DThinker

I find it opens up a lot of possibilities that the shop didn’t have before. It does some operations that are not possible on a large CNC due to the no size limitations but also there are operations that are so much quicker as compared to larger machines. My son has a large CNC that takes up a good portion of his shop but he borrows the SO fairly frequently or just drives over and uses it here. Mortise and tenon work is fast, accurate and simple on the SO. Cost wise it’s about the price of a medium level table saw. When you go on the SO forums there are some people doing some amazing projects with them. There are a number of people that have built entire sets of cabinets with just the SO and a sander and the results were pretty high end. The carcasses, drawers ( dovetailed), drawer fronts and doors. There is a very large library of cut files for every imaginable piece of hardware. One of the most impressive projects was a guy who did an inlay on the entire floor of a large music room. It was Beethoven’s 5th in a musical staff that meandered around the room. The guys that invented the SO built up the concept, took it to market and then sold it to Festool. 
Paul

I saw some youtuber demonstrating the CNC he had cutting inlay details on the top of his assembled workbench. Can't think of the name right now. The CNC I have isn't easily portable, but it could be used to cut details on a floor as the Z travel will reach below the frame. Larger area than the CNC limits and you just tile the job and take care positioning the frame for each tile area.  I also have mine set up for cutting joinery on furniture parts clamped vertically or at any angle under the bit. Dovetails of any kind including half blind mitered dovetails for a 5 sided box.  I've used it to cut mortise array details on the bottom of an assembled cabinet hung inside the frame.  Nothing you've listed can't be done on a CNC and the cut files are essentially just the same . The floor job maybe being the exception, although tedious handheld router work for sure.  I do suspect the relatively light weight and portability of the S.O. could cut details on walls and ceilings and the face of just about anything in place rather than taken apart and clamped on a CNC bed.   If I was doing inside trim and cabinetry for a contractor (A job I was once offered) I would invest in an S.O. to keep handy for such needs.  

4D

A CNC can do relief work. Not sure about the S.O. But man, inlays would be a snap. And, dovetails and box/finger joints look fairly easy, too. It'll be on my Christmas list for next year. I have two sons. $1250 each oughtta be doable. 

Edited December 21, 20223 yr by Gene Howe

If I was a floor guy, specializing in inlays, man would this thing be golden!

I've done a few router inlays but constrained to ready made templates. I'd make templates myself but I'm lucky to be able to draw water.

It's pretty slick. You can do a lot of design work right on the unit itself and not involve any CAD software or computer at all. That includes box joints and dovetails.  They also have a mobile app for your phone which allows you to create files or make changes out in the shop without going to the computer. 

Paul

Lol I just posted the CNC section if anyone was using one these. Anyone know if you can use light burn software with it. Other than footprint a downfall of CNC is the cost of software. This looks pretty cool.

You can use any software that will export an SVG file. I use Fusion 360 which is free. Shaper Origin has software that cost $99 /year but it is very basic and lacks a lot of functionality. It does allow you to get up and running quickly which is what it is designed for. 
Paul

1 minute ago, Masonsailor said:

You can use any software that will export an SVG file. I use Fusion 360 which is free. Shaper Origin has software that cost $99 /year but it is very basic and lacks a lot of functionality. It does allow you to get up and running quickly which is what it is designed for. 
Paul

Thanks Paul. I guess at some point I am going to have to dabble with Fusion 360.  I have in the past but i been having trouble thinking in 3d.

When you start out with F360 just stay in “sketch mode” which will keep you in 2D. I do 99.9 % of my work that way. Keeps it simple. 
Paul