Thread: Shaper Origin - hand held CNC

There was one sold here on the forum earlier this year. Not cheap but impressive when I looked at the various videos online showing it in use, would have been mighty handy 20 years ago when we were making lots of curved tables and stuff.

Need to make sure you always have bulk amounts of the stickers on hand.

I think you’re looking at just under 5K which includes the workstation. You’d stock up on the shaper tape no doubt so you don’t get stuck.

Hi Folks.
I was following the Shaper Origin since its kickstarter days and tried to get one as part of their initial release. Unfortunately they limited distribution to the USA only.
I do now have one in Australia - with the 'workstation'. That's my first answer to your first question.
As to how I find it: it's a great tool to experiment with. It's fun to use on small jobs, quite easy to get the hang of and to use, and there don't seem to be many issues or 'gotchas' with it.
That is, except for "support" which, if you reside outside of the USA (or possibly Europe) is ... worse than bad - it's proactively hostile. I'll start by being fair and saying that Shaper Origin actively discourages anyone from outside their "support umbrella" from purchasing the Shaper Origin in the first place. The "support umbrella" is the reason they gave for why they would not sell the first release outside of the USA. For a first release/beta trial, that might seem a valid approach. But now, 5ish years later, they are everywhere in the USA - Rockler and a variety of hardwood stored, for instance, as well as directly through the online store. They have also officially released into Europe 2-3 years ago.
However, it is best to prepare yourself for frustration if you want a shaper origin and live outside USA/Europe. Even if you buy within those areas and relocate to another country which isn't, dealing with Shaper/Festool/TTL is painful. On the shaper tools website they sell a variety of interesting cutters and collets, rolls of shaper tape and their recommended double-sided tape (which apparently has the required magic mix of hold vs residue) for the workstation, tshirts etc. But if you live in Australia etc, they wont sell it to you. The only option for shipping is within the USA.
Let's say you bought a Shaper Origin in Germany (with the standard 8mm collet) and are now in Australia: you cannot buy more shaper tape. You cannot buy replacement parts or new router bits etc. You cannot buy a 6mm collet for some smaller bits. If you think that you might like to work with small detail bits (eg: 1mm cutters for a 'finishing pass' for detailed projects) which typically have 1/8" shanks, then GREAT NEWS: Shaper Origin now sells an 1/8"collet! ...But not to you! They won't sell/ship anything to you - even if you purchased the original Shaper Origin within the USA.
Unfortunately, at the moment, unless you or family/friends are doing regular in-person trips to USA/Europe anyway which allows a quick shopping trip for supplies, new bits/collets etc, you may find your potential benefits/enjoyment of using the origin/workstation outweighed by the hassles brought about by the aggressive denial of service/support.

I really did want to be fully onboard "team Shaper Origin"... but gosh they are making it (unnecessarily) slow and difficult.

I'm happy to separately talk about the actual experience of using it if anyone is interested. Of course, the weekly video series and support videos etc are good - you just have to keep in mind that you may not be able to do all of the techniques they show (eg: marquetry) or use the new bits etc they showcase - you will need overseas help or lots of frequent flier points!

Just use a freight forwarding service?

I have used freight forwarders from both USA and Germany for various woodworking purchases, and there are definitely pitfalls and extra expenses with that approach as well. I did intend to explicitly mention freight forwarders in my earlier post so thanks for bringing it up.

Personally, I got to the point of wanting the Shaper Origin enough, and having waited long enough for it to be globally available, that I found my own path to getting one. It does not come cheap - even ignoring the purchase price alone.

Sorry if this sounds excessively pessimistic. I just want to share the ups as well as the downs - and the ups are pretty much fully described on Shaper Tools website and don't need to be repeated here by me - of obtaining and using Shaper Origin.

I just wish Shaper/Festool/TTL would get their global supply and support issues sorted out. A good start would be to remove the geoblocking shipping policy from their website!

I had a quick internets scout around -axminster UK now stock them, as do toolstoday (US). Neither will ship it to Aus (Axminster will ship most things, but seem to have tightened up a bit on Tooltechnik-owned stuff more recently.). Same with rockler.

Expensive bit of kit.

I had the same experiences with enquiring about purchased an origin from the US. They just wouldn’t sell me one.

I’m hearing they may be released here soon. I had some email correspondence with shaper and they all but confirmed this. The fact that Axminster now sell them is a good sign.

I’ll look into it further if/when they come here

They have now released a new hardware model, but still no word on plans to actually make it (or any accessories) available in Australia. They also announced a new software release but they have started CHARGING for new features - despite their previous line of "buy once, improve over time"! For anyone who used their previous design software, they are also now charging for that, too!
Does anyone enjoy feeling like they've been scammed and are now just getting squeezed for more and more? If so, try Shaper Origin (if you can even get one)!