7 ms·
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
by Judgmentality 8y ago
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 love to have one.
- mikeash 8y agoWhat price are they advertising now? I can’t find it on the linked page.
- Judgmentality 8y ago$2400 is the expected retail price. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/cnc/hands-shaper-origin-exclusive-review https://www.popularwoodworking.com/cnc/hands-shaper-origin-e...
- mikeash 8y agoThanks! Considering what it does, I’m not surprised, but it’s a bit rich for my blood.
- erric 8y agoSeems about on par with Festool options, and looks like they are partners.
- aaronblohowiak 8y agoAt that price they are competing with options that you don’t have to babysit, which is a big advantage if you are commercial operator.
- TheRealPomax 8y agoYeah, 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 _INCREDIBLE_ for people who just want to make shit at their community center/hacker space/woodworking group/etc.
- petra 8y agoIs this really kid safe ?
- aidenn0 8y agoI used a band saw as a kid; this is probably at least as safe.
- elil17 8y agoDepends on your kid
- TheRealPomax 8y agoWhat does "kid safe" mean? Is it safe once you explain the kid how to use it, and supervise while they pay attention to what they're doing? Of course it's kid safe. Is it safe to go "this is how you use it" and then walk away from your hyperactive kid who doesn't even want to be there? Of course not =) It's safe for any human who actually wants to use it to make things.
- TheRealWatson 8y agoDepends on the parent.
- brewtide 8y agoWhen 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.
- oliwarner 8y agoBut 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.