Show HN: Compass CNC – Open-source handheld CNC router

recipe19 · 2025-07-22T19:18:33 1753211913

It's probably worth noting that a commercial version of this exists (Shaper Origin). It's a bit pricey but is remarkably nice for a variety of tasks that can't be handled by a stationary mill. And because it's hands-on, it's also easier to catch mistakes as you go.

On the flip side, it's just much, much slower than a stationary setup. You can't really push it quickly while retaining enough control to stay in the narrow range it can compensate for. Further, because it's less rigid, high feed rates produce nasty finish.

itsdesmond · 2025-07-22T20:51:28 1753217488

A big difference between this and that is that this appears to determine relative positioning through multiple mouse-style optical sensors, rather than visually checking relative to patterned tape.

anxman · 2025-07-22T22:25:11 1753223111

Yeah IMO the Compass appears to be a more convenient design

recipe19 · 2025-07-22T22:37:30 1753223850

The reason Origin uses tape is to maintain precise, absolute registration over large distances - so that you can for example machine a pattern the size of a kitchen table.

I am very skeptical you can have that level of registration with mouse-style sensors that can only measure relative motion. I might be wrong, but it seems unlikely.

x0x0 · 2025-07-22T22:19:44 1753222784

The shaper is super cool, but a little pricey understates it.

You can get a very nice router for $300-ish; the Shaper Origin is 3k.

recipe19 · 2025-07-22T22:43:32 1753224212

A CNC router with a work area suitable for typical woodworking projects is definitely not $300 - you're probably thinking about 3018 kits, but with 18 cm of travel, that's really not enough for the usual scale of woodworking projects. Not even enough for a typical cutting board.

A ready-made unit in "woodworking" size will likely set you back $2-$4k.

starkparker · 2025-07-23T02:00:41 1753236041

Handheld router != CNC. A fixed-base 2.25hp DeWalt handheld router runs about $370. The 1.25hp Makita 700 in the Compass' glamour shots and assembly instructions runs about $130. Most fall in that range.

NegativeLatency · 2025-07-22T22:25:34 1753223134

The tape is also like $20 a roll, I realize this pales in comparison to even medium tier wood, but was sorta immediately off putting for me since it reminded me of all the stuff with inkjet printers.

sgc · 2025-07-22T19:21:46 1753212106

Looks like a very interesting project.

A little feedback: I found a video of this in action in the forum link, but it should be on the landing page. Also, photo examples of larger completed projects to judge accuracy are necessary. If none of your kits include the 3d parts (not the best choice IMHO), you should at least have a link to uploaded 3d files on a site where they can be ordered.

jrmann100 · 2025-07-22T19:13:05 1753211585

It was a pleasure trying your demo at Open Sauce 2025!

fxtentacle · 2025-07-22T21:18:39 1753219119

It looks like you're selling your own control board PCB design as part of the kit. I'm guessing that it doesn't have Wifi by itself, so that would make it an unintentional radiator under FCC rules. How did you deal with EMI testing and certification? Can you recommend any services or labs? Would you be willing to share how much it cost? I'm asking because I am considering publicly selling prototypes of my 3D sound hardware, but the regulatory stuff has so far prevented me from doing it.

blackguardx · 2025-07-22T22:47:52 1753224472

There are loopholes for kits if it acts like a subassembly: https://emcfastpass.com/fcc-rules-kits-subassemblies/

Ductapemaster · 2025-07-22T19:30:10 1753212610

I've always wanted a Shaper Origin, but the cost and subscription fee required for accessing some features always turned me off. I don't need it for anything other than fun hobby projects and couldn't justify it. Now I get double the fun: building a tool, and getting to use it! Nice work.

hbarka · 2025-07-22T19:02:51 1753210971

CAD, meet Cam ;)

I’m curious why Jupiter Notebook is involved.

WillAdams · 2025-07-22T23:37:36 1753227456

?!?

I'm not seeing that --- sounds interesting! Link?

CodeWriter23 · 2025-07-22T19:24:17 1753212257

> You can find more info and the launch video at the listed URL.

Maybe I'm a complete dumbass but I could not find a video at any of the URLs on this post using Chrome under Sonoma.

NoNotTheDuo · 2025-07-22T20:20:13 1753215613

https://youtu.be/t5xDmslfzvs

It’s on the compass home page. Admittedly the Play button does blend into the background image of the router a bit.

lindsayrgwatt · 2025-07-22T20:44:30 1753217070

Had a lot of fun building one of the demo units. Straightforward build and incredibly rewarding to build your own machine.

itsdesmond · 2025-07-22T20:52:50 1753217570

Yoooooo. I am very seriously considering buying that kit. Do you intend to provide an upgrade path between revisions?

spiritplumber · 2025-07-22T19:54:02 1753214042

Is this anything like the Maslow?

recipe19 · 2025-07-22T22:46:14 1753224374

Maslow is self-propelled using cables. It's the same goal - expand the work area by getting rid of a rigid frame of the mill - but a fundamentally different way of getting there. Here, you're the one moving the mill to follow your desired pattern, and the device simply corrects for your errors to stay on target.

robomartin · 2025-07-22T21:35:39 1753220139

Interesting project. I am sure it was a lot of work (and fun as well).

I was introduced to the general concept when the Shaper Origin came out a while back. Here's my problem with the idea:

What's the use case?

Any xyz gantry router will run circles around this approach, by far. They will be much faster, more accurate and, more importantly, hands off. There's a lot to say for clamping the material and mashing the "go" button. The pattern shown in the video on the YT channel literally takes three seconds to cut on a gantry router. And you can swap material and push go again, very quickly (or cut as many as possible out of one piece of material.

For around $1K you can have a much more capable machine. Unless the use case is cutting/engraving on items that cannot be cut on a traditional router, I am not sure what these would be used for. Then the question becomes: How many of those projects do DIY hobbyists have?

The other question is one of accuracy and repeatability. Having done loads of CNC metal machining, CNC and manual wood routing, I can tell you that nothing beats a rigid xyz machine.

So, if someone has just one or a few odd parts that cannot be cut on an xyz router, well, maybe that's a use case. Other than that, why would anyone guild one of these rather than a gantry?

bluGill · 2025-07-22T21:43:43 1753220623

Size I assume - this should be able to handle massive projects at the same price, while a gantry router would be much more expensive. Or so I would assume, I didn't dig into this to see how large it can go.