Replies

1. 
   blakeyoung | Dec 06, 2007 02:43pm | #1

   Woodman,

   I bought the Craftsman version of the machine in the summer, and my feelings toward it are somewhat ambiguous.

   The machine has great potential, but the hardware craps out alot and is is kind of undependable. I've had to send mine in for service once already, and while they were very forthright about repairing my machine, I didn't feel comfortable about having to send in a $2k machine in after only 4 months of light use...

   my personal opinion is that they should have gone through many more beta versions before releasing the hardware.

   As for the software that runs it... I am a Graphic Designer by day, so I am skilled with computer design software... so I found the software very tedious and limiting, if you don't know much about computer design software... it might not be an issue with you... but you can not import any cad, g-code, or vector format files into the program(which you would naturally assume a cnc type machine would run on).... the company says that these files will be available for import in future software versions... but they haven't made good on their promise yet

   despite it drawbacks and numerous headaches.. the machine's results can be very amazing...
   i've used it to cut and shape parts for a coffee table, cut printing blocks for letterpress posters, cut out and shape electric guitar bodies, duplicate my clay sculptures of fish profiles in wood , make canoe paddles, and cut station molds for a kayak.

   there is nothing else like it on the market and it is a really fun addition to your shop... but it will come with a big bag of headaches...
   I suggest you go on their website, download the trial software and see if suits what you are looking for in the machine... despite all the troubles i've had with the machine... i do enjoy having it...

   P.s. if you get one.... never never never never never never cut plexiglass with it...despite what it may show in the gallery on their website.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 06, 2007 02:56pm | #2

   never never never never never never cut plexiglass with it...Would you state why?

1. 
   blakeyoung | Dec 06, 2007 07:59pm | #3

   The carvewright website has... or at least had a few examples of photos etched into plexi with the machine... but in my experience i have tried to cut something in plexi and it really gummed up my machine and required about an hour of cleaning with no good results to show...the heat generated after a while causes the bit to get melted plexi stuck to the bit and it has to be burned off... as well as it throwing chunks of plexi grinds all over the inside of the machine.... the plexi on the bit turns it into a huge augerrather than a fine carving bit.

   Edited 12/6/2007 12:01 pm ET by blakeyoung

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 06, 2007 08:36pm | #5

   This is a common problem with machining acrylic plastics. Some things to consider:

   1) Material from different manufacturers sometimes has different machining properties.

   2) Go slow. Heat is your enemy when machining thermoplastics. With the CarveWright, I think that means you may have to play with the quality settings to find the one that works best.

   3) The optimum cutting angles for acrylic are different from those for wood. I don't know if special cutters with different geometry are available or not.

   4) Using a lubricant can help quite a bit. Kerosene or soapy water are the standard lubricants for machining acrylic.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 07, 2007 02:53am | #6

   Thanks. I was just wondering why. Now I know!

1. 
   captainkidd | Dec 07, 2007 09:41pm | #7

   I have had one for almost a year now. I have about 5 hours on it, mostly because I haven't had the time I was hoping for to work with it. With just after 3 hours of use I had an issue with the bit just diving into the work. I was sent another -z- axis motor and replaced the old one with it, it then started to track upward out of the work as it was cutting. I took a sample to the Woodworking show back in October where there were a couple of reps from Carvewright. They said send it in because it looks more like an encoder problem. I did so and got it back within about a week. So far I've only had a chance to make a couple of quick carvings and it "seems" to be working ok. As mentioned the software is somewhat tedious to work with. I am a CAD operator and find I get somewhat frustrated creating geometry within the supplied software. There are people who do work with it pretty well and can create some magnificent carvings so it's not exactly worthless but also as mentioned they have promised an "enhanced/pro" version of the software where you can do more and import more geometry. If that ever comes to fruition and works as promised then that would really open it up to more design work. I am also in the camp that I think that there should have been a longer beta period and that there really are some "issues" that really needs to be addressed soon or they are going to be missing a big chunk of users.B.Kidd

2. 
   Woodman880 | Dec 08, 2007 05:48am | #8

   Keeping in mind that people have a tendency to complain a lot more than they compliment, I think it is safe to say you are in the majority camp. The machine is obviously problematic and $1800 is a lot more than I want to pay to be someone’s “tester”. Actually I’m kind of proud that I talked myself out of buying the carving machine because I wanted it very badly and it was not easy for me to pass it up. However I will keep an eye on it and maybe by the time they release version 8.0 they will have it right, if they can stay in business after having disappointed a lot of people.

3. 
   Shilki1 | Dec 08, 2007 08:16am | #9

      Thanks for the heads up.  I no longer have access to an CNC, so I was considering the CarveWrightfor less than $2000.00 & a small footprint compared to a ShopBot for $12,000.00 & a large footprint.

     I think I'll practise patience, wait for others to be beta's, & find another shop that can do some carving work for a fair rate.

   Luck

4. 
   blakeyoung | Dec 09, 2007 07:52am | #10

   Well you are probably making the right decision, as I sliced my hand on a chisel while trimming a tenon last night... I looked over grudgingly at my compucarve and wished I had used the money for a festool domino (was debating between the two this summer)

5. 
   Hastings | Dec 09, 2007 04:00pm | #11

   Blake:"I looked over grudgingly at my compucarve and wished I had used the money for a festool domino".Now that's a tragedy.HastingsPS I, like most Domino owners, love the machine. I cannot imagine life without it.

6. 
   Woodman880 | Dec 09, 2007 06:08pm | #12

   You live and you learn. I’ve found that as I get older I make more right decisions than wrong decisions, but the wrong decisions will always have a way of creeping back into your life.

2. 
   Woodman880 | Dec 06, 2007 08:04pm | #4

   I appreciate your taking the time to share your experiences with the carving machine. I think the machine is a wonderful idea for those of us who will never have the talent to carve properly. I was seriously thinking about asking Santa for the machine but I have talked myself out if it for the following reasons:1. I have read the comments on the manufacturers websight and the Sears sight, and very few seem to genuinely love the machine. Many of those who do love the machine openly admit it requires lots of maintenance/repair.2. From what I’ve heard, Sears and the manufacturer do not offer an extended warranty. This is very unusual because tons of money is made off of extended warranties. The fact they do not offer such protection tells me they know it will be a losing bet for them.3. After reading all the negative comments I decided to write a very polite letter to the number one man at Carvewright. I told him I was seriously considering buying the machine and I asked him to estimate what the chances would be of the machine working for one year without any repair issues. I never heard from him. No form letter, no nothing. I would not expect the head of Sears to write me back, but I would expect someone in this little startup company to write me back.4. The machines have started to appear on Ebay. It is not uncommon to find a machine that has been “freshly repaired” by the manufacturer for sale by someone who is trying to unload their continuing problem.I plan on continuing to watch the evolution of this machine with the hopes that one day it becomes clear that the manufacturer has learned from their mistakes and produces a product I can depend on.