Comments on: Reader Find: The Craftsman CompuCarve

by: Matt

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:04:18 +0000

I have one of these machines and think it’s pretty slick. I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated with the design software at first, but after a bit of a learning curve I feel I have a pretty good grasp of what’s going on.

I particularly like the fact that I can take digital artwork and import that into the software and create my own designs. There are a lot of patterns available but they all seem to be the same old stuff (fish, birds, logos, flags, etc). I wanted something different and not readily available (geometric shapes, trucks, nature stuff, adult themed) so this gives me a great tool to develop them on my own.

Let’s face it, this machine begs for content - it’s pretty much useless without patterns. I love the machine, it’s great, but the real power of this tool lies in the software - IT ROCKS!!

by: Bob

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:25:00 +0000

Looking for someone with a working machine that would be able to produce a plaque from photos. Please contact me at usafa09dad@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Bob.

by: Disappointed

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:15:05 +0000

My father has been a lifelong hobbyist woodworker. A few years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and it really took a toll on him physically and thus his ability to do what he loves most. He decided that he would buy a Compucarve to help augment what he is still able to do himself. Less the 60 seconds into cutting one letter in soft pine, the flex shaft snapped nearly whipping him in the face. Thank goodness it was still under warranty , right?(and he also paid for the extended warranty). WRONG. After many hours on the phone with Sears they said the part was not covered but he could pay $95/hour plus the cost of parts for a tech to come to his house to fix it. Well, he could barely afford the cost of the unit to begin with so that was not an option. They told him to bring to the nearsest Sears repair center (they gave him the address) so I packed it up for him and took it there. It turns out that store was closed down some time ago. Gee, I wonder if Sears knows. I just spent two hours on the phone waiting to speak to a human being. no such luck–just the same recorded message played every couple of minutes in between awful music. For those of you that have had no problems I say either count your blessings (or maybe you secretly work for Sears and are posting fake positive messages). The saga has just begun but I am sure that the results will be less than satisfactory. Now I remember why I stopped shopping at Sears.

by: Tom Nagle

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:46:59 +0000

Mine won’t work. Bad controller? Bad memory card? Compatibility issues with Windows Vista? All have been suggested by the carvewright support staff. I still await a new memory card. Good customer support so far, but the shipping is slow.

Finally, the machines are exactly the same save the logo on top.

-T

by: walter

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:55:20 +0000

I have had my machine for some time,I love it! But, I dont know how to use it very well.I would like to know how to do portraits. The ones I’ve done look like horror shots.I do have some learning ,memory loss. If someone could tell me how to make portraits and add words to the same project,this would be awesome. I think I could start a business with this idea. Thanks. GOD BLESS.

by: Don Aughenbaugh

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:00:36 +0000

My wife bought me a Sears Compucarve for Christmas. It did several projects and accumulated 15 hours and 9 minutes before it quit and could not be awakened. The board sensor shot craps. I returned the machine to Sears and they immediately credited me and reordered a new machine. I waited 9 days and it came in. I picked it up Wednesday evening, Jan 9 and set it to work in my workshop (Hobby) the next morning. It carved a test board for a project I am doing and I wasn’t satisfied with the result so I reworked it on the computer and started the machine again. This was approx. a 1 3/4 hour carving project and the machine quit again about 1/2 the way through. The flex cable housing was melted nearly in half. It either didn’t like the curve or had not been lubed during manufacture. I again returned the machine to Sears and now am waiting for another new one. I told the Sears Dept. Mgr. to stock about 10 machines because I intended to keep bring them back until I got one that worked the guaranteed 200 hours. He assured me that I would be given satisfaction and gave me a 5% reduction in the price for my troubles. I do think the machine has a great future and now knowing they are being made in China by the gross, understand some kinks due to its newness. I consider myself lucky to be getting in on the ground floor with Sears and am confident that I will eventually be satisfied. I do see that the software will take some learning and am lucky enough to have a grandson who can manipulate images in PaintShop well enough to come up with some acceptable pieces. I have made a total off 7 different projects and am reasonably satisfied with only a couple of them but I am not looking for perfection and realize that the shortcomings in the other projects are due to my own inability to work over the images. I have done two projects which were photos taken out of My Pictures and fed directly into the machine software (I have had no trouble doing so) and neither the software nor the machine have given me any trouble in that region. I am curious as to those who have received new parts from CarveWright. Are your machines still under warranty and if so do you install the parts yourself without voiding said warranty? From what I am reading, parts replacement may be quicker than getting a new machine and may be even better than starting all over again with a new machine with possible new glitches.

by: gene

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:45:25 +0000

I have the compu carve since June 07. Really messed up some projects until I learned how to use the graphics and design program. I have not had one problem with the maching itself. You need to remember that it is a computer controlled machine and it will only do what u tell it to do in the graphics program. I have just used it to put design work on raised panel doors and the same design work on the drawer fronts. It looks awesome! I also bought the Correl draw program and I am able to import images from that program into the compu carve program. I am looking forward to getting into it much deeper as time allows, with layering and also editing more images from Correll.

by: Dusty_Buds

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:44:30 +0000

Hi………My wife and I are thiking really hard about buying a compucarve…we live very close to the CarveWright facility but but we’re leaning towards the Craftsman. Before we chunk out two grand for a glorified router (which I REALLY want) I have a few questions..Will the compucarve make
(14′x 4 3/4 x 3/4….pine….finger joint) Crown Moulding?

by: walter

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:47:04 +0000

I order mine on friday the 30th,paid 1809 out the door. Iwent back on the 4th of sept. it was there.You need to know that after being in a coma I HAVE LOST ALOT OF RETENTION so take that for what is worth. Ilove my compucarve. If I can run this machine anyone can.Yes it took me a while to learn it ,the basics,writing this is as hard,so stop your whining.Tyis machine is going to make my life alot easier[is that right?]MY WIFE IS THRILLED. SO IT MAY NOT BE PERfect,who is?anyone walked on water lately?Sorry ,the supervisor @sears in bakersfield, ca.told me if i had any problems to call he would take care of it, i beleave him.if my opinion changesyou will know. GOD BLESS. look for solutions not more problems.

by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Hot or Not? Craftsman’s CompuCarve

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:04:25 +0000

[…] Craftsman introduced the CompuCarve last year to great fanfare, but we have yet to try one out — or hear much from reliable sources who have. We’re hoping some of you Toolmongers may have first-hand experience with one. […]

by: Pacificus

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:51:44 +0000

I’ve had my machine almost a month and I love it! There are a couple of caveates that need more publication. One is that this machine is NOT for anyone who is not computer literate and have at least minimal graphics ability. Second KEEP THE MACHINE CLEAN! Two of the most common problems come from dust. Tracking errors due to dusty infra red sensor and captive bit assemblies that do not release even with the extractor tool (I had to use a plastic mallet and wooden dowel to work the collar up and down to release the sawdust that jammed it solid). My third bit of advice is to keep Sears out of the picture. When I called for tech assists the first time, Sears had no idea who I was (I bought it from them) or what machine the “Sears Number” stood for. When I finally blew off Sears and went to CarveWright, I had answers, instructions and in one case, a replacement part in three days.
Reading through the comments to date, I gather that a lot of the disatisfaction with the machine is a result of inexperience with computers, graphic programs or not viewing the tutorials that come with the programing. This machine is not for novices. I expect that the minimal documentation and being fabricated in China account for a lot of complaints but am satisfied that diligence, study and practice will allow me to complete many interesting and (hopefully) valuable projects. So it all boils down to “Read, Heed and Practice”.

by: Woodmouse

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:37:28 +0000

I have owned a carvewright machine since Febuaruy of 06, I can tell you that while I have made some cool things with it, if I had to do it all over again I would not buy it. I have gone through countless hours of problems with it, none of which were user error. I have had three machines and the last one I got has some serious issues with build quality that I have had to go in it myself and fix.
The concept of the machine is a great one, but, I would wait until all of the bugs are worked out before I would get one.
On another note, there is a Carvewright forum for more info on the unit and its pos and cons, but any comments that are made that do not show the machine in a good light are deleted. A little bias?????

by: honk 42

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:14:57 +0000

I have been thinking about buying a Compucarve or Carvewright for a long time but I am still thinking very hard about it. It looks too good to be true. If you could give me your personal view of it and help me make up my mind it would really help. Also I would like to know how the image gets sent to the memory card (USB?).

Thanks

by: Eric

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:43:39 +0000

I’ve had one for over a month, and have had no problems other than a quick release chuck hold the bit hostage (remedied with some T-9 lubricant). Carving time on my projects is usually a couple of hours, but given the amount of intricacy, it is a lot shorter (and better) than I would ever get using my other tools. The concerns about the plastic parts are rather moot, as the plastic parts people are commenting on are cosmetic as opposed to structural, althought the cast metal parts might not be up to the standards of people who are used to traditional CNC routers. Keep in mind, that this is also 1/4 the cost (and includes software!) of your other low-end routing computer controlled routing solutions like a ShopBot.

Most of the problems seem to be user error (”I tell it to scale the project, but it doesn’t make it the size that I designed it…”), or other user difficulties (computer not up to specs, or trying to load the card directly into the computer’s PCMIA port), however there are a few legitimate problems that pop up more often than many would like. Many of these can be resolved quickly by calling Carvewright, and having them ship out a part, or assist in troubleshooting. Some problems also seem to be weather related (users in colder climates have problems when the temperature of their shop is below the operating specifications of the carver). I also think a lot of problems are occuring due to droppage. I picked up my unit at Sears and the box looked like hell. I can only imagine the people who have their units shipped have their units abused even worse.

The lack of centerline text is an issue, because that would cut the carve time down significantly on many sign-making projects. Likewise, the fact that the unit doesn’t ship with a 1/4″ ballnose bit (needed to use the bevel function, for example) is an issue, but you can use a standard 1/4″ ballnose bit, and a quickchange adapter available at Sears.

Finally, just because it makes carving easier, it does not make project design easy. There is a learning curve on the software, and even then your first few projects are likely to look like crap. If you stink at design, your carved designs will stink in 3d. Expect to invest in additional software, such as Corel, Adobe Illustrator, or another vector drawing program to get the most functionality out of your machine. Read the CarveWright forum and download the test software before you buy a machine. It’s better to find out that the machine isn’t for you (or the software won’t run, etc.) before you spend the money.

by: Robert

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:08:50 +0000

I’ve had the machine now for about three weeks, I love it, the only frustrating part is what’s called the homing sensor. I believe this to be a design flaw or defective part, because its addressed on their website (www.carvewright.com). There is NOTHING in the manual or literature about this sensor. It gives a “check homing sensor” error and will not budge. I was able to get it to work after finding out what and where the sensor was, I cleaned it but now not even that is working. If this continues though I like the way it works I will return it. As to the software it is easy and FAST, I’ve made two fairly intricate carvings and the average time was 20-35min. Others were as little as 15min.

by: Michael

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 21:57:08 +0000

Just an FYI for those having problems, make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements and is in good running order. A lot of issues customers are experiencing is due to their computer systems more-so than the machine.

On the PC side: Pentium IV or greater and a decent graphics card that supports OpenGL. You’ll also need Windows 2000 Pro or Windows XP (home, pro, media center).

On the Mac side: G3 (500mhz or greater), OS X 10.3.9 or greater

by: Digitalwoodshop

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:32:04 +0000

I believe for the money it’s a good deal if you have a use for it. I will do 911 house number signs with it. Like many, I am still waiting on the centerline text font to be re released next month.

by: GIZ

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:26:47 +0000

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS//

NOW EVEN THERE WEBSITE WENT DOWN DUE TO BANDWITH//TO MANY PEOPLE POSTING PROBLEMS IN THE TROUBLE SHOOTING AREA!!

HAD MINE FOR 2 HOURS// CALLED /CHECKED…TRANFORMER BOARD FRIED!..

BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON A COIL.. AMONG MANY OTHER ERRORS..

NOT READY FOR THE MARKET!
THE GIZ

by: henke

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:36:43 +0000

hay guess what? checked my answering machine and there was a message from the company returning my call that I made at 9:30am. Now they are calling me bach at 1:30pm.

by: henke

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:27:40 +0000

got my compucarve 1/19/07 It is being returned today. nothing but trouble. I didnt even get to carve a thing. I couldnt get it to download to the card. I called company the 3 to 4 times as I had a different problems. they would call back 4 to 5 hrs later. I even call sears and they tried to call them and they couldnt get ahold of them. also I tried to set-up a small craving and was told by the machine that it would take over 7hrs to do. At that rate if I am going make something for xmas 2007 I better get started. The small carving was only 5″ x 6″. I think it needs alot of work before its ready for a woodworker! It is now ready for a computer person not a woodworker.

by: Bill H

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:35:40 +0000

Hi John D, or anyone who has one of these machines! The Carve Wright site suggest that the machine comes with a scanner probe, I did not see this in the Sears promotion. Sears has a sale 1-28-07 and I believe the machine is $1699. with a Chraftsman club card. The scanner Probe is $299. from Carve Wright, but included ( if I read it right ) for $1899……… OF course as of yesterday 1-26-07 neither supplier had any. My other concerns are file formats supported? Any one have hard evidence of what files it will use???
They are writeing about raster formats .bmp .jpg & .dxf which should be a vector file. ( much smaller & faster than raster ). All this being said I will
be ordering mine from Sears on Sunday ( Craftsman Club Sale ), this way I
will have a year to pay for it and 3 months to decide to keep it or not. Bill

by: Bill H

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:28:57 +0000

by: Mohamed Haroun

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:51:02 +0000

Hello, My name is mohamed Haroun I am looking for a used compucarve or a machine that works like it. I am a college student I dont have much money. If any of you know where I could get one for about $500-$800 I would be very grateful if you email me.

Thank you

by: JohnD

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:53:24 +0000

Just a follow up to my January 10th comments on my new CompuCarve that I got from Sears only 1 week after ordering. Tech support is fantastic, in my opinion, if you call Carve Wright directly - quick and helpful and solved my question. Had trouble snapping in the bit holder on first use. Was told to remove and reinsert the flex shaft - then the bit snapped right in. Had trouble saving computer project to memory card. After muddling over it for a few hours and a few tries, realized the problem was a loose nut on the keyboard - aka me. It is not a SAVE command but an UPLOAD command. SAVE is for your hard drive; UPLOAD saves only the carving instructions, not the whole graphics, to the memory card that you stick into the CompuCarve machine. Also learned to UPLOAD to full size even if I get a warning that it might not fit. First try it did a reduce to fit and it was much too small. As a newbie I found the results were astonishingly good if, after finishing the carving, I hit it with a couple of coats of spray lacquer. Wow, my eyes bugged out with how great my first carving was on a piece of scrap walnut. This is going to be fun.

by: carvewrong

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:49:19 +0000

I just returned the compucarve. There were 200 beta machines made and released to beta users over 2006. The machines hitting sears now are first run production out of China. My machine was very problematic and couldn’t get a hold of tech support all day Monday, despite two emails saying they would call. To be fair it was a holiday (MLK) and they had just moved to a new office - but they emailed they would call me back twice and never did until I was at work the next day. If you are willing to accept some downtime with tech support the time to buy is now. In my opinion if you wait 6mo you will get a much smoother experience. Having said that, when this machine works right the results are quite impressive. Check out the forums at carvewright.com for real users and reviews. Also get a good idea of what you are in for if you buy the early production model. Hope this helps. I will probably rebuy in 6 months. You could scan a picture, but it would need some manipulation in a graphics program to get a smooth carve. you can also download a sample of the software at carvewright.com.