[madmangil]

The short version:
I spent $240 on a Mastercarving machine which I cannot get to work in any satisfactory manner. I tried to return it to Woodcarvers Supply under their 30-day Moneyback Guarantee. They refuse to take it back and want me to prepay shipping in both directions so that they can take a look at it (and probably try to charge me more money).

The long one:
Several months ago I purchased a Mastercarver machine at a woodworking show. Bob, the rep at the booth, told me that he did not make anything on the sale and that it did not make any difference if I purchased it from him or ordered it directly from the Wood Carvers Supply catalog (where he got them from). He did give me a WCS (Wood Carvers Supply) catalog from the pile and the owners name, and asked me to let him know that the order was coming from Bob at the show (if I ordered through WCS). I ordered through Bob a week or so later, and the unit came several days after that. I got about 90 minutes use out of the machine and the shaft broke. I ordered 2 more shafts and when they arrived, the first one did not seem to work. I called Wood Carvers Supply and talked to Timothy Effrem, the owner. The shaft was set up according to his instructions while I was on the phone with him. He also took my name and put me on his "users list". Initially, it worked ok. After about an hours use, the shaft broke again. I tried to install the third shaft but it could not be adjusted to the correct length. I emailed Timothy Effrem and told him that I wanted to return the unit under their money back guarantee that was listed in the catalog that I was given by Bob at the show. He refused to do this but did send me another shaft. The new shaft would not work either.
I am now left with a $240 tool, that I spent another $16 + shipping on (for shafts) which still does not work. Timothy Effrem keeps telling me that the problems are probably caused by misuse and that they will not take the unit back because it was not purchased directly from them. He offered to look at the machine if I paid shipping in both directions. I told him several times that I only used the machine to finish a piece and that I did not ever stall it. He doesn't seem to hear this. Bob told me that Woodcarvers Supply agreed to warrantee the machines and that I must talk to them about returning it. Timothy Effrem tells me that I cannot return it because my 30 period has expired and that I did not buy it from him. I told him that I only had the tool for about 15 days so now he tells me to look at my cancelled check to see who I bought it from. Bob tells most of his customers to make the check out to Woodcarvers Supply. He didn't tell me who to make the check out to (and I didn't ask), so I made it out to Bob. Bob would have preferred that I made the check out to WCS but I didn't know. Now, this "technicality" has cost me over $250 for some hardware that is good at collecting dust and nothing else! I am continually told how many happy users there are. I say that the tool is not working in a satisfactory manner. My opinion is that the flexible shaft is the weak link beteween the motor and the burr. Maybe there is something wrong with the particular tool that I have. If so, I want to return this defective tool. Somehow WCS is not a company that I want to do business with.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have heard of a few people that won't deal with them for that reason? You might contact them and let them know you will tell your story on all the forums you belong too if they won't do the right and honorable thing here! I have purchased a couple of things, one was a woodtek machine, works fine, but they missed the boat in not putting a reverse on the machine to change wheel direction, I sent them an email and they didn't even bother to answer.....be hard pressed myself to buy from them anymore......

[big_Wayne_P]

Aren't they the ones down in Florida??????

[Paul_Guraedy]

I just went out to my carving shop and checked on my foredom. I know that it was purchased sometime before 1982 and thought it was from Woodcarvers Supply. Sure enough, there is a tag on the back that shows their name and address (in Virginia, guess they moved sometime over the years). I looked at their catalog and see that they no longer offer the foredom. This mastercarver stuff is something I have never even seen. I have purchased other things (satisfactorily) from them in the intervening years. I checked their catalog for an e mail address and could not find one (not a good sign in today's world). I intended to copy these posts and send it to them asking for a response to this board. Madmangil, I would suggest that you make a copy of our responses and mail it to them by snail mail. Hi_Ho, they must have had too many critical e mails and dropped out.

I know one thing for sure, no way will I purchase from them until a satisfactory answer is delivered as to what happened, why it occured, how they propose to resolve the situation, and most importantly, how can they assure me that I will not be the next one writing the board with this kind of message to warn others.

[MASTERCARVER]

Gil and others:

There are some factual errors in this thread. For example Wood Tek is a brand sold by Woodworkers Supply of New Mexico etc. (not Wood Carvers Supply, Inc. of Florida). Next Foredom tools have been sold by Wood Carvers Supply, Inc for about 40 years and are listed on page 39 of the latest Wood Carvers Supply, Inc. catalog. The web address is listed on the catalog front cover of every issue: www.woodcarverssupply.com it has an email link to info@woodcarverssupply.com



A few minutes ago I spoke to Bob Goad, the independent Mastercarver® dealer that sold you your machine. Bob is a well known professional wood carver, teacher and author.



Your thread neglects to mention that Bob Goad has offered on at least two previous occasions to replace your tool. Also in an email to you last week I also offered to have you send it to us (Wood Carvers Supply, Inc.) for inspection.



Both he and I have had several phone conversations and numerous emails with you in an effort to resolve this issue. Slamming people and companies with misstated facts is counterproductive. If you are serious about wanting to resolve this issue, I suggest that the next step is to ship the tool to Bob Goad the dealer that sold you the tool. After he receives the tool a refund will be issued by Mr Goad.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I stand corrected....you are right about the company I dealt with being in New Mexico....thank you for the correction

[Paul_Guraedy]

I too stand corrected, happily. I looked through the catalog for the e mail. Looked everywhere but the cover. As stated, my dealings with Woodcarvers Supply (since before they moved to FL) have been satisfactory. I am glad to see your response as looking through the catalog showed me some bits that I would like to have. I now feel confident in placing an order. This episode shows how valuable this board can be to all concerned.

[Big_Al]

I hope there is a lesson learned here. He who speaks evil,so be it, no one believes him. Chinese proverb. Big Al

[Callynne]

Thank you, thank you, for your quick response MASTERCARVER! As a brand new owner of the Mastercarver Champion Set...and the reciprocating hand piece...I was a little nervous about this thread!

I just received my set Wednesday night and wanted to give it at least a weeks try before commenting in the Tool Section of this board. I had posted on there to ask for advice before ordering, after much consideration I decided to go with the Mastercarver over the others because of the larger HP motor (hubby's choice) and the great hand pieces that came with it (definitely my choice!).

It may be a bit premature to comment already, but so far I love this machine! The handpieces are WONDERFUL! It has two very small ones that you hold like a pencil, one accepts 3/32" the other 1/8" shank bits with just a twist to lock. And they just snap into the end of the flexshaft, no messing around. I can switch back and forth with no effort at all!

I've tried the big 'hogging off' handpiece and the reciprocating one, both work great. True, I've only given everything a short trial period and time will, of course, tell. I'll report back in a few weeks and let you all know if I'm still as happy...I sure hope I'll be...and it's nice to know if I have any problems, MASTERCARVER, you'll be readily available to help me out! Callynne

[Paul_Guraedy]

Callynne, I look forward to an evaluation of the mastercarver. As I said, I have never even seen one. But, as I also said, my foredom was purchased over 20 years ago and may need to be replaced in the not too distant future. You mentioned the handpieces, how hard is it to change between them? I have two handpieces for the foredom and they are stiff and hard to change (newer ones may not be so difficult). It takes a lot of pulling and for someone with wrist and finger problems, that ain't good. The larger of my handpieces takes 1/4" shanks and sometimes I don't change to it, when I would really like to, simply because of the difficulty.