Curious about compucarve

sniper · #1 10-29-2007, 11:29 PM

Last time I posted it was about a bandsaw. Thanks everyone for their input and did get the Grizzley -- love it. I recently saw one of these compucarve machine. I realize they have been around for awhile but haven't heard anything. Have any of you or anyone you know tried one of these machines out??

sniper

BobD · #2 10-30-2007, 02:34 PM

I haven't tried it...and it looks like not many other people have either...

Bob

GabrielT · #3 10-30-2007, 02:38 PM

Well, there are 5 of them on E bay if that tells you anything. They have not met with rave reviews from what I have read. I think there is something here about them. Have you tried a search? I remember reading something about them but not sure if it was here or on another board.

GT

tsilvereagle · #4 10-31-2007, 10:36 AM

Hello,

Actually, quite a few people have tried the machine. And like pretty much everything else, opinions on it vary greatly.

I own one myself, and have started a website to share the patterns and projects created by myself, and other owners.
(But I'm not here to promote my website...well, maybe a little

).

Not having the ability to carve by hand, this machine has opened up a whole new world for me, and others, who don't have the ability.

The machine does work as advertised, much to my own surprise, and the company that makes them does stand behind the product, and offeres exceptional customer service.

If you have any specific questions about the machine, I'd be pleased to answer them.

Tommy
CompuCarveWright.com

Eddy Smiles · #5 10-31-2007, 10:06 PM

I thought I smelled an advertisement! I did! I did! I did!

tsilvereagle · #6 10-31-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy Smiles

I thought I smelled an advertisement! I did! I did! I did!

Thank you for the warm welcome

But just in case I misinterperted your post...you can welcome me here...
Hello!!

But, please let's not start off on the wrong foot. My intent was only to offer information on the CompuCarve machine, as it seems some are interested and "Curious" about it.

I knew I was treading a fine line by advising that I have my own website...but you should know, that I started it to share information and resources for FREE , as others were doing the same and selling the patterns and information.

I didn't request anybody come to me to get any information I may have to fufill there curiosity...I mearly offered to answer any question (that is if I know the answers myself) right here.

I didn't mean to blow sawdust on anyone, and if I'm not welcomed here...I'll exit throught the door I came. But will me goes what I do know about the CompuCarve/CarveWright machine, and since this IS a forum titled Power Carving, I thought maybe I could offer something that seemingly was being asked for.

Therefore, I'll make the offer once again. Having owned a CompuCarve since Nov.07, and being a satisfied owner (although I have had a few problems with it myself), if anyone has any question regarding the machine I would be pleased to answer them right here...and you'll never have to visit my site

Quite honestly, I though I'd get more slack for just being an owner of a CompuCarve in the land of hand carvers

Tommy
CompuCarveWright.com

GabrielT · #7 11-01-2007, 07:32 AM

Hi tsilvereagle

On some of the wood working forums I visit, folks have mentioned that they were having problems with wood chipping out on some softer woods. Have you had this happen to you, and if so, have you found a way to work around it?

I visited your web site and took a look around. Your signs look nice.

GT

Ashbys · #8 11-01-2007, 08:07 AM

There has been a lot of discussions about the compucarve machines On a lot of the woodworking fourms. Most of the information has come down to two issues. The machine is not really built heavy enough to really handle the work load , but at that end when you buy equipment , you get what you pay for.

It is basically a light duty cnc router, that uses vector based software. Built with a more friendly software interface than most cad programs. But the learning curve to really make it functional is considered rough.

It uses basically tapered mold sinks to produce the rough outs. Nothing that hasn't been done in machine shops for years, just at a price about 6000.00 below a production machine to do the same job. As a job base the problem is still the same, copyright laws. the cost is not in the machine but in the designing of the product or purchasing of the patterns.

It has been stated they are prone to breakdowns on some of the fourms.

I can't say this is true only some of what I have read,
Ash

tsilvereagle · #9 11-01-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

On some of the wood working forums I visit, folks have mentioned that they were having problems with wood chipping out on some softer woods. Have you had this happen to you, and if so, have you found a way to work around it?

I visited your web site and took a look around. Your signs look nice.

You just have to take into consideration what you are trying to carve, and what you are carving it in. The problem is not using softer woods, as I have found that red oak is prone to chipout even more so than pine in some cases. However, softer woods are more prone to "fuzzies" and require additional sanding. By contouring, or tapering the edges of the carved areas one can eliminate the chipout. As Dirty Harry said "a man's got to know his limitations", here you have to know your machine, and materials limitations also.

The software that is supplied with the machine does have it's limitations also. But you have to keep in mind that it is version 1 of the software. Myself, and anothers, have found that other software can be used to overcome these limitations.

So now you may be thinking $2k for the machine, but I will need other software to make it work? No, not really. Out of the box, with the patterns that are provided with the machine, you can create some pretty darn impressive carvings. And some people are satisfied with that. Others want to take it to the next level...and levels beyond that... additional resourses (other tools, software, our brain) is what allows us to do that...and this doesn't only apply to the CompuCarve/CarveWright.

Thanks for the compliments on the signs, but I can't take the credit for them, as they have been made by other members showing off

Quote:

There has been a lot of discussions about the compucarve machines On a lot of the woodworking fourms. Most of the information has come down to two issues. The machine is not really built heavy enough to really handle the work load , but at that end when you buy equipment , you get what you pay for.

It is basically a light duty cnc router, that uses vector based software. Built with a more friendly software interface than most cad programs. But the learning curve to really make it functional is considered rough.

It uses basically tapered mold sinks to produce the rough outs. Nothing that hasn't been done in machine shops for years, just at a price about 6000.00 below a production machine to do the same job. As a job base the problem is still the same, copyright laws. the cost is not in the machine but in the designing of the product or purchasing of the patterns.

It has been stated they are prone to breakdowns on some of the fourms.

I can't say this is true only some of what I have read,
Ash

There are quite a few more than two issues...(if life were only that simple

), but you are correct with two you have brought up. The CompuCarve/CarveWright is designed and marketed as a "hobbyiest" machine, not as a production machine...so you are correct, "you get what you pay for". That being said, only time will tell as to the durability of the machine as it is being sold. Again, over expectation is more of the problem as I see it than what you are actually getting for the money. As you stated, spending $6k more, you will be getting more, and you very well should...and your expectations are going to be higher, but even that machine is going to have it's limitations at some point, and you can't say for sure if your expectations are going to met either.

Yes it is a light duty CNC router, but the average person can accomplish some fairly amazing feats with it. The learning curve does exsist, for sure, but again, that applies to pretty much everything we do in life. Look how easy it is to type, and read, and respond via these forums, but think back to grammer school when we were learning our a,b,c, and writing "The dog ran." Now that was a learning curve!

The CompuCarve/CarveWright is just another tool. Plain and simple. Like any other tool in your shop, is absolutly useless if you don't use the most powerful tool you have...your brain.

If you develop that most important tool, copyright laws are not an issue, because you are creating something new, not relying on someone else brain for those original ideas (it is easy for me to say...but I too have the same "problem" of thinking of those original ideas).

Tommy
CompuCarveWright.com

sniper · #10 11-01-2007, 11:01 AM

WELL, this certainly has generated some good conversation and a plethora of information. I need to re-evaluate why I thought I might like to try one of these machines and maybe in the future I might. But thank you all for your input and participation. As for me, I don't mind the info on your web site. the more ideas that we have access to the better. SHARING is what this is all about, isn't it?

Sniper