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Some of the stuff I was able to create are just fantastic. It has to be kept clean and well adjusted but once you get the hang of it, you'll love it. I bought one of these machines in April or May of 2008. I will admit that the machine can be really fussy. Since my retirement I've bought a second machine, so I am keeping myself really busy. My thought was to use it to keep me busy in my retirement, which started in July of '08. What a great machine.
On two occasions I got through to someone by calling sales (yes, they answer the sales line) but on both of these occasions they failed to resolve the issue. I've waited on hold for more than an hour on numerous occasions and not once has anyone ever answered the phone nor has anyone returned a single phone message or email. If you're thinking about purchasing a CarveWright you should know that they offer absolutely no after the sales support; I feel totally frustrated and cheated. My CarveWright machine worked just fine for 43 hours; then it stopped, falsely detecting that the cover was open when, in fact, it was not. For two months I've made a concerted effort to contact their technical support.
I have had one issue though, I had the belts roll up on me but they were cheap to replace though I opted for a better more expensive rubber traction belt from carvewright that's supposed to never roll up.It sounds like the biggest problem most people had was maintenance and to say it's maintenance free would be an outright lie, be ready to read the maintenance instructions bundled and do something like set outlook reminders when maintenance is to be performed, I couldn't believe that you are supposed to keep it greased even when it's not in use but that's the case.Overall 8.5/10 it's a bit noisy but since it's a power tool you'd expect that but it'll be making noise for a while. Definitely one of the coolest things in my shop and I would have never imagined as a kid this would be possible. Then I usually stain it or paint it.
I bought it with my AMEX so that they would double the warranty and ordered it right here off of amazon. My machine now has 92 hours on it carving mostly into plastics and poplar. I've been pretty skeptical of the CarveWright due to all the negative press so I approached with caution.
I also usually cut on the lower detail settings and then using simple sanding tools to smooth it out. For what it does (and how easily the software is freaking awesome) and what it costs there is no alternative - just suck it up and buy one. I ordered it in September so that I'd have it in time for the Woodworking Show demo and training classes they had in Salt Lake City in October.
The majority of this reviews would have you to believe I lugged this heavy machine to the show to get it fixed a month and a half after purchasing - this has not been the case.
This one is just as retarted as can be.People, I am not one of these guys who just loves to write bad reviews about everything. This machine is for the hobbiest and the hobbiest only. Trust me, its not. Which in turn means that I had to pay for a new one and was not covered under warrenty.
I wound up not wanting to listen, bought it, and have regreted it ever since.Let me start off by saying that this machine is not meant for commercial use. But its not worth the headaches. Where do I even begin with this garbage machine. People, please listen to me when I tell you this. The sales woman at LHR Technology(Carvewright) told me that 40 hours in a two month stretch is to much.Having said that, you name it, it breaks. Also did I mention that the flex shaft is whats called a "consumable item".
This product if working properly and better software, could be fantastic. It looks to me like the sandpaper belt is next to go. And I would have to say that I have only called two times that I got someone without an attitude. I have a degree in graphic design and know numerous programs. The flex shaft burned a hole in it after 40 hours of use, although I do maintain the shaft as suggested with the liquid wrench chian lube with moly. And thats only because it was the same person twice.The program also is terrible, and not a whole lot of options to choose from. I was one of the ones reading the reviews on this machine, and trying to decide if this was the right machine for me.
It won't stay straight, slides to one side and binds up under the roller.I have been on the phone, no BS, 13 times in two and a half months of ownership because of problems. Which by the way is 2 miles long. Not what the sales man that I talked to explained to me. Yet the tech department suggested that I wasn't maintianing my machine per the maintinence guide.
The CW has very, very, specific and detailed instructions on maintenance. It requires more maintenance than my VW does. CarveWright also has amazing resources like their user forum, tutorial videos and I even got a newsletter saying that they have a training DVD that you can order (4.95 shipping or something) or just stream online. Either way if your gripe is software they do a fine job of providing you with material, my dad has it figured out if that says anything - if you can't figure it out your own laziness is to blame.As far as the end products go, I find it to be pretty solid - I have around 82 hours on mine so I'm one of the more mild users.
I don't have many tools, and like I said I'm young but this thing is only a bit quieter than a router. I've been wanting to write a review for the Carvewright for quite some time now. Since I'm a Volkswagen owner I'm somewhat conditioned to follow maintenance instructions to a T, so I usually set my computers calender to remind me to lubricate and grease up the machine when it needs to be greased.And that's it, the pros far outweigh the minor cons, whether you are a hobbyist or a small business as long as you have a little bit of patience you'll enjoy the CarveWright. The quick change system, as others have said - it's awesome. The software as I detailed above, it's awesome.4. board sensor: measures the board with crazy detail, it catches when my board is off by just the slightest amount and automatically scales my project accordingly - very handy.6.
I've also done a couple of the lithopanes for a couple of my friends who have gotten married - carved them onto corian and they came out flawless.Things I really like:1. I bought mine off of amazon around 8 months ago (free shipping and no tax works for me).From what I know on the forum, I'm one of the younger people to use this machine but I'll be the first to say that the software is the most attractive and easy to use thing imaginable. it's noisy. I've seen other consumer CNC machines, and there is no compatible software that's nearly as easy to use as the CarveWright Designer Software, maybe if CarveWright were to license their software that would be a more usable machine but as of right now I don't see why you'd pay more for an inferior machine.Things I don't like as much:1. Price, I can't think of any competition for the carvewright under 5 grand. Uploading projects to a card: you never have to plug a computer into the CW and the memory card holds a ton of projects, I haven't run out of room and even when I do the card is rewritable5. This is probably where a lot of people have problems, they likely aren't maintaining the machine like they are supposed to. However if you are impatient and easily frustrated and unwilling to learn SIMPLE SIMPLE SIMPLE software maybe you're better off with a hammer and chisel.
I've dabbled and played around with other CNC machines [not on my dime] and the CW Designer Software is gorgeous and intuitive - it truly is CNC for the masses. the CW tells you when to switch bits and it's a breeze2. I usually leave my shop and just let it run, but don't fire it up after 9PM if you have neighbors unless your garage isolates sound very well.3. If you are hesitant or afraid download the software from the CarveWright website and try it out for yourself. the aesthetic: probably the most stupid gripe and one that may only pertain to me but I don't like the way it looks but in no way does that hamper it's functionality.2. They look like they'll make it over a year and other users on the forum have hundreds of hours on a single bit3. I use it for logos and detail work on panels, and it really hasn't given me any issues aside from needing a belt replacement (which was inexpensive, and they sell upgraded rubber belts so I won't have this problem again). Bit Quality, I haven't had to replace either of my bits yet and they're as sharp as the day I bought them.
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