Craftsman Compucarve Is Available Again!
Craftsman CompuCarve Computer-Controlled Compact Woodworking Machine
Sears item# 00921754000 Mfr. model# 21754
After a six month vacation the Craftsman Compucarve is available again!
In case you don’t know what the Compucarve is all about - The Comucarve is one of the most innovative woodworking machines to become available for the homeowner in the last 50 years. It is essentially a CNC woodworking machine designed to reproduce just about any drawing, picture, or object in 3-dimensions onto a flat piece of wood. I have seen customer projects that are just amazing including reproductions of antique inlays, custom molding, signs, and even 3 dimensional relief artwork of portraits and drawings.
Sears didn’t specifically state why the Compucarve has been out of stock since March, but it is good to know it’s back.
Pros
There are thousands of drawings, artwork, and projects available from third-party sources on the web. Just do a Google search for Compucarve or CarveWright Drawings and dozens of websites pop up.
It makes highly detailed drawings on wood. I can’t say enough about how great the projects turn out.
The software needed to make the projects is easy and intuitive to use.
When you go to the Sears website reviews (click on the title above to take you there) read them with a grain of salt. This machine has a learning curve and a lot of the “issues” with it are caused by inexperienced users.
Cons
There is a learning curve with the Compucarve. You need to learn the software so you can create the drawings you will use to make your project. You will need to learn the maintenance procedures to keep your Compucarve in tip-top shape. And you will need to learn how to troubleshoot your machine if it has any problems.
The initial batch of machines had issues. Of the 50 or so I sold only one out of four actually made it through the first 200 hours of use without any problems. The capabilities of the Compucarve far out-weigh the problems it has had and a 5 year Protection Agreement is available when you purchase the machine and I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE THAT 5 YEAR PRTECTION PLAN!!!!!
The Compucarve IS NOT a commercial CNC machine. I had a customer a few months ago complaining that his Compucarve was broke and he had 50 orders waiting. He was extremely upset because it would take up to six weeks to get his machine repaired. This is not the intended use for the Compucarve. It is designed for the average woodworker to take intricate designs, pictures, and drawings and reproduce them onto wood. It is great for making projects for yourself and your friends, but it IS NOT designed for commercial production work. If you want to make money doing CNC woodworking save your money and don’t buy a Compucarve. Go buy a $10,000 flat-bed production machine instead.
The Compucarve requires access to a computer. The drawing software resides on the computer. You do all your design, layout, and prep work there. After you get the drawing ready to carve your transfer it to a Compucarve Memory Card, bring the card to the Compucarve and then run your project.
If you are not familiar with computer drawing programs it will take you a little while to master the CarveWright Drawing software. It’s not hard to learn and is very versatile but there is a learning curve if you haven’t used drawing programs before.
The CompuCarve can work in most soft materials, including wood, plastics (polycarbonate or cast acrylic) and certain types of high density foam.
The box includes CompuCarve machine, (1) 1/16 in. carbide carving bit, (1) 1/8 in. carbide cutting bit, CarveWright Memory Card, starter software package, (2) 1/4 in. bit adaptors, vacuum bag adaptor, bit removal tool, hex wrench, owner’s manual and Quick Start Guide.
