Remember this--The Sears CompuCarve machine?

[Ira]

Unemployed 6 weeks now, and I'm starting to go a little nuts. Yeah, I got a few feelers out and I may pick up a few shekels here and there doing some freelance stuff, but at 51, I think I may need something life-changing.

Remember we discussed this animal before?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ord=planer

I'll do a search, but that was then and this is now, but what was the consenus back then on it? (Curious that the Sears site shows zero reviews!) And are there comparable units to this?

My mind has been on overdrive thinking about the sales possibilities from stuff coming out of this machine--especially since it's computer based and you just push a button.

[elmo]

"You'll put an eye out kid"

[Ira]

"You'll put an eye out kid"

Oy:

I was just about to get over watching it for 24 hours straight during Christmas.

[tonyj]

I don't know anything about the machines, but I saw this competing model, Carvewright, and they have a users forum you could dig into that might have additional info. Here is the link:
http://www.carvewright.com/

[Ira]

Thanks Tony!

[eamarquardt]

Just what are you not doing for a living right now. Might be able to offer some "outside the box" suggestions if I knew what skills you have.

Hope to be of some help.

Me, B.A. Biology 1973, 4 years USMC (0302 for those in the know), 5 years P&G maintenance engineering in paper factory, 20 years engineering for AT&T (or at least what is now AT&T). Now, working was bad for my health (chronic nerualgias of cranial nerves 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11) and had to give it up. But I manage to keep busy beyond my limitations, ha. Besides I married well. She tolerates me, works and earns good money, and gives me an allowance, ha.

Cheers,

Gus

[bobhenry]

I can see it now Ira set up in some road side flea market. Kicked back on his chair against the Crab. His trusty little jack knife in hand with a huge pile of cuttings scattered about for effect pretending to carve and selling his 1 of a kind handcarved knick knacks to the snowbirds for inflated prices. Now to rush home to crank out a couple hundred more of those cute little crabs and turtles.

[jeep_bluetj]

I don't know anything about the machines, but I saw this competing model, Carvewright, and they have a users forum you could dig into that might have additional info. Here is the link:
http://www.carvewright.com/

The Carvewright IS the craftsman. Looks interesting, other forums have had mixed opinions of it.

There's all KINDS of hobbyist CNC stuff out there. I'd love a little CNC metal lathe (Think HF minilathe with CNC controls.... how cool would that be...)

[Ira]

I can see it now Ira set up in some road side flea market. Kicked back on his chair against the Crab. His trusty little jack knife in hand with a huge pile of cuttings scattered about for effect pretending to carve and selling his 1 of a kind handcarved knick knacks to the snowbirds for inflated prices. Now to rush home to crank out a couple hundred more of those cute little crabs and turtles.

You see? This man understands me. Those scattered wood shavings for effect is pure GENIUS! Didn't even THINK of that! And I can recycle those shavings from day to day!

I do Star of David key chains and I'll make a FORTUNE! Or something like, "Goys go home."

I'll come up with another slogan for the Cross and gentiles, but I don't know what to do about Kwanza.

[Rickxr2]

Ira,
Best I can tell Carvewright is the original and makes the Sears unit. Woodcraft sells the Carvewright for a couple hundred more. I did some research a couple weeks ago and found nothing but bad remarks. Most people said they broke easy. Settled my mind real quick. Here's the Sears reviews, 93 of them.

xr2

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P?keyword=compucarve

[elmo]

"You'll put an eye out kid"

Oy:

I was just about to get over watching it for 24 hours straight during Christmas.

What happened???? Did you lose the remote???? You know you can turn TBS off...right???

[Ira]

Ira,
Best I can tell Carvewright is the original and makes the Sears unit. Woodcraft sells the Carvewright for a couple hundred more. I did some research a couple weeks ago and found nothing but bad remarks. Most people said they broke easy. Settled my mind real quick. Here's the Sears reviews, 93 of them.

xr2

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P?keyword=compucarve

There are no reviews there--just a dash where it says reviews, meaning no reviews.

Are you seeing reviews? Because if so, this makes no sense at all.

[Turtle49]

Ira,
Best I can tell Carvewright is the original and makes the Sears unit. Woodcraft sells the Carvewright for a couple hundred more. I did some research a couple weeks ago and found nothing but bad remarks. Most people said they broke easy. Settled my mind real quick. Here's the Sears reviews, 93 of them.

xr2

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P?keyword=compucarve

There are no reviews there--just a dash where it says reviews, meaning no reviews.

Are you seeing reviews? Because if so, this makes no sense at all.

I see 93 reviews... 3.4 stars out of 5.

[halfdome, Danny]

I got a flyer and a Rockler Professional Catalog in the mail yesterday and they are selling the CNC shark Routing system for $2299.99. I saw one in the Seattle South Center store today and it looks like this one but has a Bosch Colt Palm Router and is made of steel & polyethylene. For some reason it's not available through their website as of today. They were too busy to do a demonstration. Danny

[signs]

Everything I have heard is BAD, if you go to the "shopbot" forum http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/discus.cgi

and do a search you will find several people who bought one and returned it because it was broke more than it worked.

While you are there look at the "for sale" section, you may find a 4' X 8' or smaller unit for not much more than the carvewright. Plus if you do find a shopbot to buy, you won't find a better bunch of woodworkers than at that forum.



Jay