I have a compucarve machine. The software is very limited. They also keep changing there firmware. The only purpose for this is for them to make more money selling there OWN patterns. They will not listen to what the buyers ask in there forum. As a matter of fact if you talk dirt at all about the machine or software you will get booted from there forum or they just erase your message hoping nobody has read it yet.

I have sunk a good deal of money in this machine and wish I had done my home work better!

I can see where they are going with the whole software thing. and it not looking good for them. As time will tell.

The machines are also very finicky and break down often. They dont give you a break down of there parts so you have no idea of what anything is called.

Bottom line CW and a SELECT few will be the only ones to benefit from all there upgrades. As for a hobbiest save your cash and put it into a real cnc machine. Or make your own.

Some of the reviews on Sears.com were pretty scary.

Yes you are right. Here is a link to the reviews at sears on there compucarve which is made and serviced by carvewright.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P?keyword=compucarve

I was feeling bad about not saving my money for this... I remeber thinking WOW to good to be true... Well it must have been!!!

I've been using mine with no issues. The only thing I have seen is the flex shaft has to be managed. I have made plaques that turned out great.

For the money it is a great starting point. CW does leave a lot to be desired. I wanted in cheap and that is what I got.

Call it training wheels. Do you eventually get rid of them... sure, but they work. I paid $1599.00 (Sale at Sears and Toolman discount) for my machine and made 10 plaques in one order and made $300.00 profit. It did what I wanted and got the revenue coming in. Once it is paid itself back I will start using it to fund a 4x4 shopbot or the like.

I bought a Delta stand from Lowes and it lets me roll it in and out of the shop and store it. (Had to "work" it a bit to get it to fit)

With the next level being over $7000.00, I felt it was a good start. Hit the forum and look around. You do get what you pay for and the program is designed for beginners, but it works. One guy is making Guitars with his machine, so the program should be able to keep most of us busy for a while.

Mike,
I agree with you. But right now cw is making changes to the firmware that is adding limitations to what you use to be able to do. They should give you more in a firmware update not take away from you.
There are things I can do in version 1.120 that you can not do in the new 1.124. If say you want to keep version 1.120 on your system then someone gives you a pattern they made in 1.124, it will not work.. Cw is try to corner the pattern market and want you to buy just through them. In my opinion they are starting to get greedy instead of making there product better for the customer.

for some reason vectric has stopped providing ptn files direct.

so i went to cw patterns and purchased what i needed now it wont upload
with out up grade i am finding somthing fishy
cabnet

Hi Cabnet,

The 3D ptn files for the compucarve / carvewright machines are supplied by Vector Art 3D Inc which is a different company to Vectric Ltd - to many V's going on and people often get us mixed up.

We / Vectric develop the VCarve Pro, PhotoVCarve and Cut3D software and Vector Art 3D design and supply the 3D clipart models.

I hope this helps clarify things.

Tony

yes i will be purchasing your program tommorow
as i have now purchased a 4x8 camaster with 5,5 hp spindle

look forward to using your software

my site www.mcgrewwoodwork.com

cabnet