Latest reviews about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

Icezman says "I really like It" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

Icezman — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:05:50 GMT

I was not sure about getting this machine after reading the reviews . But after owning it a week I'm satisfied with the way it works . I've carved trees and owls on some cabinets. Put some auto carvings on a tool box. I can see buying the machine is just the start if you want to realize the carvewrights full potential. There are bits, probes, software and patterns available all additional purchases. But that being said I was able to import graphics and design projects that came out real nice with the included software. I can only imagine all the things you can do with machine!

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xxx52 says "prepare to be frustrated" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

xxx52 — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:35:48 GMT

Have only had mine for a couple weeks, refurbished, first the memory card didn't work, then constant door open failure, now with less than 70 hours, mostly sitting idle, one of the three motors appear to have burned out. $1500 for the unit, another $300 probe and program, $300 worth of bits, $100 program to write test properly and it's delivered 5 fairly simple projects, at a cost of over $400 / piece, will have an artist carve for me next time.

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Member33 says "Love the machine but be prepared." about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

Member33 — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:07:51 GMT

I love my machine the but I am going to say you better have some know how. When this machine works it carves some beautiful pieces. But there are little glitches from time to time sensors that go bad parts to replace. If you are going to buy this machine thinking it is plug and play walk away now. Because it will take time to learn and you will spend time in Repairs. I am currently buying my second machine and would not trade it for the world but the honest fact is there are allot of moving parts that can and will break over time. So if you follow the instructions very carefully and read the Forums at carvewright.com you will have many hours of carving fun. Also machine is not quiet so if you don't have a garage buy earplugs.

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kharvey says "Great machine" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

kharvey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:46:39 GMT

A low price machine for introduction to cnc router. Small size (14X36) without additional support(length has no limit). Depth limited to .75 Most work done at .25. May be carved on both side. Support is by phone or email and may be slow. Software updated about 6 months.

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CWIke says "Learn about the machine!" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

CWIke — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:57:43 GMT

My experience was 100% positive! When buying the " reconditon" ask questions! If like me buying unsight unseen ask about the condtion. Ask the salesperson to turn the machine on and tell you how many hours are on the cut motor. How many hours are on the machine while it sat idle, then how many hours on the scanning.

Ask about the assesories like the bits, have they been used or are they still in the original packages? Ask them to do a sensor check . Have them open and close the cover. Now if you can go to the store with the CC, take a board with you and check the board sensor.

I know reconditioned should mean the machine was fixed of any errors! Sometimes like in my case it was purchased never used and was returned. The only thing opened was the flash card, so I am not sure what the person wanted the CC for?

Now when buying "new" in the outlet or reconditioned area beware! This is the display unit and unless it was under plastic so the public can see, but not touch( as I have seen in one...

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cdoc says "The Compucarve is awesome, comparable to a Star Trek replicator." about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

cdoc — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:49:05 GMT

The Compucarve is the poor man's Santa Claus Machine! Nothing short of awesome. Haven't you always wanted your own Star Trek replicator? Well for now this is as good as it gets for under $1,000. Paid half the cost of a new unit, except for the packaging looks and functions like new! With this machine and some great internet resouces (the CarveWright forum is a good example), there's not much you can't do. However, a word of advice... "Patience young grasshopper", there is a learning curve....

Compucarvefan says "Not worth the hassle" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

Compucarvefan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:53:18 GMT

Bought from outlet center, brought box home and was missing parts.

Went back to outlet center and they took information and said they would call. No call. Went back next day to outlet center and they now indicated I would have to go to the Home repair and parts center down the road.

Went to Sears Home repair and parts center and they said anytime you buy a reconditioned unit you can expect parts to be missing and that they could not help me. They also said they do not work on the Compucarve units. I pointed out that the manual that clearly stated reconditioned on it indicated what should be in the box and that the items where available on sears web site. They said they would be happy to order the parts for me if I wanted to purchase them (over $100). I had purchased the 2 year extended warranty from sears as well but that did not matter.

I ended up bringing the unit back before even getting a chance to turn it on, I can just imagine how much time I would waste trying to get the unit serviced....

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merryanne says "Don't be a chump! Steer clear of CompuCarve." about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

merryanne — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:08:49 GMT

The worst QC I've ever encountered. After I get mine back I'll be selling it for parts, with just 14 hours on it! First my "reconditioned" machine had to be returned because of problems with the crank system. Then it had to be returned because of "power fluctuation" detector problems. A new power supply just made the problem worse. Now CW won't or can't fix it. They won't return telephone calls. Wasted money, wasted time.

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Seabass says "Works but MUST READ EVERYTHINHG on the CARVEWRIGHT FORUMS!" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

Seabass — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:45:54 GMT

Works but MUST READ EVERYTHINHG on the CARVEWRIGHT FORUMS!

This beat my expectations do to all the negative reveiws I was hesitant. i am so glad I got it!

Every error I got I had an answer for becasue I read the forms and all the info they had. Machine would not measure correctly. Put blue tape on the ends of the white board - Worked perfect. Board senser would not work, wiped senser clean worked perfectly.

Roller error, blew out the sawdust behind the little washer - Worked perfectly!

Any of these things would drive someone to return the unit if they did not know the easy solutions! Everything I have read negative on this web site were user errors. There is an easy fix for everything and they all boil down to maintenece. The vids on U-Tube are nothing. They are NOT the tell all anbd some are simply worng! You have to go to the CarveWright user forum and download ALL 50 pdf's, read them and I bet everything you come across acan be dealt with. I love this machine it works great, but needs...

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jr317 says "trash trash trash" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

jr317 — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:35:29 GMT

I have carved 4 signs with the Sears Compucarve. First the Qc (quick change chuck) fell apart, I replaced it with an aftermarket chuck( Rock Chuck).Then, I got a y and z rail stall error message over and over. I returned the unit to the Sears Service Center with a list of problems. Today my original machine was returned to me. The message on the work order was "can not repair parts not available" Sears is about to lose a customer. If you purchase one of these machines make sure you save the shipping box, you will probably need it to return the machine.

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jbolinger says "I love this machine, it does so many things." about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

jbolinger — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:35:35 GMT

I am still perfecting my skills with the CompuCarve. I have done many projects and have found this machine to be excellent. The only thing that I am still trying to figure out is carving corian. The sensor has a terrible time sensing the corian. Overall I love the machine....

colejds says "Very Disappointed" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

sears-feed — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:15:05 GMT

Received my "Reconditioned" machine today. I know it was reconditioned and not new but I was really shocked to see it arrive in the condition it did. Surely when they "recondition" one they at least clean the sawdust out, and make some attempt to clean the machine up, but evidently not. This machine really looked like it had seen some harsh abuse. The machine ran about 2 minutes and I got the message to clean the Y rods. Now let's go on to the machine. I am somewhat familiar with the machine so I know how to design the projects and what the machines are suppose to do. I have watched every video that YouTube has on this machine. After designing my first sign it got 2/3 through then error codes came up. I eventually had to clear out and start over. Same thing happened, almost through with the sign and error codes popped up, and then machine locked up. My only saving grace is I bought it through Sears and I am returning it tomorrow. After I get this returned I might venture out and get a "new"......

irunslow says "Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

sears-feed — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:45:04 GMT

On the second time I used the machine the handle (gears) broke. Several days later I received a replacement. Works fine now. Not quite what I expected, but it seems to work. I just have to buy more bits and take my time reading and learning how to get the most out of it. not something you can just learn the first day. Found a few web sites that helped....

DWWilson44 says "So far great" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

sears-feed — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:15:05 GMT

I bought a reconditioned Compucarve in mid December. I took the time to review all the documentation on the Carvewright web site and downloaded an updated manual as well as the software upgrade available. I first decided to try a simple sign just to see it work. I immediately got a message to do a scan and an error message when I could not do what it asked. I went on the net and shortly after a post on the Carvewright forum I had an answer that worked. From the message it appears to me that the prior owner had made a mistake on the manu and did not get it corrected. The machine has worked very well through several hours of carving of projects and signs. This system has a learning curve that is well worthwhile to go through. It helps to be computer and software literate, and those that have some graphics experience will appreciate the software. In short, if you are willing to invest the time and chase down issues on the internet, it is a great investment. If you want a "tool" that you can......

Sue1 says "Not so great" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

sears-feed — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:45:05 GMT

I bought a reconditioned Compucarve to use in a small craft business. The software is user friendly. Like any other program, it takes a little while to learn its capabilities. The machine is capable of doing so much more than I realized. However, after spending about 12 hours spread out over a few days, this machine has yet to make anything. To add salt to the wound, it broke a bit already which cost $51 to replace. It is all good until it comes time to actually carve or cut something then it is a total let down. The machine stalls, or has trouble measuring a board or just "homes" over and over again. About 5 times, it has actually started a project but stalls before it finishes it which means you have to abort the project and the wood becomes waste. I am wondering if this machine was returned as defective and it was cleaned up and resold. I have read many good reviews of the Compucarve so it just may be that I got a bad one. I am going to contact Sears about returning it. I do want to......

Anonymous says "re-furb Compucarve" about Craftsman Reconditioned CompuCarve (CC R01)

sears-feed — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:03 GMT

I wasn't sure about this product after reading some of the reviews but I have not had any problems with it at all. Once you understand how it works (READ MANUAL and read it over again) it works well and isn't that hard to work with. I got this for X-mas and yes a couple of weeks early and had to try it out. Well I used it to make some of the gifts I gave out. The favorite gift that people loved was I bought cutting boards and carved them with Christmas 2008. My plans for this compucarve is to use for cutting guitar tops as well as necks and other parts. thank sand Happy carving. :) -Mike...