I'm wanting to dip my toes into CNC and have been looking for a used CarveWright. I did find one for only $200, but all that's there is the machine and collets. I'm thinking I can get the other stuff easily, like the manual, memory cards and associated hardware, and bits. I also think the CarveWright will do everything I want for now...then I can decide if I want to spend any more money on this stuff. Does anyone have it? I'm looking for holes in my thoughts above about picking up the rest of the needed accessories. This one is the Craftsman labeled version and is listed as being in "good" condition. If I recall these things were about $2000 when introduced.

Can't help you Fred with your questions, but like, I'm thinking when introduced the Roebuck model was in that $2k range. I remember considering one then, but wasn't sure when I'd have time to use it with my work schedule especially since I had so much other equipment gathering dust.

 

Hopefully @4DThinker and perhaps @difalkner and @honesttjohn can weigh in with some insight.

 

You probably already have, but if not, lots of YouTube videos on the subject. I searched Craftsman CarveWright.

 

 

 

I vaguely remember seeing that machine, perhaps in a popular woodworking mag or on the web many moons ago,.   CNC potential appears limited to carving rather than profile cutting out shapes likely to keep from cutting into the feed belt. No sure though.  They mention Carvewright software used to make your designs, so you'll need to make sure you can still download and use it on whatever PC you have.  Also looks like the Carvewright expects you do copy files to it's memory card and you didn't mention if it came with one. 

 

$200 is  tempting, but even if it all works as described in the video you're still working with a basic machine that is compensating by providing built-in routines.   No idea what the power of the spindle is or how fast it can spin a bit.    Not sure what is has for connecting a dust vac to if any.

 

I'd personally ask if the seller could demonstrate it to prove it runs and show the process from file creation to cutting a small part. 

4D 

Our mailman has one and said that while he's done some good things with it he would not buy again.  Everything is proprietary, it's not fast, size is very limited, etc.  I've never used one, though, so take this as second-hand info.

Fred -  I need room to build my other Avid.  I'll sell you my Probotix Nebula for $2000.  Machine, spoilboard, T-track, dust shoe, all the electronics (updated computer and controller), monitor, a bunch of files if you can get them out of the trash bin.  I'll even throw in a few bits and simplified beginner instructions.  Total plug and play.  Haven't used it much the last few years since I got the bigger faster machine.  Don't waste your time on a tinker toy.  I'm 110 miles from Toledo.  4D, is it worth it?

 

 

Edited August 16, 20232 yr by honesttjohn

Thanks, I'm sure that's a bargain...but I'm not ready to commit that kind of money to a CNC. My biggest hangup is the software stuff. Learning it is a big concern (I have little interest in such things), but even harder for me to swallow is that it's all (AFAIK) all window based and we are a Mac household. So I'd have to spring for a capable system to run the thing. My interest in the CarveWright is it would do what I need at the moment (capacity-wise) and my hope was I would be able to use ready made stuff for the patterns. Some guys really get into all the technology that this takes...I am not one of them. But while my biggest hangup is the technology, my second hangup is I'm not sure I would ever do that much with one if I had it.

HJ's offer is pocket change for a reliable, working CNC.   Good on you, John!

Fred - most of my files are ready made.  You can buy them pretty cheap.  You can shrink, enlarge, add and subtract objects, all without having to create anything techie.  Then you can make as many as you want.  Just need a little imagination.  Text signs are just a matter of choosing a font and laying it out.  There's a lot of help on these forums.  I was just the opposite;  I thought you just scanned a picture and hit go so I was ready to jump in.  Not quite so - but if this old man can make a few things you can too.  I was so scared that I stared at the machine for 4 months before trying to tackle it.  Started with simple signs with Cut 2d and kept advancing a little at a time.  The guys on the forums have been a great help and Probotix support is right here in Georgia.  Plus I've met some great people.  I just got back from Minnesota seeing BeltraMIDave and have been to Alaska to see Scottart.  Yes, it'll take a little time, but if you get the bug.......watch out.  4d has seen me from the time I was asking about machines until now.

Thanks David, John & 4D for your insight, suggestions, recommendations and especially your prompt responses. Greatly appreciated!

 

I'm just dragging along on Fred's coat tails on this one trying to grab any leftover knowledge nuggets I can.

Dave -- Offer is open to you too.

2 minutes ago, honesttjohn said:

Dave -- Offer is open to you too.

Greatly appreciated. I truly don't have any place to use it right now. Good thing too or I'd be tempted.

Good price for a Nebula with the attachments.  Much potential with the extrusion t-slotted frame members if you're into making furniture.  The Nebula's long gantry beam though was a little undersized IMO.  Enough flex with the cantilevered weight of the router/spindle that vibration during aggressive cuts in hardwood would trigger the Z axis limit switch, and to compensate Probotix provided updated linuxCNC control software routine with an option to ignore the limit switch after homing the machine.  Probotix has upgraded  the beam on all their machines with a thicker/taller extrusion that is likely 10x stiffer.  3D carvings that are the money maker that HJ does would be no problem though. as 3D carving takes little stepover passes that don't put much stress on the spindle.  I configured the Nebula we had in our college shop with a rotary axis on the right side and 24" t-slotted width for flat cuts on the left, with the option to replace the front half of that side with an adjustable angle clamping fixture for cutting complex joinery.   Even with that versatility I preferred using the narrower Meteor we had that had less flex in it's shorter gantry beam. 

4D 

I added one more cross member when I did the T-track.  Probably should have been two, but I used it as a learning machine and it did all my stuff for over three years.  Still turns out a bunch of text signs while the Avid carves.