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rjustice
06-06-2007, 04:26 PM
Ok, after following this forum for 7 or 8 months now, I have come to the conclusion that this is an extraordinary group of people. I have been blown away by some of the posts on here whether it is the dialog, or the pictures of projects, or accessories being built with or for the CarveWright.

I thought it would be cool to see what everyone considers their area of expertise.

Personally, I am a skilled CNC machinist in the plastic injection mold making field. My strengths lie in Mechanical Engineering, CNC programming, and CNC machining. I manage these areas in a small 30+ man shop. I have 27 years of on the job training :D

Ron

cycollins
06-06-2007, 05:04 PM
...I'll pony up.

I'm a 20+ year vet of the Silicon Valley. I've been a software engineer with NASA (Ames Research Center), Apple, Electronic Arts and a half-dozen start-ups whose names you wouldn't know. I'm currently at Adobe Systems, working on the 3D features in the high-end versions of Acrobat and I had a hand in the newer 3D features in Photoshop CS3. My work has always centered around interactive graphics (almost always 3D), and the complex data structures that are involved in display and optimization in real-time.

I have no rational explanation for my enthusiasm for the CW machine, but mine is down right now with a broken traction belt and I'm going out of my skin. Before this, I had never threatened a piece of wood with a tool and now because of the machine, I'm friends with all the lumber and hardware stores in the greater Bay Area, I'm developing something you might recognize as a shop in my garage and I actually bought a band saw recently. I've seen lots of 3D printers at trade shows and they're interesting to me, but there's something very exiting about the combination of 3D data and the traditional medium of wood that has really gripped me (by the pocket book). My ultimate interest is to extend my amateur interest in Egyptology, by making replicas of wooden antiquities.

Cycollins

pastime106
06-06-2007, 07:46 PM
I am by trade a full time law enforcement officer in a county that boarders DC (Yes, I stay Busy). Have been for about 25 years now.
I am skilled in photoshop (Thanks CY :-) as well as CAD, web development, 3d rendering, photographic manipulation, editing, and other graphic intensive programs. I built an opperate a small milling machine and have a "home workshop" that NASA would be proud of. The CC seemed right at home here. The CC is a true time saver as I now can actuall see the results in hours not days. In the spare time I raise quarter horses here on my farm and when the sun sets I can usually be found with some type of musical instrument in my hands.


Your turn!!!
Tom

pkunk
06-06-2007, 09:57 PM
I am humbled. :) I'm a cabinetmaker. I make a living making other peoples dream kitchens & baths. Most of the pictures I have are of the simple jobs, because the big, extravigant, real dream ones are usually trashed, & full of dirty dishes by the time I get my camera there. In a prior life, I was a well driller, managed a ski areas water and wastewater systems & their building maintainence crew. I've built my own home (31 years ago), shop, garage, & live quietly miles off the main road.

cajunpen
06-06-2007, 09:57 PM
I've been a Policeman since 1968 and STILL have 2 years to go before I hang it up. I am working on my 2nd pension right now. I work for the State of Louisiana, as a Lieutenant. I also operate a website selling Fine Writing Instruments (at those prices, I hate to call them ink pens). I've been selling online for 10 years now. It started out as a way to supplement my income so I would not have to work off-duty details - it is now another full time job.

I have been an avid woodworker most of my life - I have a shop that like most of us, is far too small for the equipment. I finally have everything that I think I will ever need, except a jointer (yeah, I know that should have been one of my first purchases). My wife refers to me as an Avid Tool Collector, not a woodworker (based on the number of projects I actually finish). Well, that's my story, what's yours?

eagle1
06-07-2007, 12:02 AM
A little Bio about me …seems as if I have done a lot of different things in my life. My first love has always been with woodworking of some type. Been doing it now for 40 some odd years.

Got a degree in electronics when I got back from Nam, worked in the computer field for many years. Then I taught at a private college, web design, computer repair, graphic software, and Chair of the Business Office department.

Was self employed (home building from the ground up) some years ago which led me into remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, cabinets, and later into wooden furniture design and building.

Currently I am a Facilities Maintenance Engineer with Bass Pro Shops, which is the best position I have ever had. Just love it, and I get to display my CW work in the fishing, hunting, gifts, marine departments.

Like Ron said, I also feel blessed to be part of the group, I do enjoy the post, information, patterns and the over all community involvement.



Thanks Ron for starting this thread, looks like a lot of talented folks out here........


Dean

DDV
06-07-2007, 01:14 AM
I thought it would be cool to see what everyone considers their area of expertise. Ron

Guess I'll try this again, didn't show up first time!

Ron: You know what a expert is don’t you? An ex is a has been, and a pert is a drip under pressure.

In January of this year I retired after having worked for the same machined parts manufacture company for 43 yrs. The early years was interrupted for four years by duty in the US Navy, two of those four years in a shore based air borne early warning squadron covering the area from the DEW line to the south-east Asia area. After four years active duty I spent eight more in the Navy reserve. I have been a machine operator, set-up man, line foreman and machine rebuilding supervisor for screw machine’s multi-spindle and single-spindle, lathe’s’ grinder’s, broach’s, drilling machine’s and others. Those machine’s run from manual/cam operated, NC operated (tape), CNC operated to hybrid manual/PLC machine’s. When I started working for this company it had, including me, five people and when I retired it had one hundred and twenty-three people. As a hobby I ran a restoration business restoring English sports cars for twenty-five years. Ten years ago I sold off that part-time business and expanded my woodworking shop. Few American’s know that most English sports car up to the early 1960's contained many wooden parts, that’s why I said I expanded my woodworking shop. So, I guess, I can say that I’ve been doing woodworking for over thirty-five years. An been a hard-headed do it myself type all my life. But what still amazes me is that one can sit at a key board and communicate around the world in a matter of seconds. The Internet has come a long way from the DOS command days. What is nice today is that I can take a week to do what I use to do once a week.
DDV

Hawg_man
06-07-2007, 05:18 AM
I cut my first metal when I was 14 in a Machine Shop Vocational class and received 2000 hrs of training..........I have been a machine operator, Foreman. Tool Engineer, NC/CNC Programmer, Electronic Repair on NC/CNC machines, Production Manager and Plant Manager for a 450 employee air tool company. I retired in 2001 and needed something to enjoy so took up woodworking as my hobby. I bought my machine in Feb. 2007 and love it.
This blends all my hobbies as I also am a semi tallented artist and still have my first Timex/Sinclair Computer along with my first desktop IBM PC jR.
I Enjoy sharing Knowledge and learning from the many talented members of this forum............When I retired I could no longer find young machinist as it seems they have been taught dirty hands mean you must not be able to make it to college.
Better stop here as I tend to ramble when it comes to our future craftsman
and American Industry.

At 66 I'm still learning.................and vertical

Bob;)

Kenm810
06-07-2007, 07:18 AM
In the late 50’s and early 60’s I worked my way through School for find Arts, repairing art works from Europe and Africa that had been damaged in shipping for dealers here in the States, along with a few sales of my own art in a couple galleries locally. (Starving artiest you know.) Then won a national lottery along with a lot of other guys, (I was drafted) started out as an Army Medic, 6 years later I was teaching medical and surgical technology and was a Military Administrator to a Civilian Hospital. After that stint, I had to find a way to make a living again, so I tried my luck at acting with a summer theater group, lots of plays, stories, Shakespeare and the like, but not much money. Finally they decided to try some musicals, Fiddler on the Roof was popular then, and we all tried out for a part. Well after a day and half of hearing all of us singing our heads off. (They made me the lighting guy) thus ended my theater days. Next got a real job and went in to Plumbing and Heating, finally started earning enough for decent living, and opened a wholesale jobbing house for the building trades. After 15 years of sales and paper work I was bored out of my head. Cabinetry that’s it I decided to become a cabinet maker, built kitchens, baths, entertainment centers, drafting tables, you name it after another 15years, cabinets and furniture was coming out of my ears. Luckily I had snuck in sometime to go to school for electronics and started designing passive sonic and inferred alarm components, some still being use today. That and with a back ground in plumbing, heating, and building lead to designing a computer based operating system to control the environment in new homes or commercial building for Numen Computer co. in Ann Arbor, Mi.. Also found time to learn Gold and Silver Smithing, and joint the Gem Carvers Faciters, Lapidary Guild. After building a couple of new homes and rising a family with my wife Barb, --- finally 15 years ago I was able to get back to my first love Fine Art and Antiquities. We have a 28000 sq. ft. environment controlled building with 3 shops and 3 studios, 16 and 24 ft ceilings so the 10 ton crane that can run the length of the building (We get some heavy art). We have air ride climate controlled tucks that pickup and deliver art all the country. I guess our, what you might call expertise is in the restoration, display, and storage of Fine Art, antiques, and Antiquities from all over the world. -- First Emperor Chin’s Terracotta Soldiers from China, Bronze oil lamps from King Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem, Glass and Gold Jewelry, and all manner of antiquities from the Old Kingdoms of Egypt, Weapons and Uniforms form the Napoleonic Wars. Plus art works of all the Masters through the centuries down to the present, and everything in between. And yes we do have vaults and a ton of state of the art security. So you could say I’ve had 40 or 50 years of on the job training to love and enjoy the work we do, and teach our apprentices the expertise to do the same.

Gman_Ind
06-07-2007, 07:38 AM
I started working when I was 15 delivering papers, I have not slowed since.
For a while I dealt poker and was a pit boss at a tribal casino to help pay for college. I worked as a carpenter part time after that. I went to college, then went to work for a furniture hardware company as a draftsman, hoping to move into an engineer position. After a few years I had the drafting process semi automated so a chimp could do the job. I bought an Intergraph Microstation cad system with IRAS add on package, I scanned design sketches (raster images) and placed on a title block with dimensions and production notes (vector). I would layout full size sheet metal stampings for the pattern makers. I had extra time so they shared me with the IS department. I had 2 sets of boss' 2 desks 2 phones, but still 1/2 a paycheck.
I now work at a community college IT department and do remodeling/built ins and cabinetry on the side.
I built and operate a small excavator business, I have a dump truck, skid steer and small backhoe. I specialize in precision small work. I often actually dig inside buildings excavating footings for CNC equipment. I recently was commissioned to sink a trampoline flush with the ground.
I also still support a CNC based manufacturing company I network the machines and keep the PC side of these machines humming.
Did I mention the custom sign business?
So expert at nothing but lots of experience. ;)

hray
06-07-2007, 11:17 AM
i am just a old disabled vet who loves shape wood clocks large and small
foks love my bible boxs:roll:

mtylerfl
06-07-2007, 11:31 AM
i am just a old disabled vet who loves shape wood clocks large and small
foks love my bible boxs

Hello hray,

Do you have any pics you could post of your Bible boxes and clocks you made? We would love to see your work!

DocWheeler
06-07-2007, 12:14 PM
Several of the first posts intimidated me so I shied away.

I was small town boy that learned about tools early from my Dad. Carpenter while in high school and then an ironworker/marriage/family. Worked myself up the various ladders to “Business Partner” and City Councilman.
On my thirteenth wedding anniversary (at 33), I was struck on the head by a brick (one of 50 or so from the twelfth floor). The brain injury resulted in the loss of use of my legs and left arm (most everything else was also affected, I still miss playing the guitar and being able to sing well – small stuff). While adjusting to my “new” life and trying to maintain my family, I got a Ph.D. in psychology. I worked in that field for awhile but didn’t like it, I like to create things – designed and built several homes for myself over the years.
I took some Computer Science in college and liked it, so I taught myself some other languages and ended up with a County government where I plan to retire next year at 70 (after 23 years of writing/maintaining programs). Note - Semi-retired, went back three days/week.
I have always had a shop that I keep too messy; metal and wood tools in a basement shop of about 900 square feet. I feel pretty good about my abilities to work iron and most wood, carving is new to me.

As others have stated, I’ve been around a little bit, and I still consider myself a Craftsman.

Ken

rjustice
06-07-2007, 03:14 PM
Several of the first posts intimidated me so I shied away.



What an amazing story... You have got to be kidding about being intimidated?... Beyond the talented work you have shown, your story inspires me.

Personally, I just feel a bond with this incredible group, and am sitting here picturing where everyone came from, and what got them to the point of meeting here. Ok, maybe im a little wierd, but this is really cool stuff to me. I really like what is getting posted !...

Keep it going, Let us get to know you...

By the way, if you dont think anyone is interested, why has this been viewed 292 times in less than a day??? :)

Ron

b.sumner47
06-07-2007, 04:09 PM
sorry doc that I didn't get back to you sooner,will talk about that later.I too am in a wheelchair,as a para-medic I went down some stairs and 1 bad operation latter here I am.I lost my right hand back in 68,ind.accident.grew up with my dad doing woodworking projects.love the smell of fresh wood.not so much red oak.bought the CC in jan.and have not looked back.This is one of the nicest group of people to boot,so willing to help.

oldjoe
06-07-2007, 09:31 PM
All this time I have been reading these postings thinking I was going to be one or the old ones of the group and I don't mean that disrespectfully hats off to all of you.
My story doesn't even compare to all the accomplishments you have all achieved. But there is one thing that I am still proud of today and that is my first wife left me with 3 young children 17 years ago to go sailing with the Captain and I raised all 3 by myself. I now have a new wife and daughter that is 10 and life is great with them and the other 3 love my new wife and daughter.
Now for my expertise I only have one and that is I am considered a master tube bender. Yeh I know how to bend a tube steel, stainless copper and brass all shapes and sizes from .187 to 5.00". I am currently employed as a proto type and special projects person I also design and build press dies and weld fixtures. The go to guy of the shop so to speak.
My grandfather who I never met he was killed in a industrial accident was a carpenter wood carver so I think that is where my interest in wood comes in. Course he used hand tools and smarts and I use a CC and power tools to my work.
I enjoy creating things out of iron as well as wood and try and incorporate both in anything I build I even know how to hammer out a rose out of iron. Not quite like the old blacksmiths but something easier and more practical,
Well I have bored you long enough now it is someone elses turn

Jeff_Birt
06-07-2007, 10:10 PM
Well, I've done several diffrent things over the years. I started out with an education in Industrial Electronics (interestingly enough, I grew up in the same area as the OP, Ron, and when to school just down the road from him). I spent abut 10 years working on copiers, printers, computers etc, worked my way up from tech to service manager and got super bored.

I then got into industrial automation and built, worked on and designed maintenance programs for automated welding and cutting equipement : custom stuff, robots, seamers, plasma/oxy fuel cutting tables, etc. It was a great line of work, got to travel around Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas and meet a lot of grerat, hard-working people, not to mention I got to build stuff with PLC's, robots, weld controllers and 1200A welding power supplies :p . The company I worked for was being sold and it seemed like a good time to choose what I was going to do next rather than hang around and get the shaft (and it turned out to be a good choice).

I wanted to get back into component level electronics so I went to work for a small local electronics manufacturer. That turned out OK, but I wound up being more of an manufacturing engineer, put in an SMT line, designed test fixtures, etc. So, now (last five years) I work for the University of Missouri - Rolla, as a research engineer. I design and build test aperatus for research projects, teach the lab sections of several classes involving machining, CNC, PLC's, etc. I've also been working on a bachlors degree for the last few years (which would have been a lot easier to do 20 years ago ).

I got my love of woodworking, metalworking and trying to fix anything electrical and/or mechanical from my Dad (and Grandad). My wife has a knack of keeping me busy learnign more and more about woodworking by buying old stuff and sayingsomething like, 'Hey, I bought this old chimny cupboard can you turn it into a wardrobe?'. The CompuCarve/CarveWright was a perfect fit for me as it merged all my main interest into one machine.

I have greatly enjoyed reading this thread it's very interesting to get to know the folks we talk to on here everyday.

castingman
06-08-2007, 08:32 AM
Well, here we go, I have been in the foundry since the tender age of 13, it will be 40 years this monday. I was tought by my father and grandfather. We sold the company in 1982 and i got it back in 92. I got into woodworking buy seening the patterns made buy the local pattern makers. In 2008 i will be master of the local masonic lodge, Of all the things i have tried i find woodworking the best way to blow of stress. I have a pattern here for a crankcase that fits 1907 to 1920 rolls royce silver gost. It is the finest peice of woodwork i have ever seen, [ it came from england the only one in the world ] . Buy the way most of my work gets cast in aluminum. cajunpen, i started makeing fine writing tools as well, i would like to see your website.The fourm is great THANKS MICHAEL

HandTurnedMaple
06-08-2007, 08:40 PM
Not an expert in anything, true jack-of-all-trades:

Cuban Linguist
Vehicle Mechanic
Cook
Computer Programming Student (did not complete)
Telephone Customer Service for Gas and Electric Utilities
Service Writer
Associate Computer Programmer
Vehicle Service Dispatcher
Vehicle Mechanic (again)
Calendar Salesman
Electronic Engineering Student (did not complete)
Self-taught Woodsmith
CNC Programmer/Carver (CW-style)
Model Railroader

Geez, am I qualified to even read these forums?!?!

Hanna
06-09-2007, 02:37 AM
Wow, you people are all very accomplished in your lives. Very impressive.

I'm afraid I don't have such a list of accomplishments to present. I spent my life married...now widowed, raising 5 wonderful children and supporting my husband in his various enterprises...ranching, horseshoeing, contract mail route, plus a million other things.

I now have 7 fantastic grandchildren to spoil utterly rotten and time to do some things I want to do.

I have always had a creative streak, but never the time or resources to do anything about it. The CW is the perfect outlet and learning Corel is a bonus I love. I stumble and stutter a lot, but I am making progress, thanks to the help of many on this board, so I am happy.

cajunpen
06-09-2007, 03:30 AM
Wow, you people are all very accomplished in your lives. Very impressive.

I'm afraid I don't have such a list of accomplishments to present. I spent my life married...now widowed, raising 5 wonderful children and supporting my husband in his various enterprises...ranching, horseshoeing, contract mail route, plus a million other things.

I now have 7 fantastic grandchildren to spoil utterly rotten and time to do some things I want to do.

Hanna, your accomplishments are outstanding - wife, raised 5 children and spoiling 7 grandchildren - that is certainly an outstanding accomplishment. I applaud you. My wife and I will celebrate our 40th this coming January - whatever little I have accomplished would not have been possible without her supporting me. Carve away and have fun:p

Jon Jantz
06-09-2007, 09:17 AM
Well, I guess I'll go next... *clearing throat*

I'm kinda like some have said, a jack of all trades, master of none....

I started working on the crew of my dad's steel building business when I was 17... so I learned to weld, construct things out of steel, and what it feels like to be cooked alive.. (try putting on a shiny tin roof in Pensacola, FL when it's 103 with 98% humidity) Since I have no fear of heights, and would always volunteer for the job that required running around on steel that's not bolted down 30-40 ft. in the air, it's probably good I quit doing that work after about 5 years.

From there, like Jeff, I went to school for Industrial Electronics. During this time I worked at Audio Plus, a home alarm and car audio store... so I know how to run wires in walls, install home entertainment and alarms systems, install car audio systems, and a lot of other stuff I probably won't ever use much again in my life...

After completing IE school, I started working for a company that owned a sign shop and also a video wall company... Video walls are those big video displays you see that are constructed from stacking a bunch of rear-projection units together. The bezels on the sides of the screens are very thin so it makes a near seamless picture... anyway, you can program them to do all sorts of cool things, and I worked as a technician, travelling all over to set these things up and program them...

This was a fun job, because we rented it to all kinds of clients... tradeshows, sporting events, sales meetings etc. A few of the fun jobs... CMT Music Awards, Anheuser-Busch booth at the Inter-Bev trade shows, Internet World Show booth, set it up for Carolina Panthers games in Charlotte probably 20 times, Childrens Miracle Network Telethon, the Olympics in Atlanta, GA, plus a whole bunch of other cool places, like sales meetings in resorts, etc.

When I wasn't on the road, I would work in the sign shop, where I learned the finer points of CorelDraw, signmaking, and graphics design. After a few years, the Video Wall/Sign Shop company went out of business from trying to get too big too fast... and one of the other workers there and myself started a sign shop, Snappy Signs and Graphics.

For equipment we had a vinyl cutter, vinyl printer, color laser copier, dye sublimation printer, id card printer, laser engraver, screen printing equipment including screen making machine, large conveyor dryer, 6 station screen printing machine and other various equipment. We did vinyl signs, fleet, police, and race-car graphics, large lighted signs, banners, business card and brochure printing, screen printed signs, screen printed shirts, heat pressed shirts and various other items, plaques, trophies, and about a million other odds and ends...

I could write a book on having a business with a partner, and most of it would be negative so I won't go into all that here... suffice it to say that after about 5 years of doing most of the work, while he went out and got a second job that led to him very seldom showing up at the sign shop, but still taking money out..... I finally tired of it, and we sold it out...

From there I went to work at a computer sales and installation as a network technician, computer tech and sales person... enjoyed this work but after Hurricane Ivan hit Pensacola head-on, my dad called begged me to come back to work for his company, since he was in dire need of help. So I returned to Triple A Steel, and began to do all the CAD work. Currently that is where I work and I draw all the blueprints, pull the permits, help with the estimating, as well as manage a few of the projects. I love it and wish I'd come back to work here a long time ago. I still have a sign business on the side, Snappysign.com, and actually do quite a bit of sign work.

And in the midst of these jobs, I've managed to pick up a few hobbies. I've raced dirt track cars and karts for a few years, worked on a pit crew as a tire changer for a regional Nascar race team for a year and a half (travelled all over the South to racetracks on the weekends), took up kiteboarding, played league softball, flown R/C airplanes for about 15 years, got quite a few hours of training in towards my Private Pilot license, and the most time-consuming of them all!!! MY CARVEWRIGHT MACHINE!!

/wasn't planning on writing a book
//don't blame you for skipping it

DDV
06-09-2007, 07:22 PM
Hanna, your accomplishments are outstanding - wife, raised 5 children and spoiling 7 grandchildren - that is certainly an outstanding accomplishment. I applaud you. My wife and I will celebrate our 40th this coming January - whatever little I have accomplished would not have been possible without her supporting me. Carve away and have fun:p

Could Not have said it better!!

DDV

eagle1
06-09-2007, 08:18 PM
Hanna,
That is what I CALL A FULL TIME ROUND THE CLOCK JOB. Qute an accomplishment if you ask me. Glad you are having fun with this forum and enjoying your CW machine.

benluz
06-09-2007, 09:17 PM
Hello....okay here is the condensed version.When about twenty I took a job as an inspector working for Link simulation's systems division of the Singer company ,where we built nuclear power plant simulators as well military simulators for subs and aircraft.While working there I started attending a local college with a major computer science.To decrease the commute and to get away from a relationship gone bad I took a job at a local millwork company while attending college.While working for this company I gained knowledge of fabricating double hung custom window ,exterior wood doors arch casings and jambs and all types of radius work.I met a cabinetmaker while working there and we decided to go into business.I quite school and soon I was up to my neck in custom kitchen work as well a raised panel wall system's for hi-end offices, many late nights and I was loving it.Later that year I got married to my one and only wife Sandi. A few years went by and I added a woodmizer sawmill and kilns to my operation. Now about this time my wife became pregnant with my son and a family was born a few years later a daughter was also born.By this time custom kitchens had became the main focus, but the long hours, coupled with the need for family time was taking it's toll......it was time to cut back.Always fascinated with figured lumber I turned to that as my main focus already armed a with a kiln and sawmill, I milled the most unusual stock I could find and found a niche with guitar makers or luthiers as they were called, life was good once again,business was booming .It is during this time that I discovered a carvewright through one of my customers ,I rushed to get one .Very impressed with the quality,My mind began to wonder.... what a large machine could do for the cabinet side of the business ??? so as I write this I'm a week away for delivery of a full size CNC with a tool changer ,4th axis and a digitizer.With so many ideas ...there's no telling which direction I'll go next ,there are so many possibilities with this machine.I will continue doing custom commercial cabinets, because there is where the money lies, but there are so many other avenues to explore as I go forward on this new endeavor.I will keep you posted !
Ben

Julie Coffey
06-10-2007, 08:34 AM
I started life as a respite caregiver for my father who had cancer so my mom could work. That was at the age of 13, from there I moved onto my grandma and various seniors in need in the parish/neighborhood. My specialty was hospice care.

At the age of 18 I married a USAF airman we moved to the UK, where I apprenticed under a Master Woodworker for 3 years learning hand carving. Four children later on our return to the states and after 13 yrs of being 'in' Gramm-Rudman sent us on our merry way. Adjusting to civilian life didn't go well and we divorced I got the kids and the mortgage he took our 20k shop worth of tools (1990's $). He married again and decided that he didn't need to support us so I opened a licensed Adult Family Home that allowed me to be at home with the children and still keep us off of welfare.

I remarried years later had my fifth child and slowly rebuilt my shop to where it is now. I am a 30 yr wood/leather worker and have just begun my new life in metal. I have a passion for Medieval Ecclesiastical Art and recently became the official metalworker for the Celtic Episcopal Church of North America. A multi-media artist I'm also a apprentice blade smith in the ABS I'm working towards passing my performance test. I also raise Imported Great Danes and am a licensed skunk breeder (for pets), and LIVE to catfish.

I'm a PROUD mom of five happy, productive and loving children and about 26 'adopteds'. A first time grandma::BIG SMILE:: I've had an 'eventful' but blessed life. My way of looking at it life is like metalwork it takes 'heat' and 'beatings' to create something special.

Next....;)

poteetjr
06-12-2007, 12:55 PM
Well... I am an instructor/teacher in the USAF; I teach young guys how to refuel other airplanes in mid air (like on the movie "Airforce one" without the fire ball). I have degrees in aviation operations and military science. I have been doing this for 8 years now and love it. I got the Compucarve to help pass the time on the weekends when I have nothing to do. With the help of Jon Jantz I have used the system to make some military patches for myself and friends. When I am not flying or woodworking, I spend time with my wife at two daughters enjoying my time stateside before I head back over to the sandbox in a year when I finish my time teaching.

rjustice
06-12-2007, 03:01 PM
poteetjr,

Welcome to our forum, and thank you for your service to our country! Everyone is eager to be of help if you ever need it.

Happy carving!

Ron

leesheridan
06-12-2007, 04:10 PM
Well my first love was flying. And after being accepted in ROTC at San Francisco State to start in the fall of 1970 I thought I was set for choppers and Vietnam. But something about ROTC, San Francisco, and 1970 just wasn’t going together so the hippies got the program cancelled. Well my number on the draft was 17 and they were going to 125 that year. So, I went Air Force. Computer programming is were they put me, so I would look out the window at the Buff’s, KC135’s and T29’s and the occasional Black Bird that didn’t really exist at the time. After that I managed a lumber/hardware business. I am now retired from the Dept. of the Navy where I worked with every branch of the military and have worked on about all of the missiles in the Navy arsenal today including the Tomahawk. I have also worked with several other types of explosives. Ever since I was 15 I have worked construction on the side. I had my own bath/ kitchen remodel business for several years in central California but let it go due to not enough time in the day. After retirement in southern California I kept looking at the bear property we had in northern California with the thought of building a home on but I got tired of the left wing California tax robbers and settled on Oregon. So we cashed out of California and bought an 80-ac ranch in Oregon. The first thing we did was sign a contract for a 30x40 shop to be built for my toys and a place for me to hide. I raise cattle on the side to keep my blood pressure down and red meat intake up. I hunt, fish, shoot, and make stuff for the grand kids, wife and church. And a small upscale gift shop in town that wants all I can give them that I make in wood. I am currently enjoying growing older accept for all the new pains. I now find my time consumed by the lathe and the CC. And I would like to think all that have helped me here in this forum when I have had questions.
Next?!?

Vashon
06-12-2007, 05:24 PM
Unless you consider driving a bus expertise...:p

Needed a job, and started driving a transit. Thought I'd do it for a year or two, and here it is 27 years later. :oops:

The problem with my job is, it's pretty darn pleasant and well-paid. State of the art $200K vehicle. Indoors in crummy weather, outdoors in nice. Great view out my office window, cushy $2K Recaro seat. Lots of nice passengers to goof with. Haven't even seen my boss in years. No good reason to quit.

Except now, my pension maxes out in 3-4 years. Still not necessarily a good reason to quit. If I wanted, I could drive for another 20 years, but... I'm starting to think it would fun to segue into something different at long last.

So looking ahead, I've built myself a nice shop full of tools, not so much for the income potential as for the activity and creative exercise. The CW is intended to spice up my otherwise mundane projects.

eagle1
06-12-2007, 05:31 PM
Vashon,

Welcome to the group. Driving a bus for 27 years, and puting up with all those oher drivers, your nerves must be steel. What city did this take place in?

"The CW is intended to spice up my otherwise mundane projects." Like someone said on this forum, "the CW made all of my other tools accessories." so true ..... If you need any help or questions just ask.

Dean

poteetjr
06-12-2007, 06:20 PM
leesheridan, I fly that same KC-135 now...

leesheridan
06-13-2007, 10:32 AM
I was stationed at Mather AFB, which is gone now. Does she still go up in a cloud of black smoke following her? That and isn't there a chair for the operator in back rather than laying down starring at the ground?

HandTurnedMaple
06-14-2007, 10:34 PM
Laying down on the job. Typical flight crews!

poteetjr
06-15-2007, 09:15 AM
We have new engines that have about 4 times more thrust than those steam burners, and there are only two job I know of that you get paid to lay down (I have the god one). I have two officers fly me to work and all I have to do is lie on my belly and pass gas. How does it get any better than that?

Deolman
06-15-2007, 11:30 AM
Hi all, I likewise am humbled by some of the company that is here. Since this is my first post I will try not to be too boring. I have worked in a small engine shop, an automotive machine shop and repaired mechanical cash registers and electronic accounting machines. The latter was what introduced me into electronics. I helped install most of the electronic equipment that was used when the first Space Shuttle Booster Motor was static tested in the late 70’s. From there I was involved in the installation of the electronic equipment that controlled the automated storage and retrieval machines in automated warehouses. Finally my efforts turned to server management with my current position being in a military medical facility in Utah. I have done minor woodwork as a hobby off and on for years. I am fascinated with the electronic control of mechanical equipment. Now I have a CompuCarve to help satisfy that fascination at home. I picked it up two days ago and all I have taken out of the box is the manual and software. Like the rest of the people here, I am in a steep learning curve with it. It’s nice to know I have someplace to turn for help and assistance when needed. I am looking forwards to being part of this community.

rjustice
06-15-2007, 01:39 PM
Deolman,
Welcome to our community of carvers! I hope your experience is a great one. This is a very knowledgable group here, and if you need any help, you can usually get it here. The search tool is very good, and has a wealth of knowledge stored inside. If you cant find what you need post a question and someone will certainly help you!

Have fun, and prepare to loose a couple hours of sleep a night for awhile! :)

again, welcome

Ron

leesheridan
06-15-2007, 03:32 PM
The first time I went aborad the KC I was suprised that she's just a big hole inside. I had a good fired that flew left seat on her and when they closed out Tailand near the end of Vietnam. He and all of his crew had to have their wifes pick them up in pickup trucks. The Tai's put everything on sail because the US dollar was going away. So, I know there's room for the CC inside during a regular mission.

poteetjr
06-15-2007, 07:02 PM
The KC is a good old bird...

hray
06-16-2007, 06:00 PM
maybe i can get this to time this is one of the projects i have completed

eagle1
06-16-2007, 06:25 PM
hray,

Nice job on the clock, when did you do it? Did the CW play a part in the project. Keep the pictures coming.:)

Dean

eepers
06-18-2007, 08:39 AM
I've been making video game art, characters, environments, etc for about 11 years now. Currently I'm finally in my lifelong pursued role of calling shots on how the actual gameplay is designed.

I enjoy woodworking as a hobby only, never intend to view it as a job, only a creative outlet. I love working on my house, spending time with my wife who I've been with since we were 17 and our daughter, 7.

I grew up around construction, and I've done sign and vinyl work before getting into games.

Oh, and only 6 months after starting to read this forum, I FINALLY cut my first test piece yesterday on Father's day and it turned out pretty rockin. The games are about to begin! :)

yellowdog
07-09-2007, 10:10 PM
:p Wow, no wonder when I have a question you guys and girls always know the answers. I am AMAZED with all your talents.
I am just a dumb airline pilot who has a creative side and likes woodworking as a hobby. I make a few wood games that I usually give to charities to sell for fundraising. I've been getting a lot busier now that I have the CarveWright!
All I need now is a workshop and the space to put it in and for the honey do list to go away and I'll really have some fun!
Thanks for everybodies help.

rjustice
07-15-2007, 11:42 AM
I've notices a lot of new names in the forum lately... Let us get to know you. Give us a few lines or paragraphs about yourself and how you ended up with the carvewright. Keep the thread going. I think it is great to get to know so many talented people.

Ron

Lin
07-15-2007, 01:15 PM
I've been a member for quite some time lurking and reading and saving up my $$ to purchase the Compu-Carve.
I'm just a plain factory rat that gets to play with CNC's. I do some of the programing and a lot of the troubleshooting when they start throwing alarms. I'm the go to gal when problems arise with the machines.
Scrolling became a passion of mine about 5 years ago with a purchase of an RBI Hawk 20" scrollsaw. That Hawk and the fun I have scrolling has paid for most all the other wood working machines I have in my 2-car garage to include the Compu-Carve. Needless to say...there aren't any cars in it anymore...lol My main art comes from the scrollsaw but I am trying to learn how to turn on our lathe also. We also have a ringmaster and have done several bowls with it. I have had a pattern and article published by one of the scrolling mags in 2004. Wishing I had the time to do more patterns and articles but that time ust isn't there. The Compu-Carve intrigues me. I wanted to learn to hand carve and have done a couple of relief style projects but quite honestly...I don't the time needed to carve...the Compu-Carve is the answer. Affordable and I believe I can add scrolling techniques and possible turning to the projects from the CW...a whole new area for me to delve into. I'm a week-end woodworker and sometimes if I'm working the week-end at the factory I don't even have the week-end to play. Its a hobby that pays for itself and a bit extra and I hope to be able to continue with it when I retire.
If anyone has an interest in my scrolling please visit my website. The Compu-Carve can't do some of the intricate cutting that I do on the scrollsaw but I know it will add to my creative side and make a bit extra to help me start saving up to add on to the garage once I get the hang of it.
Lin
http://www.geocities.com/creativewoodartplus/

rjustice
07-15-2007, 01:29 PM
Lin,
All i can say is wow... I checked out your website and all of your artwork, and once again I am blown away by the talent our forum members have. Extremely beautiful work!!!

For anyone who hasn't checked out Lin's work, it is definitely worth your time.

Welcome again to our community of carvers!!!

Ron

Lin
07-15-2007, 01:41 PM
Ron, Thanks for the kind words about my work. I see my site just shut down due to to much data transfer...this is only the second time this has happened to me in the 4 years I had the site....guess everyone here tried to check it out at the same time. I just use a freebie site to post my pics of completed projects that customers order. I use it mostly as a reference site only for anyone that has an interest in my art. Potential customers visit and generally come up with new ideas for me to try. Scrolling is a very versitle (sp?) form of woodworking and there are still a few things with the scrollsaw that I haven't tried yet. Hopefull those that try to visit the site and can't get on it will try again another time when the traffic isn't so high.
Lin

hray
07-15-2007, 05:27 PM
glad to see this thread agin i check the forum nearly every day have learnd alot abougt
this toy of ours and like every one of you i love it faults and all i find out someing new every day i am a disabled vetnam vet disabled in 1970 but to
stubrend to quit please forgive my spelling this key borad ivents weird words
from tie to time

GRASSHOPPER
07-15-2007, 05:50 PM
Well I’ll take a crack at this. My dad had a small company making aquariums, the old ones with the stainless steel frames, and put me to work as soon as I could reach the handles on the machines. Child labor laws don’t apply when you are family. At 16 I started driving the deliveries in the eastern US, roughly from PA. to St. Louis from home in Ohio.

Got married at 19, draft notice at 20 and turned 21 in Nam. Decided to stay Army and went to Warrant Officer flight school and piloted Hueys and Blackhawks for the last 16 years of the 20 year career.

In 1975 the wife wanted to buy a kitchen table that was really poorly constructed and I told her I could make a better one than that and she said OK. I thought that was the end of it but she ran me off to the Post woodcraft shop. That turned out pretty good and she started talking about a roll top desk. That project got me first place in the national
Forces Command competition in 1676 and I was hooked.

In 86 I built our retirement home, made the cabinets, interior raised panel doors, and trim in the craft shop and included a small shop in the basement.

Jethro
08-22-2007, 09:19 AM
First I will have to say that you are a great group of people! There is so much information here.

I am a small town guy living in the Ozarks. My first job out of college was working at a metal fabricating job shop as a salesman and estimator. I spent 10 years there working around many cnc machines. I had learned to use g-code at the local university and found that with the toolpath software it was hardly ever used... except when something went wrong! Then we would sit there and go through the computer generated codes to see where the error was! One of my favorite customers was a well known custom knifemaker. We would laser cut his blanks and ship them to him. He taught me that there can still be an art to the cnc equipment. Most things we cut, we just drew the part, ran the program and there you had it. 99.5% of our customers were more than pleased with the result. He wanted a little more. I learned that those little parameters that we just let the computer choose are not always perfect! Maybe really good, but there is room for improvement. Since I was not the programmer or the machine operator, I had to beg them to override the defaults to get the better results. It worked wonders on the quality of some materials! My interest in owning and running my own cnc equipment started there. While I am still learning the variables that we can tweak on our little machines, I have already figured out that there are many things that take skill to make good quality pieces with one. I am going to enjoy it very much.

To make money these days, I sell Kubota and John Deere tractors and several brands of commercial lawn mowers. I learned much from my friend in the knife business and still enjoy making a handmade knife every now and then.

Sorry for the long boring post, but this is me!

Mike

sirsumm
08-22-2007, 10:09 AM
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to start by saying that I have really enjoyed this thread. It is nice to "meet" the people that you are associating with. I guess that makes it my turn. I bought my CC because of a recent major life change. It sounds to me like I am not alone in having this be a reason to buy a machine such as this. In February my son his mom and a friend of theirs were in a horrific accident. They hit a semi head on in their pickup. Sadly mom and friend didn't make it. My son survived, but has some serious disabilities now. He fell victim to a traumatic brain injury and a severe neck injury. He is always improving, but will never be the same again. He has to be supervised 24/7 now. I have given up many of my hobbies to be with him. The CC has been a life saver for me. It is hard for me to stay at home and watch TV days on end with him, I have always been very active. Not that I would ever consider doing any different. It is nice to design projects, and let them run while we spend time together. I have woodworking in my blood you could say. My grandfather was a carpenter in Williamsburg VA, and became a luthier later in life. My father has always been an exceptional hobby woodworker as well. Me, I have never been so talented with wood. My skills have always been with metalwork. After completing college I became a machinist at a factory here in Montana. Currently I work in the QA office for an aerospace shop. The CC has spurred me into learning woodworking. The CC seems very easy for me to learn with by background in CNC machine work. It has caused me to desire to learn more about the fine art of woodworking.

Semper Fi
08-23-2007, 08:40 AM
I don't know how I've missed this thread all this time, but I guess I have. So let me expose my boring details.

I took shop classes in high school because every one else did too. I think I made a nail set, biscuit cutter, crude bookcase and a horseshoe tie rack............. to say I didn't excell would be an understatement! I also worked after school unloading box cars of lumber for a local lumber yard. That was pretty much the extent of my woodworking/metal expertise. I started college, but dropped out to join the Marine Corps in 1962. I guess they didn't think too much of my wood/metal skills, because they sent me to aviation electronics school in Memphis. I spent the rest of my 4 years working on helicopters at New River, N.C. After that, I lucked out and got hired by IBM as a Customer Engineer in the Field Engineering Division. I worked on everything from keypunches to mainframe systems, then turned my talents (?) to the software side of the business. After about 4 years of that, they figured I would do less damage as a manager, and eventually I moved to Detroit as a Field Manager and spent 4 years in various positions before making the final move to NE Pa.

I finished out my employment working in Endicott, N.Y. area and retired early in 1993. After all those years of being a type A charger, I found myself with nothing much to do. I hunted, fished and farmed for the first several years, but I still had way too much time on my hands. About that time I was approached to fill a Township Supervisor's position that had opened up because of a death. I did that for over 7 years, working as a Roadmaster and gettiing to run all that neat equipment that little boys dream of: Backhoes, graders, dump trucks, etc. One of the other Supervisors was in his late 80's and had a small woodworking shop........... the rest is history. I could see that this was something I could work (?) at as much as I wanted and as long as I wanted. Now all I needed was some equipment and a place to set it up. My wife spotted a used ShopSmith sytem coming up for sale at a local auction and I managed to by it. That led to several more (6), so I didn't have to keep changing setups when trying to finish all the steps in a project. (Thank you eBay!) I went out to Ohio to their factory school and got some education so I could stop producing so much kindling wood for the fireplace. :)

I've enjoyed learning and doing, as my skills slowly built up. They still have a long way to go, but I have learned so much from reading the woodworking magazines, online articles, and this forum. My CC has allowed me to do some really beautiful carvings to include in those projects, and that always draws attention away from the flaws in my work. Thank you to all who have helped me here! I hope I can be of service in the future to others also.

For right now I mostly make furniture and plaques that I donate to charities, or to friends. That way I can offer my "double your money back" guarantees. I am truly amazed at the credentials of the members here, and wonder if I'm discovered, that maybe they'll throw me out. :)

enough,
Ernie

Gman_Ind
08-24-2007, 02:25 PM
I spent most of my high school time in the shop class, I took all of the shop classes offered, I took my study hall there, I student instructed the junior class, and I made projects for most of the teachers I had other classes during those years so I was allowed free reign to go to the shop whenever I wanted. I had sawdust or varnish or slag on me most of the time. I also learned how to weld, bend and cut steel there as well. I supervised a junior shop project making V8 motor stands for the auto shop out of recycled LP safety cages. I learned/taught valuable safety lessons and I still have all my parts.
In college I took some machining and manufacturing classes, i was hired by an instructor at college to work on his projects (mostly refurbish rental property furniture) so I had free reign of these facilities as well, I also was a student worker in the facilities department so I got to pick up trash and replace divots after the spring thaw. LSSU is in Michigans UP on the Canadian border.
I became a bit spoiled having access to well equipped shops so I knew I needed good equipment for my personnel shop.

911guy
08-25-2007, 02:50 PM
I'll jump in....

I'm a disabled police officer with 9 years active service, currently on a disability pension (the last 9 years) and now have a 9-5 job running a 911 center :D .

Been playing around with wood for a number of years. More of a hobby, have no formal experieince in CNC or wood shops. I run a side business making nameplates as such like a lot of people here. My "Specialty" is scrolling (Delta 40-540).

I learn from many of my peers such as those in this forum and others.

Dirtydan
08-25-2007, 03:03 PM
Well outside of the woodshop class I had in High School back in 1959 I have NONE...

I have done a few basic thinks around the house, but this is my first adventure into actually doing something creative with wood. My only saving grace is that I know a little about computers and I got this GREAT machine that always does what I tell it to, but now always what I wanted it to do...:p Hate machines that are smarter than me, but some would say that dosen't take much....:)

What else would expect from a retired Marine and Aerospace Engineer...

phoenix02
08-26-2007, 03:46 AM
Okay. Wow. I'm in esteemed company. Before I extoll my life history, I'd like to ask a question of you all. It seems everyone here is rather aged. I don't want to say old or older, but experienced, if you will. I, on the other hand, turn 23 in October. Now, my question is, any ideas why that is?

My first assumption is the pay to play. The carvewright is a rather expensive machine, one not too many people my age would think of purchasing. I was only able to get it on credit. :) No, wait a moment- that's not it, I wouldn't think. I have friends that have paid more for televisions and gaming systems than we have for the carvewright. So then, is it that we are a dying breed? Is my generation such that the internet proliferates our lives to the extent that woodworking and other hands on thought provoking work is no longer mainstream in any way? I'm also a member over at OWWM.org- Old Wood Working Machines. The question was posed thence in a different wording, but the response was the same- people that care about the quality of a hand made piece of furniture, or real wood cabinetry- over melamine, mdf and the life- are becoming extinct. What is your opinion?

Now, that question out of the way, on to the doldrum history of the one named Michael. While still in High School, I taught myself computer repair and became the lead student tech at my alma mater. I also was a photographer and actor/ technician in the theatre as well as a trumpet player in Jazz band.
I graduated and moved on in 2002 to CSU Pomona as a Theatre Major. There, I began as an actor and rather quickly became a tech. I had the wonderful oportunity to be a main stage actor, lighting tech, sound tech, master scenic carpenter and even wrote a short play that was produced at the college. While there, I worked at the local community theatre as a tech, ran the front desk of a motel, took care of the corporate warehouse for Del Taco, and continued my computer work on the side for friends and a few long standing customers. My third year, I got bored with college and decided to do one of the stupidest things I've done on one level, and the best on another- I dropped out to marry my high school sweetheart, Jamie. We had planned to move to Tennessee and start a life in a place I'd actually like to raise children in, but God stepped in and we stayed in California. At the time, I was working as an A/V installer, setting up and installing home theatres, corporate PA systems, conference rooms and the like. In a twist of fate- and my wrist- 2 months before we were to be wed and move, I was injured. I had to have surgery and 2 years of paperwork and physical therapy later was screwed over by the worker's comp system our wonderful governor changed when he came in to office. I then went to work as an operator for Verizon- did that for a few months until my brain melted. Good lord, that was a hideously boring job. Not to mention my new distain for the human race- it's amazing how few people know the basics of social interaction, especially over the phone.

Anyway, I quit to try to strike out on my own, first selling antiques and repairing vintage radios and tube equipment, then into woodworking. I wanted to start out small and make trinket boxes and whatnot to sell at the local fairs and farmer's markets, but Jamie and I were worried about them selling- that whole issue of people not caring about paying more for quality. Hence, we decided customization was needed, and found the carvewright. After the carvewright, a new laptop, a unisaw and bandsaw- everything else I already have- we're in debt by about $4K and have yet to create anything with the carvewright. I'm hoping and praying it works out, because if my gamble doesn't pay off and we have some cash coming in soon from my business, we shall flounder and be burried under our debt.

In closing, I'd like to thank you all for your wisdom and experience- I have very much enjoyed parusing this website and creating a necklace in my mind of all your many pearls of wisdom. If you are by chance a praying individual, please consider adding me to your list- I can use all the help I can get. :D

Thank you,
Michael

Dale in Anaheim
08-27-2007, 05:31 PM
Okay. Wow. I'm in esteemed company. Before I extoll my life history, I'd like to ask a question of you all. It seems everyone here is rather aged. I don't want to say old or older, but experienced, if you will. I, on the other hand, turn 23 in October. Now, my question is, any ideas why that is?

My guess is, and it is just a guess, is that as your friends continue in their lives and experience more of "all that life is about" they will continue to gradually broaden their interests to the point that, for some of them, hobbies like wood working will eventually gain some appeal. I know that has been the case for me. Even though I took shop classes in Jr and Sr High schools, I have just become interested in wood working as a hobby. I am 37 and I really congratulate you for having diverse enough interests to pursue woodworking as a hobby. When I was your age the only things that concerned me were fast cars, women and beer. Mostly women though.

Dale

Dirtydan
08-27-2007, 06:53 PM
When I was your age the only things that concerned me were fast cars, women and beer. Mostly women though.

Dale

Dale,

I'm 65 and those are still my main interest...

TerryT
08-27-2007, 09:55 PM
I've never noticed this thread before. At the risk of falling into the OLD guy catagory I guess I can share some boring stuff about myself. Back in the '50's my dad was a TV repairman, got me interested in electronics. He also had more time than money so when he wanted or needed something he just made it. Boats, trailers, gyrocopters, airplanes, built his own home and lake cabin... he was pretty amazing. Making things was pretty much a way of life for us.

My interest in electronics lead to computers just shortly after Steve Jobs sold his hippy van to finance his circuit boards.

I am a former police officer, I have always loved woodworking and computers. This machine combined both, Obviously I had to have one. I retired in 2002 and my wife and I run a small pond and watergarden business (Blue Iris Water Gardens) to supliment my retirement. Over the last 12 years it grew, we sell all over the country via our website. I had to study Japanese at Community College (oldest guy in the class but still got a 3.7 gpa) so we could travel to japan to buy our show quality koi from the Japanese breeders. It got to be work rather than fun so I hired a young guy to take my place and I went back to work as a PI. I got my first PI license back in 1968 when I was 19. I enjoy the work, we do a lot of criminal defense work and insurance fraud.

While I'm working I also spend a lot of time thinking about my CC and what I want to make next.

Some of the projects other board members have made are incredible and make me feel a little inadequate, but I'm learning and having fun!
Terry

RC Woodworks
08-27-2007, 10:38 PM
Wow I haven't been reading very much lately! I am so impressed with everyones talents. Well I guess I will give my background, my love for woodworking started in high school. I was a teacher assistant for my wood shop teacher. Plus I worked for Uncle who own a sign shop. Through my teacher I learned several wood working technics. Through my Uncle he taught me the sign trade. I was taught how to make special bits to carve signs. How to paint, sell custom carved signs.

After high school and working for my Uncle guess what line of work I went into?......Signs, woodworking? Nope!!!! I went into law enforcement at age 21! A week before I graduated from the academy I married my wife of 23 years plus dating her since our Junior year of high school.

We had 3 great boys and after 15 years as a peace officer I had to medically retire at the rank of Sgt. This has been almost 10 years, now I own my a sign shop. You may think I have had my sign shop since I retired? Nope!!!!! I still avoided turning my passion into a job.

So to stay busy I worked as a janitor at a local school, then I went to work at another police dept. But my body could not take so back to retirement I went.So 4 years ago I started my sign business travelling to fairs and working from home. I bought my 2 CC along with a ShopBot to help my back from hurting.

So far it has helped but this Oct. I will be having back surgery. Time will tell if I will still be in the woodworking business!

That is my life story..... hey wake up!!!!

Rick

Old Cop
08-28-2007, 04:58 AM
Never had any woodworking in school.Went in USAF after graduating.When I got out I went into Law Enforcement.Was Capt of the Homicide Unit on the WPD. Retired and took the job as Chief at a small Lake community.A year and a half ago I lost my wife to Cancer after 47 years of marrige. One month later had to have my bladder and prostrate removed from Cancer. Got started scroll sawing about 6 years ago.After my wife passed and I got back home from my surgery I bought my CW,set up a small shop and do pretty well with selling the scroll sawn pictures and some of the carvings.Started carving about the first of January this year and really enjoy it. Really enjoy the forum and the people on it.After the first of the year have to have my knee replaced from riding Police Cycles for six years,Mostly old kick start Harleys and a couple of accidents.I will be 75 next March and hope to keep going and keep carving and scrolling

Rampie
08-28-2007, 05:06 AM
Well good luck with the back operation Rick, hope it turns out better then mine. Been putting off writing my story but you have inspired me to write mine, so here it is.

Growing up my Dad was a truck driver and never home. Always tore things apart and put them back together, just to see how they worked. Anyhow loved workshop and metal shop in school.. Went to votech for diesel mechanic’s, not much in this area for that back then. Graduated in 1978 and my dad got me a job in the ladder company that he drove truck for. I then got married right out of school and started a family. Got to be good friends with the carpenter in the plant.,who got me more interested in woodworking. Working seven days a week and two or three doubles a week did not leave much time for woodworking, plus we lived in a trailer ( no where for tools). Every weekend that I didn’t work I would watch home improvement shows and of course New Yankee workshop.

So in 1993 we bought or first house that had a 28 x 32 steel building garage. A buddy of mine helped me redo the whole house ( which was in bad shape ). So in February of 1994 the company put up for bid the old 16” table saw and I bid on it. Got it for $25.00 cause it had a 3 phase motor on it, which I got working. Then low and behold march 1994 I blew out my L4-L5 disc at work. Got operated on in July and back to full duty in September 1994. by January of 1995 I was numb from the waist down, off work and then another back operation in December of 1995. Went through therapy and everything else for a couple years. Started messing with computers while I was off, not able to do any woodworking. In 1997 I bid a lighter duty job in the shop, still messed with computers and did a little woodworking. Then in September of 2002 I blew the same disc out again.
Got third back operation in December of 2002 and they told me I would never work in the shop again. So I went to school for computers, now have my comptia certifications and MCP.

So now I am on disability and teach computers two 4 hour days. My daughters were home for Christmas. Two days after Christmas the youngest daughter was watching tv and seen the compucarve commercial. And that is how I ended up with my carver, not that my wife of 28 yrs was real happy about it, but she loves it now. And I might add it is good therapy for me, gets me out in the woodshop more. Well that is my boring story and I am sticking to it.


Bob

www.go3d.us
08-28-2007, 12:27 PM
Me, 32. 3d graphic designer. I enjoy woodworking as a hobby.
HT

jspringertx
08-28-2007, 01:46 PM
I am about to turn 69 and started woodworking just a few years ago. Prior to retirement at 62, I worked as the Corporate Operations Manager for a distributor of pipe, valves and fittings. I had previously worked as Operations Manager and as the Systems Manager of a large electrical distributing compan. I set up computer systems in Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, California, and Saudi Arabia.
I have worked with computers since the release of the TRS80, more years than I care to remember.
The CompuCarve system was a great tool to add to my sublimation business as it is computer oriented and I can expand my line of products.

Oliver Lande
08-28-2007, 03:24 PM
OK - here goes - first I really have to say how impressed I am by the members who have posted here. "Humbled" would be a logical word to use.

And now for me - I spent 26 years as an engineer, with a special emphasis on CAD when AutoCAD came out. Became the resident expert for that program (all the while knowing that the young ones coming up would certainly know more than I (don't they always). Worked with SolidWorks, AutoCAD and some specialized programming for the company I worked for. Went to the office one day in February of 2000, realized how disgusted I was, told my boss "I will never work in an office again!", and left. Spent a few months on the couch and decided I wanted to build things I could "touch". Went back to school and became a cabinetmaker. The next 3 years were spent running a CNC router for a cabinet company.

In 2004 my job was ending (I had foolishly accepted a job as the head of engineering at the cabinet shop. Was given the task of remaking the engineering department, but was stymied by a very talented staff who could not accept a boss who came from the production end of the company). The company was sold, I was terminated and back on the couch.

Thats the point where I said - "I guess that what I want to do is make what I want." So now I do. I also run the house and am responsible for a ten year old and a seven year old full time. Believe me - parenting was sure easier a quarter century ago.

But thats me and thats what I do. If the machine works out (I REAAAALLLLY LIKE IT!!!) I think I'll fold it into the craft fair business that I have.

Dragon
08-31-2007, 10:04 AM
I'm 43 and have been paying my bills with my computer science degree since 1984 [please, no big brother jokes]. I've been through many companies and industries and have always just loved technology. I'm also a self-taught amateur radio operator with a general class license [another geek hobby].:D

I moved from the mainframe world, after 9 years, into PC/client server and moved through developer to where I've been a SQL DBA now for 10 years. I went independent contractor when the market was hot and was able to land positions working out of the house for the most part. The freedom was great and the ability to be around for my kids' early years [daughters, 6 & 9 yrs now] and the bonding was irreplaceable. Anyway, the market popped and I'm back in a cell... I mean cubicle, missing the good ol' days.

I've always taken to new technology easily. I've also loved the idea of woodworking, but with my natural carving capabilities i never pursued it because I wanted to keep all of my fingers.;) Soooo, I nearly passed out with delight when I saw the Carvewright/CC advertised on the DIY channel. Talked about dropping the cash with my wife and she was 'on board' [pun intended]. She is very artistic/craft-minded and would like to get into carving some of her hand drawn projects once the kids get back to school. I love playing in Photoshop. I'll get some posts into the gallery eventually.

Rob

mcanelly
09-14-2007, 01:01 AM
I've been an oilfield worked for almost 10 years. I supervise drilling and service rigs in Prudhoe-bay Alaska. My family has been in the sign carving business since the early 70's. My grandfather, uncle, and father have been hand carving signs, letters and numbers since I was in diapers.
My father moved to Alaska a few months ago and started his sign business up here. I wanted to try and help him get it going. I bought a compucarve just to see how it would do. We just got through doing a twelve day fair in Palmer. Around the third day I realized that I needed another machine because we were falling behind on our orders. I ended up ordering two machines from carvewright and having them overnight air shipped because there were no more machines in Alaska.
All that I can say is WOW. My father says that he's never even come close to selling this many signs.
I work two weeks in the oilfield and have two weeks off. I'm looking forward to getting back to work so that I can get some rest.

SevenCubed
09-18-2007, 08:36 PM
I don't know how many folks read these, but it's a fascinating heap of stories. Might as well throw mine in.

I'm in the video game industry, by trade. I went to college studying 3D Modeling and animation and despite heaps upon heaps of drawings, almost everything I've created has been on the computer. This saddens me. I've recently gotten into molding and casting, and have done work in wax, clay, plaster, concrete, and bronze, but I've always wanted to have my computer sculpting skills put to work on something material and tangible. Rapid Prototyping is still WAY too young and Way too expensive to be viable, but the Carvewright was the perfect opportunity to create things the way I'm used to creating them and Still end up with a real thing in my hands. I love it to death. I've got _NO_ woodworking experience and am Not a particularly handy person, but being able to do these carvings has been sufficient motivation to put up with the lumps. I'm glad to be part of this community an' I'm really excited to see where the future takes this whole "home CNC" phenomenon.

Bubbabear
12-03-2007, 06:22 PM
48 y/o short fat guy. as of thanksgiving 2007 i have been stopped smoking for one year. Wife told me what i saved on smokes i could spend on woodworking.

My father started and owned a local cabinet shop for 24 years. So now you know what i grew up doing. I can say we have loaded full sets of kitchen cabinets on containers to go to the Bahamas and also built and installed all of the cabinetry desk and wine cellars for a former 'Office of Management and the Budget (OMB)'.

I am now a firefighter of 18 years and do woodwork as a hobby and run a computer shop on the side. Living on local govt. salary sort of slow buying the tools and goodies i want but slowly getting there.

Location I would be nestled in the mountains of north ga

TurkeyBranch
12-03-2007, 06:58 PM
I was born into woodworking, carpentry, etc.
Grandfather, Father were both builders. Back then you did it all. They even built their own kitchen cabinets. I always tagged along and played on the job site. Growing up I worked summers and evenings after school for my Dad. I spent a lot of time in the shop, making everything from kitchen cabinets to specialized trim. We did a lot of restoration work. Do you know how hard it is to build something out of square? On purpose!? :rolleyes:

I broke my back one year, then following year I broke my neck. 2 Surgery's, 2 years. I was told to not work construction anymore, but then I never listened well anyway! :twisted:

I have always had a shop, but never the time I wanted to spend in it. I now have a new shop, set up the way I want and try to spend at least 2 hours a day in it.

I set the CW up to run then put on my ear protection and sit and scroll for a couple of hours, ah Heaven.

So that is me, without all the interesting parts.

Ed

dougmsbbs
12-03-2007, 08:26 PM
Just turned 50. Spent 15 years as a independant computer consultant/programmer. Worked some years in new home construction, then went to work for a major diversified company repairing half million dollar presses. Built two CNC machines of my own, and did the programming for them. Put them in the attic when I got my CW.
Now, after four heart attacks, eight stents, and a pacemaker, I stay at home and trade the stock market. Of course, the CW is running while I do it!
I'm still programming software to help with pattern design, in particular making patters from photo's. So my move to semi retirement is really keeping me busy.
Did anyone notice how many military and/or law enforcement people we have on here? I am very humbled...

jwhllh55
01-24-2008, 05:16 PM
Hi Folks,
Just a short note of what I'm doing.
I'm 63, retired truck driver. In 1995 I sold my truck in Baker City, OR and went gold mining. I did fairly well digging holes in the ground, so I went looking for a place to put down roots. Single at the time, I found a little house on three lots and a little shop in the back. So, I bought it. I had room for all the tractors and mining gear. Meanwhile, I meet and marry a great gal that just retired from the Air Force and she loved mining too. (which floored me too.) She had two kids that were grown and on their own.
During the winter time I fire up the wood stove and work on outdoor furniture and because of the CW, signs and stuff for my friends.
The one thing I have done that is really strange, I craved birds and trains in the siding for a new shed I just built. I have trees craved in one side and a miner panning for gold on the other. Everyone that looks at the building loves it. I'm trying to get the wife to paint the cravings, but it's been to cold out to do anything for now. Maybe in the spring she'll get off her back side and do something. LOL
Thanks for the time, folks
John Hammett

Concrete Carver
01-24-2008, 06:47 PM
Well I haven't posted hardly anything. I have been building a Art Studio / Workshop since I bought my machine. I haven't been able to use it much at all, but that is about to change.
I am 50 years old, married, and live in the foothills of Mt Rainier in Washington in a log house. I won a Interior Design Award on the HGTV website in 2004 for my house. I make most of the stuff in it. I am a Investigator at Boeing. I figure out build issues problems and Flight Squawks on mostly the 737s. I have worked with metal it seems my whole life. I do all kinds of art work, metal, wood carving by hand, sculpture of any material, paint draw, etc... you get the picture. I used to drive open wheel racecars for 11 years, Formula Fords.
As far as the name Concrete Carver. I have made a few concrete countertops for myself. I built a 1,400 sqf deck with a Outdoor Kitchen and Garden Center. Then I took Fu Tung Chengs class in CA. A whole new level.
Part of the reason I bought the machine is I can use it to make fancy edges and detail work with it. Transfer it to a rubber mold and use with the concrete.
But there are many other things I plan on using it for as well.

I just bought the Corel program so I can use my own artwork for patterns. Which I plan on sharing here for those who want to use them. Right now I am hand carving a art project by hand. It is for a log home. It is a school of full size Coho Salmon swimming up a river made of bendable copper tubing. The wood will mostly be cedar. Some salmon will concrete.
Mike Jenkins

Starfire
01-24-2008, 08:56 PM
My expertise certainly is not of the caliber of most of everyone here, but I sure hope to use my new toy to accomplish what I hope to with it. I am a retired gov employee with service in the AF, for the AF (civil servant) worked for the Army, Navy and last NASA. Followed my husband from Ill to England, Germany Southern California and now New York. We had our own business in computer system design and integration of systems, My Husband and our crew did the engineering, software design and installation and I did the publicity, prepared all the graphic stuff and book keeping. After we sold out and retired I had time to settle into my hobby mode and I am into miniatures. The stuff I build is not the toy quality doll house but museum or collector quality. Unfortunately the older I get the more pain I get in my hands and so my ability to do the carving and other woodworking specialty items has become harder to accomplish. My wonderful husband got me the CC machine and I have been playing around with the software before I move on to the actual machine itself. I know I will have a thousand questions for you old pros and I hope I do not wear out my welcome in the process of asking them.

badger
01-25-2008, 01:38 AM
In my mid 40s, a little over 9 active duty years in the Air Force (Desert Storm Vet) now a little over 8 years in Law Enforcement and I got back into woodworking to keep my sanity. Had most of the tools I needed back in 99 but lost them due to the May 3rd tornado, so im slowying getting most of them back now. Average knowledge with PS and gimp and learning more every day.

Learned alot from these guys here on the forums and have appreciated all their help.

larry711
01-25-2008, 07:05 AM
ok i was a machinest for 40 years manual not cnc.so i am a new guy to all of this.i love working with wood making somthing beautful out of a raw piece of wood. i am 62 and was drawn into the comp u carve one day at sears. best thing i ever did . i read the posts every day and find a lot of helpful info when i think i have a question the answer is here thanks to all.i am working out of a single car garage. three weeks my new shop will be done cant wait. i have three years army 65 66 air cav. ten years ore gaurd. wife two kids all grown. i guess we do all come from all walks of life. but share a common interest.

rjustice
03-09-2008, 09:20 PM
Hey everyone, If you havent seen this thread before it is pretty cool. This is just a spot for everyone to get to know each other. I have seen many new names lately, and thought it would be nice to get to know everyone. There is a lot of talented people here from all walks of life.....Dont be shy :rolleyes:

Happy Carving.

Ron

Digitalwoodshop
03-09-2008, 10:14 PM
I went through all 8 pages TWICE and I never posted in this thread..... I can't believe I missed a chance to GLOAT and toot my own horn.... Wow... I was asleep at the keyboard...

Well I am a 52 year old Retired Navy Chief that worked on Radars and Analog and Digital Computers from 76 to 95. Got to retire early when Bill was cutting the size of the Navy and they had no place to send me next.... I joked to the Detailer in Washington as I called looking to go to a 4th ship and found none available. My quick Whit said "Well let me retire early?" and he said YES.... Stayed for my 19 year pay raise and a month of vacation and I was gone. 10 years of Sea Duty on 3 ships visiting 27 countries having a great time. I got to be an Electronics Instructor in the early 80's and found that very fun at Great Lakes. The last 4 years I was in San Diego on shore duty and would be called to help fix ships with equipment problems.

Went to a retirement class before retirement where they teach you how to interview for a civilian job. On the last day they had company's looking for help come in and pitch their company. A guy from Sony walked in and said "How many here are in electronics and are staying in San Diego?" Half the class raised their hands. He smiled and said "Great, I will hire ALL of you". He said they were adding 400 people to make 17 inch picture tubes for Computer Monitors.

As a side note that set of Sony buildings are all gone today, just a dusty parking lot... Progress and Flat Panel LCD Monitors....

I came in as a senior tech in 95 getting $14.00 per hour working 12 hour shift work with lots of overtime. I was assigned to fix the Fanuc Robots, Conveyors, RF Generators, Elevators, all PLC or Program Logic Controlled. They had a pipeline of classes as the new equipment was still in Japan and was due in 2 months. I got there at the right time. I went to school or worked in the 32 inch picture tube line until the equipment showed up and was installed. I have a training folder with certificates of training on everything from Fanuc Robot and PLC Programming to Basic DC, AC, Motors, Gear reduction, Electronics, Bearings, Lubrication, Fuses, Math, Encoder, Glass Technology, Failure analysis, EEPROM Programming and more. Even learned Japanese History and the History of Sony. I had lived in Japan 77-79 on a ship stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. I have had great respect for the Japanese work ethic.

Did that for 2 years then took a promotion to the Calibration Lab for 2 years. Got Divorced after 13 years, no kids, and moved to Philly to work at the Sony Service Center and fixed Play Stations, DVD's, Cameras and more. Topped out at $20.00 per hour in a very overpaid tech position.

I stayed 4 years and I moved home just before they closed and started my business by building two 16 x 24 shops, one for a Laser Shop and the other a Wood Shop. Worked at a great local Lumber Yard as a counter salesman for a whopping $8.50 per hour but got a great deal on building supplies with the employee discount. Quit after the shops were built to devote more time to the business Pocono Digital Woodshop.

I have 2 Laser Engravers, Color Sublimation equipment, 2 Carve Machines, Rotary Engraver, and a Vinyl cutter. I make tourist products and signs.

Spend allot of time on the forum, don't really have a life.... I am sort of a MR. Fix IT..... Just got my Explorer inspected the other day and I put on less than 3000 miles in 3 years according to the inspector and friend. Quite a change from San Diego with a 5 AM 48 mile drive one way every day and 3 hour drive home every weekend when in Philly.

There.... That's a good GLOAT.... Wish I was closer to LHR would love to work Tech Support there....

AL

Edit 8/8/08 Web Site is Up and running. www.poconodigitalwoodshop.com :)

The "DH"
03-10-2008, 06:39 AM
Hello Everyone,
Can’t believe I missed this one myself. I’ve been watching the forum for well over a year now. Anyway here it goes. I was raised mostly by my grandparents and learned woodworking from my grandfather he past way and an older gentleman took me under his wing and taught me how to work stone and electronics; I went to vocational school for welding. Then decided I had enough of the small coal mining town and quit high school to join the Navy.
I can’t tell you how many different things I learned throughout my 20 plus years of service but they are all paying off now that I’m retired. I did manage to earn two degrees while on active duty one in Health Care Management and one in Health Science Technologies. My shop started back in 01 when my best friend’s wife said I should make the guys dartboard cabinets for x-mas, up until that point I was just doing odd stuff around the house, after that point however it’s been none stop (still not very serious at this point yet). So when it came time to retire from the Navy last year my wife and I had a hard choice to make either take the secure high paying job with a big hospital or start over with my own shop. It has only been 7 months since my retirement and business has been getting better all the time so I went from enjoying what I did to loving what I do, and I have my wife and closest friends to thank for their support and belief in my abilities. To top it all off I’m still only 38 just beginning another life adventure.
Take Care and Happy Carving

luckettg
03-10-2008, 07:37 AM
I just discovered this thread this morning....WOW, WHAT A GROUP OF TALENTED AND DIVERSE PEOPLE!!!!!

I started building things with my father before starting school. He had a part time handyman business for years. House remodels, piers, boats, bulk heads, engine rebuilding, etc. Then 10 years in the Navy, first 4 as a BoilerTech, then 6 more in the Seabees. Picked up a couple of degrees over the years and a slew of tech schools too. I spent 25 years as a Controls Engineer building automated assembly and testing machines. I got tired of the travel and being away from home so much, quit that and started a handyman business about 6 years ago, working on boats and homes, only doing small jobs, and now also work for Whirlpool/KitchenAid building test fixtures and testing small appliances. I just shifted this to part time to help with one of my children's learning problems, spending about 20 hours a week at his school. I have 5 children, and 5 grand children, and another grand child expected this summer.

luckettg
03-10-2008, 07:59 AM
The one thing I have done that is really strange, I craved birds and trains in the siding for a new shed I just built. I have trees craved in one side and a miner panning for gold on the other. Everyone that looks at the building loves it.
John Hammett

John,
Any pics of the shed?
Thanks.

MikeMcCoy
03-10-2008, 08:00 AM
There is a diverse bunch on this site. I'm 57 and retired from the Navy in 1991 and went to work as a government contractor working on what was then, new voice recognition systems for our air traffic control school that was located in Memphis. I did that for 7 years and was then offered a job at the Navy Systems Center where I've worked ever since. Somehow or other, I wound up primarily support the Air Force air traffic control in Afghanistan and more recently in Iraq.

gmalanoski
03-11-2008, 07:35 PM
Great thread guys (and gals)! I'm continually amazed by this whole forum! As one of the members towards the lower-mid range on the age scale (just turned 35) I always find it a great experience to listen to those with more wisdom & experience. Sometimes you are very surprised by what you learn! For those of you that have been around the block a few more times than I, thank you. I truly value the stories you tell and the advice you provide.

I have a lovely, caring wife and 3 great kids (8yo son, 4yo son, 18mo daughter). I currently work as a computer programmer / dba / network administrator for a smaller company in the health care industry (yes, it is a mess). I've got about 20 years of computer experience which started on the vic-20's, trs80's, etc. When in high school, I used to pride myself on knowing more than the dingbats at the local computer stores. I ended up being on of the 1st IT people for a major accounting firm (top 15) then went on to the USAF. I performed component level repair on CCTV & IR laser guidance systems (PaveTack & LANTIRN) on F-111F's, F-15's & F-16's. Spent my mil career in Test & Development.

After that I dabbled in a couple of factory jobs, then quickly back to IT. I started woodworking about 1.5 years ago as a release from the day to day chaos. Now, it's really starting to get out of control! Hopefully this year will be the most productive thus far (if it ever warms up)!

Shinny
03-11-2008, 09:15 PM
I am 45 years old. I coach 2 kids in 2 sports, Work full time at the local electrical company as a troubleshooter\Relay specialists. I've been woodworking since 1985. I have a close friend who owns a cabinet shop, so i often pick his brain on "how to". Use to build out of the garage, but built a dedicated 24' x 32' shop in 2000. For now most item that leave my shop are donated to charity. My Grandma's chruch, Habitat for Humanity, & Cystic Fibrosis to name a few. I am looking foward to learning more about the CW. I think it will add a unique touch to many items. Dart board cabinets, bench seats, mirror frames to name a few. thanks for letting me share.

scw
03-27-2008, 05:06 PM
I just discovered this thread...great idea whoever started it!

I'm 48 yrs old. Live just outside the Cincinnati area.
I actually went to Vocational School for carpentry way back when and worked that field until I was about 22. The bottom fell out of the economy back then when Carter was prez and I went unemployed for a few years officially.
I worked as a musician, being young having fun.
The government saw fit to help me thru school after Reagan was in office a year or so and I got a degree in "Digital Electronics and Microprocessors".
Sounds fancy but it wasn't an engineering degree.
I got a job in a TV shop and learned how things really worked from two guys who were in their 60's...they had seen radio be invented and I soaked up everything they knew right on top of all that theory and formulas I had learned.
Good or bad,my main job is still TV repair to this day,and I still play in a local band, but woodworking has always been main love. From building houses to building furniture, I just find time in the shop to be my heaven.
The smells, the textures, grain patterns, the sound of a saw blade laboring thru white oak...I can't explain it.
I cut and mill most of the wood I use myself these days from my own back yard.
Being an electronics tech and musician from the 80's when technology really grabbed ahold of music I was in on the ground floor with personal computers going as far back as the Commodore 64. I've done stints in video and audio production, graphic design...you name it.
The Cravewright has brought all of those elements together, computers, wood, and creativity.
In a world full of paper laminated particle board products from Wal Mart I can find nothing more satisfying than designing, cutting, sanding and finishing a gorgeous piece of hardwood into something that someone will hang onto and admire for possibly, generations.
Its nice to meet ya!

optionman
08-08-2008, 09:45 AM
unlike the experienced woodworkers/craftsmen who dominate this forum, i'm a 47 year old trader on the American Stock Exchange in nyc who's "shop" is the corner of my nj garage. i bought the cw to do mainly lithos because my previous hobby was transferring imaging onto fabric using a professional embroidery machine. though the results are amazing (i'll post some pix sometime), the process takes 40-50 hours each and if it screws up (AND IT DOES), u have to restart from scratch. i've really enjoyed reading the posts in this forum and look forward to posting finished projects and seeing everyone else's great work and ideas.

give me a shout if your coming to ny city. i'll show you around.

Amonaug
08-08-2008, 11:14 AM
Guess I should introduce myself though I've been here since about Feb.

I'm 42 yr old living in WI (originally from New Orleans, LA). Served in the Coast Guard for 4 years. My main hobby is digital graphics and 3D animation. When I saw the CW/CC advertised on the TV I thought this would be a great business to merge my graphics skills with making something to actually hold. I was always interested in the machines that could take our 3D digital models and make actual models.

First few months I wondered if I had made a mistake as I had no sales. Now the past couple weeks I'm on my 7th customer. Not really enough to live off of but the potential is picking up. :)

jspringertx
08-14-2008, 11:32 AM
I will turn 70 in December and bought my CompuCarve in 2007. I have had my ups and downs, but the staff at LHR has been outstanding!
I am originally from Dover, Ohio, was drafted into the Army and served at Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans as the post photographer. I had the pleasure of taking aerial shots of the old Cadillac tank plant and Slidell Arsenal. These locations later became the assembly unit for the Saturn rockets and the shuttle. The area near Slidell was and is the testing facility for the rocket engines.

After a return to Kent State University and a job as a sales correspondent, my wife and I were moved to Houston, Texas, where we have resided for the past 40 years. I worked for an electrical supply company (now bankrupt), an office supply store (closed), a pipe valve and fitting company (closed) and a wire and cable distributor prior to my retirement..or should I say "take this job and shove it!"

I have a website under development "makeanimpression.biz" and plan on refining it in the near future. I managed to get "Make an Impression®" trade marked. I also sublimate items and specialize in personalized products.

If you are in the Houston area I would be happy to meet you and discuss the advantages of the CompuCarve/CareWright.

JVallario
08-20-2008, 09:53 AM
Hi all - thought I'd introdue myself as well. I'm 52 and living about 1 hour north of San Francisco. I was born and raised in NY - Brooklyn and Queens mostly and came to CA when I was 16. My Father was a finish carpenter by trade and was know as "Hands of Gold". I started working for him on weekends and summers when I was 12.
One of the reasons I like wood working is that the smell of sawdust (which I can make in great abundance) reminds me of my father. I did 1 tour in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. As well as some time in the civil service as the same. My primary occupation has been in purchasing and contract management for manufacturing companies - about 20 years of it. Mostly I purchased custom fabrications from machine shops and weld shops. Now I consider myself one of the many who have suffered due to offshore sourcing of manufacturing. Something that has really dried up in my area. Now I work at UPS as a supervisor.

I enjoy fishing both fresh and salt water - conventional and fly and hope to make fishing related items with my CW. In the past I had made and sold fishing rod racks with some success.

At the end of Sept. I will be getting married for the 3rd time (thats the charm right) to my lady with whom I've lived for the past 15 yrs. Most of my time and money has been going into the wedding. I am father of 2 girls and Grandfather to a 5 yr old girl and 2 yr old boy as well as step-grandpa to a 3 month old boy.

I first saw the CW on a show called Cool Tools and was hooked right away. I read the forums nearly every day to gain insight and education not to mention all the free patterns. I am grateful to all for their help and should be turning my CW on for its maiden run in the next few days.

Jvicaretti
08-20-2008, 01:02 PM
Hi Everyone,
Add me to the list of those who didn't know this thread existed. I live in Deerpark, NY near the PA and NJ border with my husband of 30 plus years. We have 5 children and 7 grandchildren with twins on the way. I have always loved wood and now that I'm not working I have the time to do alot more.

I was a nurse who ended up being an Environmental Health and Safety Manager for a battery manufacturer that closed up and moved to Mexico. That's why I cringe when I hear people saying good things about global economy.

For woodworking I do just about everything from building furniture to carving and even turning. I am self taught and still learning all the time. I think it works for me because I don't know what I don't know and I just jump in blindly most of the time. I love this forum because I learn so much by reading others posts.

If you ever want to visit the Deleware River area give me a holler.

andes
08-20-2008, 01:51 PM
Well I guess I should add to this LOL. I am a old military retiree (not telling how old LOL) living in AZ. Have about 35 years in the telecommunications and IT field, mostly UNIX based systems. Got burned out and decided to leave the IT field. I still love my computers though. I'm a self taught woodworker and photographer, learning daily. I do a lot of picture framing and crafty type of stuff. Still at the beginner level with the CW, but learning more each day.

I love this forum, I find the people both refreshing and knowledgeable. If I run into problems, I know that I can always get the help I need in any category.

FiddlemakerMills
08-20-2008, 02:19 PM
Started wood working as a kid. Grew up joined the Army learned to be a mech. but didn't like the ticks and chiggers at Ft Hood. Learned some carving while stationed in Dutchland. Left the Army in 79 and joined the Navy. Trained as a Machinest Mate, read more books then I care too. Learned alot, compleated Maintanince Mech. Apprenticeship. Attended More schools with the Navy. Learned to build Violins while on the 1980 Med cruise to take care of the wood working urge.
Left the service in 94 with the early retirement offer. Worked for major box plant. Qualified for Master Maint. Tech.

The wife got me the CC machine thinking It would help with the instruments. Started with it, but became ill, Been off work since Nov. 07. Disabled now and only qualify for desk work. So back to school for Drafting with AutoCad. Doing pretty well, But most of all

Enjoying the time I have for the Carvewright machine.

atauer
08-20-2008, 02:34 PM
Well, since I seem to be one of the only technicians here at Carvewright that likes to post on a daily basis, I'll give mine as well.

I've only been working here at LHR for about a year. I started working here about two weeks after graduating from college. I have an Associate's in Computer Electronics and Engineering. I really do not know a lot about woodworking, but after reading the forum on a daily basis and talking with alot of the different people here, my skills are slowly but surely expanding.

I am really into tearing apart busted electronic equipment and repairing it. I also like creating stuff out of random parts that have been laying around. Its really cool when I can take old parts and create something that works.

Well, that is my story. It seems rather short, but as a member of the "younger generation" I still have a ways to go, alot of knowledge to gain, and then share.

thanks for listening...

bigdoge99
08-20-2008, 04:43 PM
I'll give the can a kick...

I was born and raised in Northern Mississippi, a couple of my teenage jobs included remodeling mobile homes, and doing sheetmetal work (HVAC Duct). So I'm working in an old attic with blown-in wool insulation during the summer, temp is 102 degrees, heat index over 112. The sweat is rolling and when I use a drill or saw the insulation just completely covers me. I decide there has to be something better out there. So I joined the Navy working as a Sonar Tech, also doing a great deal of electronics work...

I retired after 20 years a little over a year and a half ago and moved back to MS. Bought me a small place with a mobile home and had a 35x20 concrete block building built for a woodshop (a hobby of mine going back to my teen years). I started buying equipment back in Nov 07 for the shop. Have almost everything I need (and alot I don't). I use my shop and do smaller projects to supplement my retirement and give me something to do. Maybe now that I'm actually doing a few things I will be able to give back to you guys and gals here, I know I've taken enough from here...

Woodman
08-20-2008, 04:59 PM
I'm really impressed with some of the people who have posted on this thread! Not to mention a bit intimidated too but we all have our strong and weak points here, eh? I'm 57 years old and have been in respiratory therapy since 1972, working in various hospitals in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. I'm currently working in Stillwater Oklahoma and live in Enid. I'm married and we're soon to have our 25th wedding anniversary. We have a 24 year old daughter who is married to a major in the Air Force. No grandkids yet but I keep dropping hints now and again. My wife runs and is co owner of a commercial greenhouse here in Enid. I've carved wood for about 15 years using rotary tools (first dremels and now a foredom) and rifflers and various files. I carve various things, ranging from a T Rex skull to a collection of gargoyles and other critters. When my daughter married, I gave my son in law a master pilot's wing carved from an 18 inch long piece of maple. It took me 8 months to carve and turned out fairly well. The carvewright was bought intending to copy a clay version of that wing and start a business here in Enid since the Air Force graduates 20 pilots every two weeks. I also have other plans in addition to that. IF I can get the carvewright to perform on a reliable basis for me I still intend for that to happen. Since there are people on this forum who do just that, I still have hope that I can make this happen. I've had to send my machine in twice so far with about 60 hours on it so I'm a little concerned about it's reliability in my hands. Some of the problems were my fault, I'm sure so I've still got hope that I can successfully get this machine to carve and stay together. I'm a stubborn little fella and reasonably intelligent, can work with tools and improvise when needed. I think that since so many really impressive people in this forum picked a carvewright, that's high praise for this system. I know that several people here have been very very helpful and I'm so appreciative of this I can't adequately express it. I have some hopes for the pattern store too, since I sculpt. The ability of the carvewright to scan and then carve anything I make is a HUGE advantage for me if I can get my machine to perform reliably. If I can achieve this, I can promise you folks that I will be an asset to this forum and to the carvewright community! Thanks once again for all the help, especially chrisalb and ron justice (who happens to have some really useful tools!). Happy carving!. . . . Pete

dreyn
08-29-2008, 06:48 AM
Well right now I am self employed, I sell Matco Tools, and I have a silk screening shop, I have a journeymans rating in cutting meat, I have loved woodworking since high school amd my wife has encouraged me to get back into it.

luckettg
08-29-2008, 07:31 AM
I am finding this thread to be very inspiring and hope it will continue.:)

brady.schwyhart
08-29-2008, 08:07 AM
Well, here's a quick look at me. I started working with my Dad when I was big enough to carry tools for him (he's been a Ceramic Tile contractor/all around handyman for 50 yrs). I did the odd landscaping jobs as a teen and did construction finish work as well. Hauled a lot of baled hay and cut a lot of wood and cedar logs too. Even did a summer at a Holiday Inn in Branson while still in High School. At 17 I started a 20 year career in the Army that I just finished up. My official job was as a mechanic, but you name it, and I probably did it. Everything from turning wrenches to hand-to-hand combat instructor to handyman repairs in the barracks and training sites. During every deployment (and there have been many) my soldiers always knew they would be living good because if there was something they needed to make life a little bit easier on them, I'd build it. I bought my Carvewright this past Feb and have been a carve junkie ever since. Now that I'm retired from the Army I will be working overseas for a couple of years, (mainly to save up to build my ultimate shop at our new house) and will be without my machine, so I'll be depending on the forum for my "fix" ha ha.

Oak Tech
08-31-2008, 03:32 PM
I’m retired now but spent 24 years as a laboratory technician for a plastic plant. Since I enjoy computer programming, I was chosen to spend the next 18 years writing laboratory and a maintenance system programs, supporting networks, and, in general, supporting the computer systems for the same plant.

I started in woodworking when I was in grade school some 50 plus years ago. One of my fondest memories of grade school was in one particular year, on the last day of school for the summer, I had some change in my pocket and headed up to the hardware store after school to get some nails. Yes, back then change would buy a boy quite a few nails.

Anyway I advanced from building club houses and hot rods to house construction, cabinetry, furniture and almost anything made out of wood. My wife and I share a fine shop (she loves wood also and is a scroll sawyer) and we enjoy woodworking as a hobby very much.

The CarveWright is the latest addition to our shop—purchased in August at a scroll saw trade show but it is still not out of the box. I’ve been doing a lot of forum reading and studying so we will be starting soon. The complete (down to removing all sheetrock, plumbing and electrical) remodeling of two bathrooms and the much less intense remodeling of a bedroom and walk in closet had to take precedence to the new “toy”.
However, that is almost complete and I will be starting a table with down draft dust collection in the next week or so. My biggest interest now is box making and the CarveWright will fit in quite nicely.

Please continue on with your questions, help and information postings as these are a valuable learning source about a somewhat touchy machine that needs a lot of TLC. I have learned a tremendous amount of valuable information about the machine already just from what you gents and gals have to say. Hopefully we can get the beast up and running without a lot of trouble because of all of your information.

Foxman
09-02-2008, 07:15 AM
I am just a High School shop teacher.. some call it Industrial Arts or Technology Education.
We are a dying breed.

We currently have 5 running CarveWright machines. I use them mainly to enhance individual projects in my introductory woodworking classes. It allows the students to add a personal touch to their projects. (They all build the same projects in the intro class). The machines also allow me to give them a loose exposure to CNC.

Our program also includes Laser Engraving and cutting, vinyl sign cutting, CNC plasma cutting, CAD, and video production. We use Adobe Premier CS2 suite, Solidworks, Pro desktop(Wildfire), Chief Architect, Corel Draw, Teleprompting software, the CNC plasma software, the Tricaster Studio software, the vinyl sign cutting software, the carveWright software, MS office pro, etc..... on top of a fully equipped power woodworking lab. I am about to go nuts!!!

Oh, did I mention that I teach all that to about 150 adolescents each day? I am nuts!!

Jvicaretti
09-02-2008, 08:32 AM
I am envious Foxman! As a shop teacher you are one of the people who have the greatest influence on kids and how they explore the jobs they will one day have. After reading the programs you teach them I am amazed how much it has changed since I was in school and it gives me an even greater level of respect for what you do.

LittleRedWoodshop
09-02-2008, 09:48 AM
Beginning woodworker.........

FiddlemakerMills
09-02-2008, 09:54 AM
My hat is off to you.

With out my previous teachers I would not be building the things that I build. My teachers were the greatest influance in my life and I still remember them.

Thanks for the education:)

Dan-Woodman
09-02-2008, 05:23 PM
Foxman
Thanks so much for teaching our future generations a hands on skill. Growing up over the years,I quickly learned that the people I worked with knew nothing more than the job at hand. I took shop in high school so I could have a hobby, but as time went on I realized we have to know more than one skill. All my life I have tried to learn a little about everything so I could at least fix my own home or if needed get other gobs .

It's really sad that shop classes have gone by the way. Keep up the great work.
later Daniel

SandBuoy
09-02-2008, 08:47 PM
Been reading these for months now. I think its really interesting how many people lived close by to someone else posting on here but never knew them. I talked to our own Castingman one day in a PM after finding out he was from Ohio. Turns out my dad used to machine castings from his dads foundry.

Decided it was time for me to post something. Like a lot of the others I learned a lot about a few trades from family. My dad owned a machine shop and my uncle was a plumbing contractor. So before I was 13 I knew what most plumbing part were and how to run a lot of the metal fabricating machines.

Being in my 20s during the 70s and 80s in Ohio I seemed to always be looking for some kind of work because of the steel mill, potteries and steel industry getting hit hard. Decided when I was 24 to enlist in the Army, get my time and go back to college. Was stationed at Ft Lewis Washington as a Motor Pool Sgt for Headquarters Company of the 9th Inf Div.

Got out in 79 and the jobs market wasn't much better. Worked in a machine shops, plumbing part time, , managed a golf course, laid ceramic tile for a couple of years, managed a Elks lodge for 3 years, and then worked in the Kitchen and Bath design business for 10 years at a lumber yard in Pittsburgh. Had a couple of Kitchen and Baths in Better Homes and Garden. During that time my wife and disvorsed and I decided to move out to Portland Oregon a while later. I always loved the NW Pacific area and knew a lady out here that just went threw a messy disvorce. She let me stay with her while I was job hunting.

Got hired on as an apartment maintenance man on a 122 unit complex. Also took care of the irriagtion system and two swimming pools. linda and I, lady that allowed me to stay with her, hit it off and she took the office management position there. We married a few years later. So for 10 years her and I have been managing and maintenancing troubled complexes for the largest management company in oregon.

I learned a lot in those 10 years. I did 95% of all turn overs and the only things I couldn't do was work on water heaters (one of my specialities) and some electrical problems. So I pretty much turned into a remodeler, painter, irrigation specialist and public relation man. Was a very tough but fulfilling experience. Got street smart real fast and probably loss a lot of my trust for people. the storied us two could tell over our 10 years in the business.

Last year we deicded enough was enough. We had saved a good part of our money, was tired of not having a regular life, working 24/7 with only a weeks vacation a year and being transferred 8 times. Her father left her some money and with what we had saved for our retirement we did it early and moved to the coast. I don't move around very good becuase of a car accident 15 years ago and not premitted a drivers licence because I am concidered legally blind from astigmatism in both eyes. So my beautiful wife takes me where I need to go and has never conplained about it once.

I bought the CC after watching a Sears comerical late one night. My wife said thats something you should think about getting and hopefully bring in a little extra money and keep me busy. its starting to pay off now and when it gets back from LHR from some repairs I have 3 jobs waiting I got last week.

TurtleCove
10-11-2008, 12:19 PM
I'm a software developer. I've been doing it, since IBM came out with the first PC, and Radio Shack the TRS-80. I've been to WA and met Bill Gates to collaborate on some projects, and lived in Silicon Valley.

I bought a Mini Max MM24 bandsaw, and started cutting bowl blanks, for my own turning pleasure, and started selling them too. That then lead to buying a stock feeder and resawing dry stock, down to thin boards.

That's what I do on the side now. I produce thin boards from 1/8" thick, on up, on a custom bases, for woodworkers that have the talent to build everything from model ships to exotic jewelry boxes. For some of those ship builders, I even go as thin as 1/16".

-dirk
www.thinboards.com

sweliver
10-11-2008, 06:04 PM
Ft. Lewis....man that was my dream post. For my AIT I chose the Presidio first and Ft Lewis second , knowing full well the Army would'nt let me have the first choice...I graduated from Palo Alto HS....the Presidio or Ft Lewis were my main options.

Long story short, a "split-tail" NG, not RA, classmate literally whined and cried and did other things to get her orders changed to mine...I wound up at Ft Polk, LA....the armpit of the world. Turns out it was the best hunting, fishing, and all around experience in my life. I did a lot of things in TX, AR, FL, that I would never have dreamed. I also did a lot of cool stuff while living in Palo Alto...

sw

sweliver
10-11-2008, 06:30 PM
I am just a High School shop teacher.. some call it Industrial Arts or Technology1111 Education.
We are a dying breed.

We currently have 5 running CarveWright machines. I use them mainly to enhance individual projects in my introductory woodworking classes. It allows the students to add a personal touch to their projects. (They all build the same projects in the intro class). The machines also allow me to give them a loose exposure to CNC.

Our program also includes Laser Engraving and cutting, vinyl sign cutting, CNC plasma cutting, CAD, and video production. We use Adobe Premier CS2 suite, Solidworks, Pro desktop(Wildfire), Chief Architect, Corel Draw, Teleprompting software, the CNC plasma software, the Tricaster Studio software, the vinyl sign cutting software, the carveWright software, MS office pro, etc..... on top of a fully equipped power woodworking lab. I am about to go nuts!!!

Oh, did I mention that I teach all that to about 150 adolescents each day? I am nuts!!


You guys are THE CREATORS!!!

I was into wood in my early ages...and branched out from there. My cousin's are doing vinyl signs for most of the RV's you see on the road today..

Let's get us vynil sign!!!!

sw

angelaf987
10-13-2008, 04:23 AM
Me and my brother were always interested in crafting and we found the carvewright systems which gave us the opportunity to do so, but we are still beginners. :)

Pratyeka
01-30-2009, 09:06 PM
I'm starting to feel comfy with the machine and the people on this forum, so here's a bit about myself;
Born in Canada, living near Montreal.
Child genius raised in small town lacking good library, starving my need for knowledge.
Self taught electronics at 12 yr old (1970), learned electrician in trade school, followed by industrial electronic specialisation.
5 years in Canadian Air Force as radio technician
Aviation electronic about 3 years.
Electronic assembly, automated placement machine, SMT and through-hole for the past 20 years.

I'm a born thinkerer, can fix anything, improve anything, and come-up with solutions no-one else could in a million years. All this while having fun and making jokes...

It's great that I have found this new hobby, and start actually making a little money from it. My co-workers could not believe I made those celtic knots the other day. Another feather in my hat.

cowetaron
01-30-2009, 10:53 PM
I have been reading the post here for about a year and am very impressed with the help that is so forth coming. I just came across this thread today and am very impressed with the talent and experience of all. I have nothing so great as all of you.
I come from a long line of carpenter on both side of the family. But didn't really developed a love for woodworking until I graduated from high school in '71. Started at a lumber yard '71 that specialized in plywood, doors and trim for trim carpenters. After a few years they let me work in the door department building custom cabinet doors and large entry doors with transom. That experience has stayed with me all these years.
Later ended up in the oilfields of Okla. from '79 to '89
building and maintaining gas detection equipment for the drilling rigs.

Have been building boxes that some have confused as cabinets since that time. Ended up going to Orange County , Calif. for 4 1/2 years because of the economy in Okla. Had a small cabinet shop there for a short time. Then had to come back to Okla to help with my dad and my father-in-law who both were in bad health.
When I came back to Okla. decided I wanted to live up by Tulsa, so moved there and ended up with a company that was building custom high end homes ,as the lead carpenter. I fooled everyone for years until they caught on and made me a stupidentendent. I was able to continue to baffle them so now they have gotten even and made me a Project Manager. Except now they don't do homes on regular basis but are into comercial project.
I still have my small cabinet shop and have 2 of my grown sons working for me on a full time basis.
Have been working on the Carvewright machine for about 9 months now carving various items and seeing where I could use it in my business. Just have been so busy that have not had time to develop these ideas.
Some of the work that I have seen produced here really impresses me , I just hope that I can produce at that quality.

And I must confess that I too am a toolaholic
There I said it. And I hope then never find a cure

Ok, now you can wake up.



They say children are hereditary
If your parents didn't have children
There's a good chance you won't

Woodhacker
01-31-2009, 09:20 AM
This is fantastic!! When I started reading this forum I did not really realize what a vast amount of experience there was here.
I am now semi-retired at age 63 (64 next month). As a lot of others have noted, a lot of experience in a lot of fields, yet not expert in any of them. Joined the Navy out of high school back in the Stone Age and was in an outfit that later became Seal teams. Not allowed (even after all these years) to go into that much! Worked in the construction field for a lot of years and then took a job as a supervisor for Ferren's Tree Service. Left them after about 5 years and went into the medical field. Specialized in addictions counseling. Got to the point I had trouble differentiating myself from the patients (burn-out) and went into the neon sign business. Still work there part-time to keep my hand in. Do quite a bit of the art work design and then turn out the basic pafts of the signs with the CNC router. Have had a long interest in woodworking but was a hobby more than anything else. Now, with the extrea time, I am able to devote more time to my "hobby". I have not pruchased a machine yet, but have been fooling around with the software a lot and reading all the posts here... Feel I will really enjoy doing the actual carvings once I get the machine. That comes pretty soon!!
You guys and gals have been a lot help and an inspiration. Keep up the good work.

oldfogey
01-31-2009, 12:29 PM
I won't use up a lot of space here but anyone wanting to know more about me can look up my Newsvine column listed in my signature. I also have a Wikipedia spot "Jerry Firman". I have been in or around the computer, ADP, or similar equipment since mid 50's. I founded and published a Community weekly newspaper. Went daily for 90 days and almost lost my shirt. Three Vietnam tours. Japan in the old days. Carpenter from age 9. Built first house with old craftsman at age 15. Built and restored many personal residences. Manufactured antique furniture for a while. Anybody don't believe me can ask jcorder.

Tom75
03-21-2009, 10:05 PM
OK i never know what to say when asked to Tell little about my self so this will be the first here goes . at the age of 33 i have had Meany jobs i worked as a dish washer , floor technician , auto detailer , counter top maker and naw i work in a deli as a meat cutter and also work in prepared foods (stop & shop ) . wood working has been a hobby and a love for me from a very young age . i graduated from high school / vocational with a certificate in carpentry and cabinet making . i also like to do some metal work / welding . i just about like any thing that is mechanical moving parts . like to try to fix any thing just to see Howe it works . thats about all i can come up with . so all have a good night stay safe and keep the chips and dust flying .
Tom H.

elfritzer
03-22-2009, 07:55 AM
One of my best friends brought me his carvewright machine about six weeks ago. He had purchased it two years ago. He said, "It's been sitting on the shelf since the day I got it, Want to give it a try?" I said I would love to, so I read the manual, and studied the online material, and got up the gumption to fire the bad boy up. Two hours later, I blew the power supply. Tech support was great, but I must admit, I thought two hours was a little soon for a failure. Nine hours after the new power supply, the board sensor pooped out. I'm thinking this machine is a piece of dog doo, but I replaced the sensor, and still had some problems. Once again, tech support was great. I decided to lube the cutting shaft because of posts I had read, and to do a thorough cleaning of the machine. When my friend dropped off the machine, there was only a 1/8 cutting bit with it, and I had to order a 1/16 carving bit . While I was cleaning the machine, I noticed something behind the card slot that looked out of place. It was the protective sleeve for the carving bit! Further inspection revealed the bit itself! I think it was the cause of my problems. I have carved several signs with it since, without a problem. Sorry I called the machine a piece of crap. ELFRITZER

Jeff_Birt
03-22-2009, 09:10 AM
Welcome to the forum. After sitting for a couple of years it was good you did a thorough cleaning and lubrication. Good job on finding the lost carving bit as well. Since your machine is a generation 1 like mine you'll find that CarveWright has upgraded a few parts in that period of time. Most notably the board sensors are now sealed and the Z-motor pack is more rugged.

Be sure to download the latest version of Designer and check out the Tips&Tricks under the support tab on the main website.

chebytrk
03-22-2009, 05:34 PM
I have NO experience in woodcrafting ! My life (on my own) started at age 17when I joined the Army. Stayed in for 20 yrs and retired in '90. Stayed with communications in a Telecom company up until last week when I was told I was being let go. I sure thought I could have lasted 5 more years where I could have retired at 62!.... oh well. The man upstairs must have other plans for me so we'll see. My wife saw the CW commerical last year and bought it for me for Xmas. I had never seen it or heard of it. As a young soldier when we came home on leave to her house I used to see Bird House magazines that her dad had laying around. I was impressed the way people went in to detail with building them. I had always told her that I've always wanted to build bird houses. ha maybe now I will! I'm still very much a "newbie", but am very impressed with the willingness of everyone here to help and even share .mpc's! I built my first "eagle clock" and that was fine, except I tried a different stain that was a bad choice, so I'm going to try that again. I've just finished the "Tea Box" and am pretty proud of that. I'm giving it to my mother for her 80th birthday next month. My mother-in-law now wants one too! ha ha I feel very humbled and honored to know a little about the people on this forum. One can almost feel the power in the vast knowledge that everyone has here.

wasacop75
03-22-2009, 08:43 PM
After starting to remodel houses in 1980, i decided to start building them in 2000. Now lots of houses later, and doing my own trim work, the loml has told me i will not be building unless its a pre-sold with someone else's money. With over 34 yrs in the military and only 8 to go to 60...well 8 1/2.
brother in law told me about this machine he has seen at the indianapolis wood working shows so i got online, talked to Jason when he was in arkansas and bought.
Have three projects completed, lots of scraps that were suppose to be projects. and learning every day.:eek:

jab73180
10-25-2009, 08:34 AM
i am by no means as skilled as everybody here. i am more of a rough builder. i have experience in metal working: mig and arc welding, plasma cutting, oxy acetylene cutting, oxy mapp gas cutting, a whole lot of grinding, cutting, fitting, welding. i have experience in woodworking, mostly stick building. i have mechanical interests also. i do all my own maintenance on my vehicles, in fact i work in a GM shop selling auto parts. i sell to everyone, but try to cater to body shops. i have done body work but dont care for it very much. if need be i will put that hat on too. i have worked for a couple public works departments. A lot of street maintenance and snow plowing. my first job right out of high school was working in a junk yard stripping parts of junk cars and trucks. i stripped engines and vehicles when i worked there. after that i went to work with my dad at a public works dept. i was on the recycle truck there and shoveling snow, i was still green so didnt get behind the wheel of any equipment. i left there and went to another public works dept. and got more experience. i worked on the recycle truck there, garbage truck after a while and then worked into the road crew after a while. i plowed roads and parking lots in the winter and we reconstructed roads in the summer. i left there after 5 years and went to a small construction company that had big equipment. i drove a beautiful brand new sterling tri axle dump truck. i also operated all of their equipment from bull dozers to loaders and excavators. in the winter i had a pick up i plowed driveways with and i got another job doing building maintenance. i did that for a while and got the job i have now. i have been here for 3 years now and its a pretty good job. still get some flak for no reason from the boss, i guess it is all in good fun. in between all my jobs at nights and weekends i have been doing side carpentry work. i have built houses, sheds, workshops, cabins, etc. I like to be a jack of all trades because if something happens in the field i am in, i can just switch to the next field. I think it makes me worth more. i like fine woodworking, although i am not good at it yet. i am only set up right now for small work, but plan to expand my horizon to cabinets and such. In fact i think my buddy wants to buy a house and restore and sell it and make some real money. My train of thought was the carvewright will help me tremendously with my woodworking venture. anytime i can get a computer to carve something out instead of me, its gonna turn out way better.

rjustice
03-11-2010, 09:31 PM
We havent heard anythign from the "newbies" for a while... we really enjoy reading these and getting to know you ! :)

Feel free to share with us!

Happy Carving,

Ron

JDPratt
03-12-2010, 12:41 PM
I don't know exactly what constitutes a "newbie", but I am sure I qualify compared to many on here. I have been trying to figure this machine out for a year now and I fear Mastery is unobtainable. I started woodworking when I was about 7 under the expert tutelage of my Grandfather (no power tools allowed). I learned a lot of design from my Father who is a draftsman by trade. I have always enjoyed mixing up ideas and mediums in my woodworking, such as metal with wood or stretching the limits of what is capable with wood. Most of my work is one-offs that I will never duplicate. I attended college with a major in Mortuary science and tried my hand at working in a funeral home, but it bored me to no end. Joined the Army for the adventure and found I really liked the outdoor aspect of the Infantry and the excitement of the training and deployments (although not always fun). It also allowed me to travel a lot and see different woodworking techniques around the world. After retirement I was lucky enough to use my passion for woodworking and knowledge of carpentry/metal working/etc to get a job as a woodworker/carpenter for the Army. The biggest reason The CW intrigued me was the ability to quickly do what I was previously doing with hand carving and scroll saw. The biggest drawback for me is my limited (okay, non-existent) knowledge of computers and tech stuff. My neighbor cannot understand my obsession with wood and I cannot understand his obsession and patience working on cars. Cars repair and restoration seems tedious to me, however I have been known to stare at a piece of wood, studying the grain patterns for several hours before making the first cut. Hopefully, one day I will understand this machine better. Thank goodness for the wealth and breadth of knowledge that is so quickly shared on this site. Without it, I would have reverted back to my old ways long ago. Happy carving!!

James RS
03-12-2010, 04:09 PM
I have been a screenprinter for 27 years and I own a small Sound and Light company also.
I supply bands in the area and enjoy it, my machine I say I learn something new every day I open this forum, I've used it to assist in building some speaker cabinets and small carvings.

Capt Bruce
03-13-2010, 08:50 AM
What a fascinating thread, and how have I missed this in about a year of lurking and reading.

Stepping up to the plate . . . I grew up following my career Navy Dad around the world. Lived on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Came back to the US to finish my last year of High School and learn more about my nation for once. Picked CIT for college. Met my first computer there (think boxes of punch cards) but more importantly met and married the mother of my children. I studied Industrial Design in college and supported my wife and child as a bagpiper while at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now that’s dating one’s age.)

Enlisted in the Navy during Viet Nam, trained at OCS and was commissioned in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. As a Seabee I built bridges, buildings, airfields, schools, camps and piers and learned from every skilled craftsman I served with over the next 31 years of active and reserve service. I commanded the 21st Naval Mobile Construction Battalion and Engineering Field Division Atlantic. My final tour was in the Military Support to Civilian Authorities line as a Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer. That work introduced me to counter terrorism and disaster recovery supporting FEMA. I retired as a Captain in 2001.

Genealogy confirmed I was from a line of woodworkers, military, craftsmen and patternmakers with Scottish roots (we also hanged witches in Salem.) My Dad helped me build my first kayak at age 8 and I carved, painted and drew everything I saw around the world. Sailing and navigation seemed second nature having grown up with the ocean always close by. One grandfather had built the Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories above Los Angeles working with Hale and Hubble. His work chest of handmade tools was my inspiration and touchstone to my past.


In several parallel civilian careers I designed toilets, cast iron and fiberglass tubs, brass fittings and luxury trim for Eljer Plumbingware. You may own a few of my designs at home. That also kept my travel urge going on four continents and evolved into Quality Assurance work and the early days of personal computers starting with a Trash 80. Next firm was Nordson Corporation leading QA and world wide data systems. In both cases the economy tanked and as many of you have experienced I was “outsourced into retirement” as they politely say. Engineers, designers and QA are always somewhat expendable (ask Toyota these days how that worked out for them.)

Nearing my sixties I took stock and determined I was not ready to be “retired”, and had gained the greatest sense of personal fulfillment helping those in need following natural and manmade disasters. The new FEMA looked like the place to be. I applied, saw it was going to take a while to break in and went to work as a side paddle-wheel Riverboat Captain at Stone Mountain Park. I had a blast among happy families (my avatar and nickname). There are a few days during disasters I’d like to be out there on the lake again but that may come again someday.

To keep me off the streets I design and build furniture, make and collect knives, draw, design and develop in CAD and have finally built the basement workshop I've wanted my whole travelling life. It's so good to finally land in one spot and have all the tools you've always wanted.

FEMA was kind enough to accept my application and I now lead Public Assistance forces in Recovery for the eight southeastern states where we combine blizzards, hurricanes, fires and tornadoes with a dash of droughts and flooding. It’s interesting to read here how we and our careers evolve over time and like others I’m enjoying this my ninth (and I think final) career more than anything I’ve ever done.

The CarveWright caught my imagination and like others it combined all my PC and wood crafting interests at just the right time. You have all helped shorten my learning curve and have become friends and trusted advisors as I again learn something new every day. I hope I too will contribute something to the collective knowledge that is the Forum (even if it’s only what not to do if you want to keep this ship off the rocks). I am in awe of the creativity seen here every day. With my grateful thanks to all those who have served our nation, for your unselfishly shared wisdom, sense of humor and willingness to welcome and assist us Newbies in the CW/CC club!

Very respectfully,

will george
03-13-2010, 11:18 AM
I've been a Policeman since 1968 and STILL have 2 years to go before I hang it up....

You may not like my reply. My Son tried so hard to be a Policeman. He REALLY wanted to be one. However, he was never chosen after a few years of trying. I'd think he is too 'Layed back' and not agressive enough. Not a type 'A' male. He is very smart but never forceful.

I sure was happy that he never got that job. It can be a very dangerous. I want my Son alive. But then again, many men/women do it, and love it.

But then again, I could not do that work either. I would really get upset at mean folks and as a Policeman I could not just walk away to avoid conflict. I did a bit of Boxing in the Army but that does not make me a 'fighter'.

Thanks to our Police and Firefighters!

will george
03-13-2010, 12:16 PM
.... this is an extraordinary group of people.. YES we are!

As to my skills.. I consider myself a mechanic. Yes, a humble grease monkey. I have no problem with dirt under my nails and scraped up hands and fingers. In fact, I love it!

Mostly self-taught here by trying different things. I try anything at least once. Some I became good at. ALOT no so good at...

As a boy, I made all sorts of stuff from old Orange Crates and my little old hammer and some used nails that I collected at the local dump.. I had to hammer most of the nails straight again before I could use them... My brother and I made many LARGE firecrackers using chemicals, no child OR adult, can get anymore.

As a child, I was always in trouble for taking things apart. OK, only for the ones I never got back together in working order. As in my grandfathers railroad pocket watch. He was really mad at me.

And then I became a bit older and inlisted in the USA Army (1960?). I took all the tests for aptitude and they wanted me to be a Radio Operator. I flunked the Morse Code test so I was made an Ordnance Mechanic for the Self Propelled Artillery. BIG GUNS! I was given a NEW M88 Recovery Vehicle!

http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/modern/m88/m88.htm

I was in HEAVEN! What a big/expensive toy to play with!

Anyway, I found my bride so I had to leave the Army so I went to College as my new bride worked. I tool electrical engineering and I was hooked again!

My new bride bought me a ALTIAR 8800 computer kit:

http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://userwww.sfsu.edu/%7Ehl/c.altairs.html

I then had to find a old Teletype machine so I could adapt the paper tape punch to load a startup program into the 8800.

http://www.vintage-computer.com/asr33.shtml

OH what fun it was! Then I found out that I needed TTL chips to adapt the reader/punch to the 8800. I bought the Texas Instruments book on TTL..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TTL_Clock.jpg

More fun...

Then we had babies so I had to give up everything except the wife and children! Not so bad... I then got a new job with my employer designing test circuits for electronic circuit boards.

More Fun!

Then after 45 years of working I got downsized.. I then went back to woodworking! And finally saved enought money to get my CW!

More Fun.. My CW machine has been, mostly, OK!

EDIT: I forgot to say.. I bought a Singer Inspiration sewing machine. Not the best they have but little money these days. I now have to sew the canopy cloth for my two chinese style canopy beds I have made. I think I post in here someplace some while back. Not that good at sewing a straight line yet. But getting better at it!

jamjam
03-14-2010, 12:49 AM
[QUOTE=The "DH";47125]Hello Everyone,
Can’t believe I missed this one myself. I’ve been watching the forum for well over a year now. Anyway here it goes. I was raised mostly by my grandparents and learned woodworking from my grandfather he past way and an older gentleman took me under his wing and taught me how to work stone and electronics; I went to vocational school for welding. Then decided I had enough of the small coal mining town and quit high school to join the Navy.
I can’t tell you how many different things I learned throughout my 20 plus years of service but they are all paying off now that I’m retired. I did manage to earn two degrees while on active duty one in Health Care Management and one in Health Science Technologies. My shop started back in 01 when my best friend’s wife said I should make the guys dartboard cabinets for x-mas, up until that point I was just doing odd stuff around the house, after that point however it’s been none stop (still not very serious at this point yet). So when it came time to retire from the Navy last year my wife and I had a hard choice to make either take the secure high paying job with a big hospital or start over with my own shop. It has only been 7 months since my retirement and business has been getting better all the time so I went from enjoying what I did to loving what I do, and I have my wife and closest friends to thank for their support and belief in my abilities. To top it all off I’m still only 38 just beginning another life adventure.
Take Care and Happy Carving[/QU

Hello
I was just looking at your web site, for a person around 40 years old, you have alot of skills and creativity. I was amazed at the quantity of the products you produce. I just got my CW machine last month i completed one project just to make sure it worked ok, I read the carvewright forum every day. I retired from Gereral Electric and Honeywell as a Senior Evaluation Tech. I also worked for Micro Switch and evaluated all types of switches and electronic sensors.

Keep up the good work,
John Mesner

Smoken D
03-14-2010, 02:28 PM
I was a cop, dad was a cop, great-uncle was a cop--all on Kansas City Mo PD. Was a detective for over 20 years & worked little over 1,600 homicides around 300 were kids 12 and under. Family history all cops back to Peter Brown on the Mayflower who was constable in London. When I retired in 2000 last cop in family.
Also in Army and so was wife. She was a Lt. me just a Buck Sgt. She outranked me then and remindes me she still outranks me!:roll:
DON'T ASK AND I WON'T TELL:-D

Capt Bruce
03-14-2010, 02:56 PM
She was a Lt. me just a Buck Sgt. She outranked me then and remindes me she still outranks me!:roll:
:-D

I know just what you mean. I may have been a Captain in a former life but she is definitely the Admiral. Yes Sir, Mamm!

F.C. White
03-14-2010, 03:29 PM
Myself, well.... I came here to research and try to decide if the CW machine is worth the price considering the headaches everyone's endured with this product. So far, I've come to the conclusion you have to be nuts to take on a piece of equipment that's not quite "THERE" on quality design and try and force it to work for you inside and outside it's limitations, but.... that's pretty much what I've done with every piece of equipment I've ever owned. NOTHING is designed to do what I WANT IT TO DO. I've always had to take things apart, reinvent the wheel, as it were, and force something to react outside it's intended paramenters. So, I'm think'n this tool is simply NEXT IN LINE of one of many I've got in my resources to do what it is I do.

And to answer that last lead in statement, well... I'm a sculptor/engineer/mechanic/fabricator/computor tech/drafter/construction administrator/pilot/hawg rider/chopper designer & builder/photographer/graphics illustrator/commercial artist/musician/ex-army sniper/ex-army fire direction control for artillery, SAM's and tactical nukes/open water scuba diver/environmental, health, and safety consultant/DAD to three grown boys and "Grumpy" to three darl'n granddaughters..... and my greatest passion is in foundry doing statuary art, both bronze and aluminum cast... i.e., jack of many trades, master of few. But all of'em cross over in some way or another and augment the other which has kept me in a forward momentum all through life.

Indeed, there's a group here I admire of their skills, determination and articulation in voicing their ideas and theories in how to make something work and react outside its design. This is what I do... it's my nature to stretch the envelope of what others have done. "If man created it, I can certainly modify it to my liking."

I hope to be one of the crew here that's patricipant in work'n a CW machine in the near future. Hopefully, by early summer. Till then, I'll be lurk'n and read'n and imagining ways to put the CW machine to practical and imaginative application.

Hope, too, I'll be able to get to know many of you here and share in this unique experience of nursemaiding an "almost right" semi professional/personal/hobby... i.e. reasonably affordable, CNC wood working machine.

Cheers,

Frank

TIMCOSBY
03-15-2010, 12:37 AM
stuff sometime is it hard to master? the other 14 thousand owners just dont post their rants about how good it works.


i am an owner of a small land surveying buss. in lower alabama. also woodwork/sawmill/graphic arts/photgraphy/draftsman from way back/private pilot/fish/camp/travel/scuba dive/chopper builder you can see the progress of the chop at facebook under my name and under reptile bike in photos you shouldnt have to freind me to see the pics.

lawrence
03-15-2010, 11:56 PM
I'm a Master Sergeant in the Air Force- I currently serve as an aircrew member on the EC-130H at Davis Monthan have a couple thousand hours flying around in RC-135s as well. My job is one thing, but I'm proud to say that my expertise and duty is mentoring and supervising young Airmen and junior officers.

I love the life, enjoy the job, but am truly honored as all get-out to serve with these young men and women who fill the junior enlisted ranks. There may be some out there that question the fortitude of the newest generation but I am not one of them; I see their determination and grit every day.

I have enjoyed reading your expertises very much as well,
V/r
Lawrence

CarverJerry
03-16-2010, 06:55 AM
Ok, well I guess it's about time I stepped up to the plate and said a little about myself. I have been a machinist for over 30 years, made just about everything under the sun from nuclear boilers to parts on the hubble telescope which are still floating out in space somewhere. I have 3 patents in the medical field and even owned a Segway touring business in Florida. Then came the grandchildren....moved back to Ohio to be with them since we couldn't convince the daughter to move. Went to work for an aircraft wheel and brake then an English company (Meggitt Aircraft) bought the company and moved it to Mexico, another job taken from the Americans. (I'll stop on that note) So now I'm laid off, almost old enough to retire but still have a couple of years to go... Got my CW and my goal is to learn it and reproduce a guitar and make some signs. Love the work that LG does but I'll never get to his level. I've played guitar for many years, and still learning!! Music, wood working, camping and family are about the only things I truly love. My extended family here on the forum are some of my best buddies. Thanks for all the help you guys give us. That about sums up my life, man life goes by really fast when you put things on paper (or computer). :rolleyes:

Sshanks
03-27-2010, 03:15 AM
If anyone needs help on choosing what beverage goes with which carving, that’s where I come in!.. I am a Sommelier at one of the biggest hotel/casinos on the Vegas strip. My nights are filled with suggesting, serving, and tasting wine. My mornings tend to involve a lot of saw dust- along with the occasional finished product. I look forward to my education in carving from all of you!

gitrbldr
07-06-2010, 04:36 PM
musician for 30 years. attender the "Galloup school of Luthrie" 5 years ago and have been building and repairing string instruments every since including orchestral strings as well.

lhanner
07-06-2010, 05:19 PM
I am a disabled army vet. Serving with 101st Air bourne Div, 6yrs total I was Staff Sgt. I was 11b Infantry.
School;s attented while in the Army.
Jump school
Sniper school
Air assult school
Nucular, Bio, Chemical School(NBC)
Anphibious Warfare
Recon-school
I earned my CBI Badge with Company C 1st BLT 1st Brgd 327th in veitnam 1972 where i was wonded by an anti-personal mine.
After several sergeries both ears, left and right, knee,legs,feet. The army put me on disabled status and released me.
I came back home and went to the employment office to get a job. The man told me to list all the tranning I had. I listed all the above schools.
He looked at my application and said nothing for about 5 min. and then he looked at me and said "The only thing you qualifiy for is a hit-man for the mofia, and I don't thing their hiring",
So I started collage and after 6 yrs of collage and surgeries in between I finaly got my degree in computer science. I worked as a programmer for GM, and programer and site admin. for Columbia Forest Products. They sold out to Mohawk, and I retired. Now I do woodworking and I love my CW although I was about ready to smash it to #$$%%. I got the ROCK CHUCK and am happy.

chebytrk
07-06-2010, 06:33 PM
I am a disabled army vet. Serving with 101st Air bourne Div, 6yrs total I was Staff Sgt. I was 11b Infantry.
School;s attented while in the Army.
Jump school
Sniper school
Air assult school
Nucular, Bio, Chemical School(NBC)
Anphibious Warfare
Recon-school
I earned my CBI Badge with Company C 1st BLT 1st Brgd 327th in veitnam 1972 where i was wonded by an anti-personal mine.
After several sergeries both ears, left and right, knee,legs,feet. The army put me on disabled status and released me.
I came back home and went to the employment office to get a job. The man told me to list all the tranning I had. I listed all the above schools.
He looked at my application and said nothing for about 5 min. and then he looked at me and said "The only thing you qualifiy for is a hit-man for the mofia, and I don't thing their hiring",
So I started collage and after 6 yrs of collage and surgeries in between I finaly got my degree in computer science. I worked as a programmer for GM, and programer and site admin. for Columbia Forest Products. They sold out to Mohawk, and I retired. Now I do woodworking and I love my CW although I was about ready to smash it to #$$%%. I got the ROCK CHUCK and am happy.

Welcome Brother! You're definately among a good bunch of people here that are always willing to help. I've got many ol' buddies who went thru the same thing as you and it burns me up every time I hear it. Our Gov't leaders sure needed us to do certain things that many wouldn't dare or didn't have the "nads" to do. So they trained some of us well and when they finished with us, they didn't have any more use.... However, they don't realize that we were also taught to "Adapt and Overcome" as the saying goes in the Marines and that's what all military members do. Not all, but many many of our Gov't leaders are like that and haven't served a day in their life in the military. Some people just don't get it and don't know just how much is given for our country by members of our mililtary. Anyway, glad you're on board and Thanks for your service....
JerryB
US Army (Ret)

TerryT
07-22-2012, 06:53 PM
This thread is pretty old but I wanted to bring it back up so some of the new guys can learn a little about the old timers. We now have the "Introduce yourself" thread but that is fairly new. This one has us old timers.

I would hate to see this get lost. The post from BadBert in "Introduce Yourself" just reminded me of this one.

Canemaker
07-22-2012, 08:10 PM
My experience is very limited to most of you, but everone has to start somewhere.

I am truely new to woodworking and a craftsman as a hobby. Having skipped shop class and woodworking class in High School, I didn't pickup a hammer until my wife and I started working on our first house project in my late 30's. I wanted to make something special for my parents for Christmas several years ago and started a year long project. After talking to several friends that make pool cues for a living I was turned on to the use of a Gorton 3U industrial pantograph. Searched the world over and found one locally and purchased it. I wasn't interested in making pool cues (although I have the knowledge and skills that I learned from my friends) so I decieded to make walking canes instead. I used my metal lathe and pantograph to make patterns for inlays, turnings and joints to make everything work. (Trail by error). The cane turned out beautifully and is hung on display in my parents house. (hopefully no one will ever really need to use it) At the top of the cane is my parents full names, dates of birth and marriage date carved and inlayed. Down the shaft and around the cane is inlayed all the full names and dates of birth for all eight children. The handle even has an ivory inlayed with chrimshaw. The handle is black walnut and the shaft of the cane is rosewood. Other than this and several other canes that I have made is the extent of my woodworking history.
I have tried plasma cutting, welding, stain glass and now woodworking with my carvewright. The carvewright has enlightened me to new avenues and adventures.

My wife and I have been collecting arthitectural antiques and molds for the past 30 years and plan on incorporating them into woodworking using the carvewright.

John

ladjr
07-22-2012, 08:54 PM
Welcome John. I have made several Cane for Seniors at my Mother in laws retirement home. Would love to see a picture of yours sound exceptopnal.

chebytrk
07-23-2012, 07:51 AM
Hey Leo,
I sure would like to see some of the canes you've carved. It's something that I've always been interested in, but have never tried. Do you have the Roll Jig or are you just carving out a 2 sided carve for the canes and then "glue up" to make it one piece. Sounds interesting.......


Welcome John. I have made several Cane for Seniors at my Mother in laws retirement home. Would love to see a picture of yours sound exceptopnal.

Carl H
12-04-2012, 11:07 PM
My experience has been mainly with the scroll saw.
I have some project design experience. I use desktop publishing software to do most of my designs so the transition to the Carvewright software was not too much of a stretch.

It is going to be a slower transition moving from the two dimensions I did scrolling, into the 3D world.
I was fortunate enough to have a few projects published in Scrollsaw Woodworking and Crafts. That allowed me to buy an Excalibur scroll saw.

I have been saving for the CarveWright for several years, and something always came up and the money went. But I have it now. I initially thought I wouldn't need a cutting but and I would cut with the scrollsaw, but I now see how much I would benefit from a cutting bit.

Retirement is just around the corner and I hope to supplement my income with signs, designs, and whatever else I can produce, I know the sky is the limit. I was working on a small book of toy patterns for scrolling and I may convert those to CarveWright. So many more options available now.

TerryT
12-05-2012, 08:57 AM
Welcome to the forum Carl. I would suggest getting the cutting bit, however, even though I have several of them I do most of my cutouts on the band saw and/or scroll saw. It is usually faster. There are those times that only the cutting bit will work though. Good luck and we hope to see some of your work.

fwharris
12-05-2012, 09:38 AM
Carl,

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing your work and designs. Along with the 1/8" cutting bit you might also look at the 1/16" cutting bit. It is for 1/4" thin stock.

https://store.carvewright.com/product.php?productid=18825&cat=291&page=1

dehrlich
12-10-2012, 05:35 PM
I don't know if I am an expert at anything, but I have built a lot of jewelry boxes, blanket chests and about anything else from head boards to tables to saddle stands and dog food stands. I have been woodworking for some 25 years now. I am a disabled Deserts Storm vet (US Army 1st Inf Division), a musician (BA in music from Kansas State University) and I write a lot of Christian music. I know a lot about lumber and sell quite a bit of it locally and online. I have over 100 species of woods available from all over the world. You can take a look at my work at www.kansaswood.com (http://www.kansaswood.com)

Digitalwoodshop
12-10-2012, 06:48 PM
I sit around the Matag Repair Shop all day on the Computer waiting for a Forum Troubleshooting Post....

AL Who... LOL...