The future of the CarveWright...

[DurhamDev]

This is basically the thought process of someone who bought his machine a couple of weeks ago, and hasn't stopped thinking and creating stuff to create on it since.

First, are the CW Staff considering building a larger footprint machine in the future? With the competitive pricing of the present unit, is there consideration for a machine that can create items up to 24" in width? (It's a semi-standard measurement, sort of.)

Second, and probably the question that is most important in my mind, is there a plan in the works to update the software so that the machine can intelligently determine large carve areas, and request a larger size bit (if available) to carve out these regions? I can see a lot of applications for this, where the 1/16" bit would be able to carve out enough detail surrounding a large carve area, and then, request a switch up to a 1/4" or even a 1/2" flat bit. (Hmm - now that I'm thinking to myself, I believe this could be accomplished by manually massaging the cut areas inside the Designer... If anyone can confirm, I'd appreciate it!)

Anyway, that's where I'm at. I LOVE this machine, and think it's an amazing piece of technology. (So much, that my Wife has just approved my plan for a 10'x16' workshop in the backyard... ...so that's what I worked on designing tonight.)

Thanks, LHR, for an amazing piece of technology!

Rick // The DurhamDev

[TIMCOSBY]

due to engineering problems it has to be 12'x20'!!! that would be my story and i would stick to it.

[Digitalwoodshop]

The machine is designed and Priced for the Hobby Market. As such, it does have limitations as compared to the big boys. That being said, it does a FANTASTIC job in what it is capable of today. Then there is the software and "WHO" it is being marketed to.... NEW USERS of CNC's on a LIMITED BUDGET with FREE Designer that is a VERY USER FRIENDLY program that does have some limitations.

Yes, we have all thought that it would be nice for a 24 or 48 inch version of the CW.... One thing is the WEIGHT.... It would change the way the units are serviced and sold... Just packing it up and sending it to LHR would not be possible... Or at least not as easy.... We would see the formation of the Mobile Technician.... Someone making House Calls..... Or something like that.... Or knowing LHR and it's Innovation..... It could be something like a Video Technician.... They send you a Video Camera and a USB box that sets you up for a "GO TO MEETING" and you set up the camera at the machine and the Tech at LHR asks you to do things while he watches and listens... Doing the Troubleshooting by WIRE..... I can see LHR doing this....

Then there is HOGGING out more WOOD.... Well, the machine does have limitations..... More Hogging = More METAL...= More Cost.... The BIG BOYS have that market pretty much covered for $10K and UP....

SOMEONE needed to come to market with a HOBBY GRADE MACHINE.... And I am Glad it was LHR.... I think in the long run the relationship with Sears and the "Turn in your Machine" with every error code has hurt the reputation of the machine. If users did not have the "Turn In" option they would be more incline to take the steps to learn to troubleshoot the machine and the error codes and failures.... It is all about learning the machine... If you still turn in the machine today with every error, then you are missing out on the JOY of fixing it.... Nothing on the machine is hard to fix... Unless there is a broken housing or frame, any machine can be fixed.

Pretty much at this time, the majority of the users are incline to FIX the machine and the people who don't want to mess with learning repairs have the Sears Warranty and just drop the machine off at the shop like getting your Tires Rotated or Oil changed... Not a bad thing but it takes longer and you don't get the satisfaction of fixing it yourself....

OK... Stepping off the Soap Box.....

Good Luck and WELCOME to the Forum !!!!

AL

[Fletcher]

DurhamDev may be on to something here. None of this is meant to be critical of the current CW, just to think on the evolution of a nice compact hobby level machine. Bare with me here for a minute, I'm not totally crazy.

Based on the current CW design, how difficult would it be to just make it 10" wider? Cut the machine down the center(in design terms of course!) when looking at it with the lcd panel on the left, make the casting wider, the y-rail longer, the rollers longer, etc. No major redesign as far as function goes but heck, while you're at it, make that z-rail an inch longer too for deeper carves. This would only add 10 inches to the width and a few more pounds of weight which shouldn't be detrimental to the shipping cost. It would also "kick it up a notch" as far as projects go while still remaining in the hobby realm.... Hhmmm, new headboard anyone? How about a center panel for a custom front door for your house, in one piece?

LHR being what they are, are onto this, or something similar for sure. Every good company evolves their product line, or they wither away and die. Look how your product line is evolving Al... GREAT to see by the way!

Again, not critical thoughts, just thoughts for conversation sakes...

[PCW]

DurhamDev may be on to something here. None of this is meant to be critical of the current CW, just to think on the evolution of a nice compact hobby level machine. Bare with me here for a minute, I'm not totally crazy.


LHR being what they are, are onto this, or something similar for sure. Every good company evolves their product line, or they wither away and die. Look how your product line is evolving Al... GREAT to see by the way!
Again, not critical thoughts, just thoughts for conversation sakes...

Fletcher you are a designer by trade and I know you can see into the future. Thumbs Up

The only problem I see is keeping it at a reasonable shipping weight. Shipping is a killer now a days. I would be willing to bet that LHR will offer one in the future but with a lot of really cool stuff added.

If you get some time please post some pictures here of the six string that you have in the works. I would love to see where you are on it now.

[lynnfrwd]

(Putting on my marketing and sales cap now....)

You guys are our best sales tool! Word of mouth is everything and pictures are worth a thousand words.

Promote CW everywhere you can, so we can finance the research and development of these great ideas!!!!

See new thread...coming soon! (I'm winking at you!)

[Capt Bruce]

I'd like to add another vote for the 24" wide version to be able to craft door panels and whole signs that wide in one pass. Yes it would be a long slow pass at current system stepping but would be worth it for the total project time savings. Shipping costs are a one time payment versus matching glue-ups that have to be done after all the carving with the attendant risk of messing up already carved components. Just my thoughts for what it's worth.

[gregsolano]

As another newbee I am sure this has been asked but why would LHR not have dust collection built in. I just cut and installed fletchers dust collection and it works great but why did I have to take a brand new machine and cut a hole in the lid and add dust collection to a machine that obviously needs it so it should have had it from the begining? Just my two cents.

[DurhamDev]

I'd like to add another vote for the 24" wide version to be able to craft door panels and whole signs that wide in one pass.

Hear, hear!

(Putting on my marketing and sales cap now....) You guys are our best sales tool! Word of mouth is everything and pictures are worth a thousand words. Promote CW everywhere you can, so we can finance the research and development of these great ideas!!!! See new thread...coming soon! (I'm winking at you!)

That's the one where my idea netted me a free "CarveWright D-Class", am I right?

<wink>

[PCW]

As another newbee I am sure this has been asked but why would LHR not have dust collection built in. I just cut and installed fletchers dust collection and it works great but why did I have to take a brand new machine and cut a hole in the lid and add dust collection to a machine that obviously needs it so it should have had it from the begining? Just my two cents.

My quess and it's only a quess is.... It may have something to do with UL standards. It's hard to keep everyone happy.