A problem was reported in the thread, <http://www.carvewright.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8013>, where a board caught was reported to have caught fire. We have discovered that this problem was caused by the use of a ½” straight bit. Although the ½” straight bit is listed in the Designer software, no CarveWright ½” bits have been released and therefore the ½” straight bit was not supported.

Several users have reported more minor burning issues, and our experience suggests that this is primarily a result of bit condition or in some cases the material being cut. However, we are looking into the quality problems described, and if verified will provide improvements in future software releases.

In light of the problems described, we at LHR feel it is important to reiterate the following information:

Do Not Run the CarveWright Machine Unattended
The CarveWright Woodworking System is an automated tool and cannot adapt to quality issues such as burning. A variety of issues including bit type, bit condition, wood type, and wood moisture level can affect the quality of cuts. For these reasons, as specified in the manual, the CarveWright Woodworking System should never be run unattended. Further should smoking or extreme vibration be observed, the user should immediately halt the operation of the CarveWright.

Use Only CarveWright Bits
The CarveWright Woodworking System should only be used with CarveWright branded bits. CarveWright bits are selected because they are plungeable, and the CarveWright machine is optimized to run with these bits. LHR cannot warrant the use of none CarveWright bits due to the wide variations in styles and quality of other manufacturers.

Maintain Bits in Good Condition
Bits should be maintained in good condition; dull or chipped bits should be replaced. Bits should be kept clean with pitch or gum removers. Our experience and research suggests that bits have 100-200ft lifetime, when cutting double-sided cuts. However, your mileage will vary based on the materials you are cutting and specific bit profiles.

Material Heating and Handling
Like many woodworking tools, the CarveWright Woodworking System employs a high speed cutter to shape the wood. Due to the high speeds and qualities of the woods being cut, heating of the wood and chips/sawdust is a possibility. Therefore, operation of the machine must be monitored and care must be taken when handling or disposing of the sawdust. Allow sawdust to cool prior to disposal.